Public Interest Career Fund
Public Interest Career Fund
Application Process
Thinking of applying for a PICF Fellowship? Here's a step-by-step process to get you started:
1. Meet with a CPC staff member to discuss your internship plans and review the application process. This step is very important so you will be aware of this year's application deadlines.
2. Research and identify organizations where you would like to intern.
3. Make sure that the sponsoring organizations and the internship responsibilities serve disadvantaged and/or underserved populations to meet the criteria of the Fellowship. Examples of these types of organizations include social service agencies, humanitarian organizations, legal aid societies and public institutions.
4. Send a cover letter and résumé by early January.
- To get help with your cover letter and résumé, please set up an appointment with one of the CPC's Peer Career Advisors, and then have them reviewed by a career counselor.
- Your cover letter should follow the same format as those listed in the CPC Job Search Correspondence handout. You may wish to change the first paragraph of your letter to read something like this:
"I am writing to be considered as an intern with your organization this summer. I am also an applicant to the Bowdoin College Public Interest Career Fund Summer Fellowship Program which provides grants to students to work in the field of social service / social justice over the summer. If selected by the Committee, I would be awarded funds enabling me to become an intern with your organization."
- And your last paragraph should read something like this:
"I appreciate your consideration and look forward to talking with you further about my interests and qualifications and possible projects your organization could offer me. I will contact you shortly to discuss this in greater detail."
5. Follow up with phone calls to set up interviews. Be sure to discuss the following in your meeting:
- The PICF Summer Fellowship Guidelines
- Specific substantive projects and responsibilities
- Number of hours/week
- Starting and ending date
- Name of your supervisor
- Compensation, if any
6. Select ONE organization to use for the Summer Fellowship application. Some suggested questions to ask yourself to help you make a decision:
- Which internship provides the best opportunity to gain substantive experience?
- Which projects and responsibilities do you like the best?
- At which organization did you seem to connect more with the employees and/or with the supervisor?
7. Approach recommenders regarding your letters of reference.
- Allow individuals at least two weeks to write a letter of recommendation.
- Be sure that at least one recommender is familiar with any service experience you have had and your commitment.
- Please ask the recommenders to indicate that the letter is for the PICF Summer Fellowship Program.
8. Get a commitment letter from your sponsoring organization. This letter should indicate that you have been offered an internship with the sponsoring organization and describe the learning opportunities for you as well as your specific responsibilities.
9. As a courtesy to those organizations, which have offered you an internship, please let them know if you have selected another internship to which you will be applying for this Fellowship.
10. For feedback on all your written material, please work with the CPC staff.
11. Submit all materials to CPC by the PICF application deadline, no later than noon: Original and five (5) copies of (a) the application form, (b) personal statement, (c) résumé, (d) employer commitment letter, (e) two reference letters and (f) transcript.
12. The committee will interview the top final candidates. Students that are studying abroad are still able to apply and would follow the same deadlines. Decisions are made by mid-March.
13. This is a competitive selection process. It is in your best interest to apply to several internships and/or summer jobs in addition to this Fellowship.
14. Good luck! Please contact us with any questions.