Student Fellowships & Research

Description.
In recognition of the benefits of higher education, the Society provides significant funding for two Scottish graduate students to study in the United States and two Scottish-American students to study in Scotland. Initiated by the Society at its 200th anniversary in 1956, the Saint Andrew's Society Scholarship Program has consistently attracted the top students from the most competitive institutions of learning. The Saint Andrew’s Society of the State of New York has provided over 150 scholarships to promote cultural interchange and goodwill between Scotland and the United States since 1956.

Benefits.
The scholarship provides funds of $20,000 to $30,000 for graduate study in Scotland to be used initially against tuition, then board, transportation and other expenses.

Eligibility.
Please note that in addition to the below listed criteria, finalists will have to include a statement from an appropriate official certifying that financial assistance would be required for a year of graduate study.

• Applicants must be senior undergraduate students who will obtain a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in spring of 2013 and can demonstrate the significance of studying in Scotland.
• Proof of application to their selected school in Scotland will be required of finalists.
• Candidates should possess qualifications which will enable them to be good ambassadors for the United States while in Scotland.
• The basis for selection shall include the student’s: academic achievement; extracurricular activities; financial need; statement of personal objectives; some Scottish descent; and proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Candidates must reside or attend school within 250 miles of New York State. (Note: Bowdoin is within the required 250 mile range.)
• Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously studied in the United Kingdom.

Bowdoin’s Internal Selection Process. The College is allowed to nominate only one Bowdoin student annually for the Saint Andrew’s Society Scholarship. The Committee will review the materials listed below, and those applicants determined to be most competitive will be contacted to schedule a campus interview. To be considered, applicants must submit the materials listed below to the Office of Student Fellowships and Research by the “Initial Bowdoin Deadline” (see above). Based on these materials and the campus interview, the Committee will determine which student will receive Bowdoin’s endorsement.

• Completed Saint Andrew’s Scholarship Application (available from the Office of Student Fellowships and Research), including the requested thesis/proposal (see "Final Application" tab for details)
• Unofficial transcript (printed off of Bearings)
• Current resume
• Signed and witnessed "Permission Form and Waiver"

• One letter of recommendation. A faculty member may either electronically submit his/her letter to Emily Briley (ebriley@bowdoin.edu) or give it to the student in a sealed envelope, in which case the student is responsible for delivering the letter to the Office of Student Fellowships and Research by the "Initial Bowdoin Deadline".  (Please note that if you receive Bowdoin’s nomination, your final application must include two letters of recommendation.)

Materials for the Final Application. If you receive Bowdoin’s nomination, it is your responsibility to continue revising and collecting your materials. By the “Final Bowdoin Deadline,” Bowdoin’s nominee must submit two collated packets the following materials to the Office of Student Fellowships and Research, which will send all materials directly to the program for further consideration.

• Completed Saint Andrew’s Scholarship Application, including thesis/proposal that addresses the following:
  1. why you wish to continue your education beyond the present year;
  2. why you wish to study in Scotland and how this study will contribute to your overall goals.
  Your answer to each question need not exceed 200 words.
• Official transcript(s) in sealed envelope(s)
• Two letters of recommendation from professors. (You must also list three personal references in the application.)
• Current resume
• Copy of your birth certificate (i.e., proof of U.S. citizenship)
• Letter from Bowdoin's Director of Student Aid certifying that you would require assistance in order to pursue a year of graduate study in Scotland
• Proof of application to your selected school in Scotland is strongly encouraged, but not required

In addition the Office of Student Fellowships and Research will coordinate securing the following:

• A letter of endorsement from President Mills

More about the Selection Process. It is the national committee’s practice to invite six finalists to a luncheon in New York City during February or early March. Following this meeting two of these finalists will be awarded scholarships for graduate study in Scotland.