Printer Friendly Version

The Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program provides expenses for a four-year course of study toward a bachelor’s degree for up to twenty-two exceptionally able Asian students annually from these countries and regions: the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

• Applications must be postmarked by January 1, 2008.

• Students are advised to register now for SAT and TOEFL or IELTS.

• Notification by April 1, 2008.

• Japan notification by March 1, 2008.

Wesleyan is now accepting applications for participation in the Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program. The chosen applicants will join 2,800 other Wesleyan undergraduates from throughout the United States and nearly 50 countries for study with an outstanding teaching and research faculty in the sciences and mathematics, the arts, the humanities, and the social and behavioral sciences.

This program is made possible by Wesleyan University and the Freeman Foundation, which aims to improve understanding and to strengthen ties between the United States and the countries and regions of the Pacific Rim.

Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, Connecticut, halfway between New York and Boston in the historic and colorful New England region of the northeastern United States. It is a private, nonsectarian, liberal arts and sciences institution founded in 1831. A number of early Wesleyan graduates were influential educators and ministers in Asian countries, and the modern Wesleyan has formal ties to several prominent universities in Asia. The campus is home to a diverse population of 2,800 undergraduate students, equally divided between men and women, approximately 28 percent of whom are of African, Asian, or Hispanic descent, and nearly 190 students from foreign countries.

Approximately 200 graduate students, a number of whom are from Asian countries, are pursuing advanced degrees, principally in the sciences, mathematics, and music.

Wesleyan provides instruction in 46 major fields of study. Unlike some university systems abroad, in which students focus on one academic field, most American universities are based on a curricular tradition of liberal arts and sciences, in which breadth and depth of study are deemed equally important. At Wesleyan, the major programs of study involve one-third to one-half of a student’s course work, with the remaining time devoted to exploration of a variety of fields through which a student may broaden his or her background and understanding. More than 900 courses are offered, in which interdisciplinary pursuits are encouraged and an international perspective is fundamental.

Wesleyan graduates go on in high numbers to the best graduate and professional schools in the United States and to successful careers in engineering, business, law, medicine, education, politics, international relations, social service, and the arts. The primary purpose of study at Wesleyan, however, is not to provide vocational training in a specific area. The objectives of a Wesleyan education include the development of self-educating men and women who have mastered a major field, have learned to think critically, are cognizant of the variety of human experience, and have acquired the habits of imaginative and disciplined minds.

The liberal arts at Wesleyan are founded on an atmosphere of freedom, small college traditions, faculty resources, and student diversity. The University provides the facilities and opportunities of a research university while retaining the emphasis on teaching and the intimacy of a small college. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1, enabling the faculty to provide direct and particular attention to undergraduate education. Wesleyan’s more than 300 teacher-scholars believe that scholarly research and active teaching are mutually reinforcing. The University’s curriculum is unusually flexible, and students work closely with a faculty advisor in planning all programs and majors.

Many undergraduates cite the University’s relatively small size as a source of satisfaction with campus life. The community is small enough so that the individual may feel at home, yet large enough to provide a rich variety of activities and acquaintances.

Life can be very full for undergraduates. Outside the classroom, they may select from more than 200 different student organizations that range in interest from theatrical productions to environmental activism, from the Wesleyan Argus newspaper and the debate club to Ultimate Frisbee, from the Asians for Community Empowerment to West African drumming or a chamber music group. The University’s state-of-the-art athletic center encourages students to participate in athletics, either in one of 27 varsity sports or at the intramural level. Parties and social gatherings are held at student residences, at the campus center, at fraternity houses, and at restaurants in Middletown. Bringing the wider world closer, prominent scholars, artists, musicians, actors, and dancers come to the campus regularly, and the weekly campus calendar features a continuous program of concerts, plays, films, and lectures.

All Wesleyan students are guaranteed housing on campus for the full four years. They may choose among several options for housing and dining, and more than 90 percent of them live on or within one block of the campus. First-year students generally live in one of several residence hall complexes in either a double or single room. After the first year, Wesleyan offers a variety of housing options, including apartment complexes, furnished houses, and small rental houses. Membership in the dining plan is required for all four years, which allows students to eat in the many on-campus facilities as well as to buy food at the campus grocery store and cook their own meals. The Usdan University Center (http://www.wesleyan.edu/masterplan/univcenter.html), just opened in August 2007, provides a central location for dining and social activities.

