Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
Who:
The scholarship funds outstanding leaders who have strong records of public or community service and who plan careers in governmental, non-profit, or educational organizations. As long as your GPA is about a 3.5, a demonstrated record of significant leadership and public service are likely to weigh as heavily as scholastic excellence. Do not underestimate the importance of academic and intellectual achievement, however.
Eligibility Limitations:
U.S. citizens who are college juniors of high academic standing and who plan careers in public service. U.S. nationals from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are also eligible, as are those from Puerto Rico. At a minimum, you must be in the upper quarter of your junior class, except for residents of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa or the Northern Marianas who must be in their senior class. Brandeis University is limited to 4 nominations per year but may not necessarily endorse the maximum number of candidates each year.
Where:
Graduate Study in the United States. MPA/MPP, JD, MEd, MIA, MPH and master's or doctorate degrees in fields in which most graduates go into public service preferred.
Duration:
Scholars receive $2,000 in their senior year and $24,000 for graduate school studies.
Application Requirements:
A pre-application competition is held in the fall to determine our Brandeis nominees. The pre-app can be downloaded below. Only our official nominees must complete the entire Truman application.
Campus Deadline (for the pre-application):
October 26, 2007
Campus Interviews:
Mid November
Final Deadline (for our Official Nominees):
February 5, 2008
Notification:
March 25, 2008
Who applies nationwide?
Approximately 600 students are nominated each year, and about 220 receive interviews. 75-80 Truman Scholars are ultimately chosen.
Typical Essay Questions:
The Truman application is one of the most extensive documents of its kind. Fortunately, the Foundation also actively supports Truman candidates with guidance and suggestions for completing the personal statement and policy proposal. Go to http://www.truman.gov/potential_guidance.html to get a good sense of the application and what it entails.
Contact:
http://www.truman.gov/welcome.html
Recent Brandeis University Winners:
Josh Rosenthal '07 is a Truman Finalist! Congratulations to Toby Harris '05. He joins Jonathan Sclarsic '03, Lisa Cloutier '02, Wendi Adelson '01, Stephen Rabin '00 as our most recent Truman Scholar!