Please refer to the Nationally Competitive Scholarships homepage for the most up-to-date information. For all scholarships, contact Mychal Machado at mmachado2@alaska.edu if you have questions, to make an appointment, or to request information.

Information for Applicants

• Eligibility

  Applicants must be:

  • Seniors who will have completed their undergraduate degree before August 1 of their scholarship enrollment year, or students who already hold an undergraduate degree
  • 18-28 years of age as of August 1 of their scholarship enrollment year
  • Proficient in English
  • International students from any country may apply

   

  Who cannot apply:

  • Students not sufficiently proficient in English
  • Students 29 years of age or older

   

  All majors are welcome to apply, but applicants should be prepared to articulate how participating as a Schwarzman Scholar will help develop their leadership potential within their field.

  For more information about eligibility requirements, visit www.schwarzmanscholars.org.

• Additional Requirements

  A UAA institutional endorsement is not required to apply but highly recommended. The institutional endorsement is given after the candidate is evaluated by the Schwarzman Scholarship Campus Interview Committee during the individual campus interview.

  Seek advising early in the application process. Schedule an advising appointment with the Schwarzman Scholars Campus Representative, TBD to discuss intent to apply.

  Interview requirements:
  Campus interview: Yes, required if following UAA processes and/or if you desire an institutional endorsement*
  National interview: Yes

  Language requirements:
  English language proficiency test scores must be submitted with application if your native language is not English. This requirement is waived if you have studied at an undergraduate institution where English was the primary language of instruction (like UAA) for at least two years of your undergraduate academic program. The requirement is also waived if you have studied in English for two or more years at a Master's degree level or higher.

  *Please note that you can apply to the Schwarzman Program without receiving help from UAA or the Schwarzman Scholars Campus Representative, in which case a campus interview is not required. This is NOT recommended, as it means you would have no university support during the application process.

• Award Benefits

  Award benefits:

  • Program tuition fees
  • Room and board
  • Travel to and from Beijing at the start and end of the academic year
  • An in-country study tour
  • Health insurance
  • Stipend for personal expenses

   

  Program curriculum includes:

  • Core curriculum
  • Leadership courses and workshop
  • Concentration courses customized to each scholar's academic and professional interests
  • Instruction in Mandarin Chinese
  • Study tour in various regions in China
  • Capstone project

   

  Award cannot be deferred or renewed.

• Candidate Profile
  • Extraordinary leadership potential, the ability to anticipate paradigm changes, and strong intellectual capacity
  • The capacity to conceptualize, articulate, and implement new approaches to existing conditions with determination, energy, and adaptability to drive change despite obstacles
  • Inspires others to make change happen
  • Intellectual achievement demonstrated through outstanding academic endeavors
  • Exemplary character manifested through personal values and integrity that inspires trust among others
  • Open-mindedness, entrepreneurial spirit, empathy, and intercultural competency

   

  Leadership potential will be evaluated based on your ability to understand challenges and opportunities, envision solutions, take initiative to act, inspire others to join an effort, and push through resistance and/or challenges in order to reach results.

• Application Procedure
  1. Find a faculty member willing to serve as your mentor throughout the application process.
  2. Notify the Schwarzman Scholars Campus Representative, TBD, of your intent to apply the semester before you plan to apply for the award.
  3. Schedule an advising appointment with the Schwarzman Scholars Campus Representative to discuss internal and external application processes and timelines.
  4. Register at www.schwarzmanscholars.org and start completing the application.
  5. Three letters of recommendation are required. Recommenders should know you well and be able to speak to your intellectual abilities, personal characteristics, and leadership potential using specific examples from their direct experience working with you. One letter should come from an instructor from whom you have taken an upper-division class who can comment on your academic abilities; one letter should speak to your demonstrated leadership and potential; and the third letter should further endorse your academic and/or leadership abilities. Examples of good recommenders include faculty members, mentors, employers, supervisors, etc. You will send your chosen recommenders a recommendation request email through the online application. The email gives recommenders instructions on how to directly submit their recommendation letters.
  6. You are required to submit a biographical profile, resume/CV, and short video introduction as part of your application. Video introductions should be no more than one minute long and give you the opportunity to introduce yourself to the committee in your own voice and style. 
  7. Two essays are required, the Leadership Essay and a Statement of Purpose. Refer to the application form for detailed instructions of requirements for each of these essays. There are also two short-answer responses you will need to address in the application. Word counts cannot be exceeded.
  8. Obtain academic transcripts for all degree-granting institutions you have attended.
  9. Submit a copy of your complete application as a PDF to TBD, including all letters of recommendation and academic transcript, by the campus deadline. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
  10. Prepare for your individual campus interview, which will take place 1-2 weeks after the campus deadline. At the end of the interview, the Schwarzman Scholars Campus Interview Committee will evaluate your overall merits as a candidate and the application materials submitted, and will make a decision of endorsement or non-endorsement. The committee's decision is definitive. If you are endorsed, then an institutional endorsement will be formally submitted by the Schwarzman Scholars Campus Representative to the Schwarzman Scholars Program as part of your application.
  11. The Schwarzman Scholars Review Committee will review submitted applications and select candidates to be invited to interview. Interviews take place in person in late October - early November. Travel to and from the interview location is covered by the program. 

   

  About 4% of applicants receive awards.