The first Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholars enrolled at Wesleyan in September of 1995. The Freeman Foundation, sponsor of the Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program, was established in 1994 through the bequest of Mansfield Freeman, a businessman, benefactor, scholar, and longtime resident in Asia who was a member of the Wesleyan University Class of 1916. Mr. Freeman was an insurance executive and one of the original founders of what is now the American International Group, Inc. (AIG). The New York–based Freeman Foundation, which established the Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program in memory of Mansfield Freeman, is administered primarily by the Freeman family; its charitable efforts are directed mainly toward bettering relationships and understanding between the United States and the countries of East Asia. This program’s goal is for Freeman Asian Scholars to become leaders in their home countries.

Scholars Each Freeman Scholar will receive a scholarship to cover the cost of tuition and student fees (called "full tuition scholarship") regardless of his or her family's financial situation.  Although costs are not yet established for 2008-2009, in the 2007-2008 school year tuition and fees total $36,806. Families wishing to apply for financial aid to assist with the costs associated with room, board, travel, books, and supplies and the one time matriculation free submit a completed International Financial Aid Application by February 15.  Wesleyan's Financial Aid Office will determine the family contribution. The family contribution is comprised of a parent contribution based on the parent(s) income and assets, as well as a student contribution.

A scholarship applicant who is not requesting financial aid to cover the costs beyond tuition will need to provide documentation that his or her family has the financial resources to pay those costs by submitting the Certification of Finances Form. The form must show that the family can fund approximately $14,000 per academic year. (Again, the cost of attendance is not yet set for the 2008-2009 academic year, but the additional budget for new matriculants in the 2007-2008 academic year is $12, 840 not including travel; residential comprehensive fee $10, 130; books and miscellaneous $2,410; one time matriculation fee $300).

Applicants for the academic year beginning in late August must have completed their secondary schooling* (high school) by then and must be citizens or permanent residents of one of these eleven countries or regions: China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, or Vietnam. Preference will be given to those currently living in one of these eleven countries or regions and to those who would otherwise be unable to study in the United States. Individuals with dual U.S. citizenship or who are permanent U.S. residents are not eligible. Students who must fulfill a military service requirement may apply in their final year of school but waiting until the year in which one can enroll is preferable.

Admission to Wesleyan and the selection process for Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholars is extremely competitive. We plan to award the scholarship to two students from each of the eleven countries or regions. Selection criteria include academic achievement; intellectual curiosity; a high level of discipline and commitment; strong personal qualities; extracurricular involvement, especially community service; and English language ability.

It is our preference to enroll students currently studying and residing in their home countries, but students who are temporarily living elsewhere may apply. Please note that interviews of finalists take place in students' home countries or regions.

Freeman Asian Scholars are expected to return to their home countries upon completion of their degrees. (We understand that some students may wish to continue their education with graduate studies in the United States, which would be at their own expense.)

Successful applicants will be notified by April 1, except in Japan, where they will be notified by March 1. Alternates also will be chosen in the event that any of those initially selected decide not to accept the offer. Wesleyan will provide the necessary forms for obtaining an F-1 student visa to the United States.

To qualify, applicants must take the SAT Reasoning Test of the College Board. (Applicants in the People’s Republic of China, where the SAT is not available, are exempt from this requirement.) Non-native speakers of English also must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) in place of the TOEFL. Students should receive a score that demonstrates sufficient proficiency in the English language to function well in a highly demanding academic environment. A score close to 600 on the paper-based TOEFL or 250 on the computer-based TOEFL, or a “7” on the IELTS, would be evidence of adequate English language ability. (A high score – 650 or better – on the critical reading section of the SAT may also demonstrate the necessary English language proficiency. In such cases, submitting the TOEFL or IELTS results is not necessary.) These examinations must be taken by January 1. All examinations are administered on several dates, with a registration deadline approximately six weeks before the exam. Please be sure to list Wesleyan University (undergraduate) as an official score recipient.

To register for the TOEFL, go to the website, www.toefl.org .You will also need to register for the SAT. The easiest way is via the Internet: www.collegeboard.com.  If you encounter difficulty registering for the SAT or TOEFL, the U.S. Education Advising Center (USAEducation) listed for your country (below) should be able to assist you. To register for the IELTS, please access their Web site: www.ielts.org. You should take the academic reading and writing modules. IELTS is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council, and IDP Education Australia: IELTS Australia.

Interested students also must submit a written application that includes background information, two essays, a secondary (high) school/junior college transcript, recommendations from two teachers and one counselor, a peer reference, and results (or predictions if available) of any standardized national examinations administered during the secondary school/junior college years. Officials from Wesleyan and the Freeman Foundation will travel to Asia and conduct interviews of finalists in their home countries in February or March. All application materials are to be postmarked no later than January 1. (For students in the Philippines, we recommend mailing your application earlier or using a courier service.)

You may write to Dean Terri Overton at toverton@wesleyan.edu to request the special Freeman Scholarship application forms. Be sure to provide your regular mailing address. The application for the Freeman Asian Scholarship is different from the Common Application and it is not available on-line.  You should not submit the Common Application as well.

Applications are also available from secondary (high) schools/junior colleges, from the AIG offices listed, and from the USAEducation Centers shown below. Please note that a complete listing of U.S. Education Advising Centers, including ones outside of capital cities, can be found at http://www.educationusa.state.gov/centers. 

It is likely that some highly qualified applicants who would otherwise be admissible to Wesleyan will not be chosen for the highly selective Freeman Asian Scholarship.  No financial aid is available to such students, but those who do not require financial assistance to attend are encouraged to apply as "regular" applicants to Wesleyan University.  To be considered as a "regular" (non-aided) admission candidate in the event that you are not selected as a Freeman Scholar, please indicate your interest in the place provided on the Freeman Scholarship application.  The "Common Application" is not required, but the application fee of $55 is needed.  (There is no application fee for students applying only for the Freeman Asian Scholarship.)  Dual Freeman Asian Scholarship/"Regular" admission candidates must submit a Certification of Finances form documenting that the family has sufficient resources to fund the entire cost of education, approximately $50,000 each year.

Terri Overton, Associate Dean of Admission on the Wesleyan campus, coordinates the recruitment and selection of Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholars, but there are many other sources of helpful information and advice. Wesleyan alumni in the eleven countries and regions, as well as local AIG offices and U.S. Education Advising Centers, can provide further information to students interested in applying.

People's Republic of China
No AIG contact, please write directly to:
Associate Dean Terri Overton
Wesleyan University
Office of Admission
70 Wyllys Avenue
Middletown, CT  06459
USA
telephone:  (860) 685-2988
email: toverton@wesleyan.edu

Hong Kong- SAR
American International Underwriters, Ltd.
AIG Tower
No. 1 Connaught Road
Hong Kong

ATTN: Ms. Winnie Ng

telephone: 852 2832 1493
email: Winnie-mw.ng@aig.com

Indonesia
PT.  Asuransi AIU Indonesia
Jakarta Stock Exchange Building, Tower 2, Floor 3A
Jalan  Jend. Sudirman,  Kav 52-53
Jakarta  12190

ATTN: Fenny Salim or Ria Ekawati

telephone: 62 21 5291 4888
email: fenny.salim@aig.com

Japan
AIU Insurance Company
AIG Tower, 1-2-4 Kinshi
Sumida-ku
Tokyo  130-8560

ATTN: Ms. Naomi Omori

telephone: 813-5619-2635
email: omori.naomi@aig.co.jp  or   aiuhsd@aig.co.jp

Korea
AIG General Insurance
18th Floor Seoul Central B/D
136 Seorin-dong, Jongro-gu
Seoul 110-729

ATTN: Ms. Sue Lyu

telephone 82-2-2260-6802
email: sue.lyu@aig.com

Malaysia
American Home Assurance Company Malaysia
Wisma AIG
No. 99 Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

ATTN: Ms. Sofia Lam Abdullah

telephone: 603-2058 5399
email: Abdullah.sofia@aig.com

The Philippines
Philam Insurance Company Inc.
47th Floor PBCom Tower
6795 Ayala Avenue Corner Rufino Street
1226 Makati City
Manila

ATTN: Evelyn Bautista

telephone: 63 815 3000
email: evelyn.bautista@aig.com

Singapore
American Home Assurance Co.
AIG Building
22 Martin Road
Singapore 239058

ATTN: Violet Yong

telephone: 6419-1025
fax: 6835-7401
email:  violet-yn.yong@aig.com

Taiwan
AIU Insurance Co., Taiwan Branch
15th Floor, 200, Kee-lung Road, Sec. 1
Taipei, Taiwan
Republic of China

ATTN: Lynn Chuang

telephone: 886-2-2723-6666, extension 899
email:  Lynn-FL.Chuang@aig.com

Thailand
New Hampshire Insurance Company
21st-23rd Floor, Siam Tower
989 Rama I Road, Patumwan
Bangkok 10330

ATTN: Parichart Sukagesa

telephone: 66 2 649-1116
email: parichart.sukagesa@aig.com

Vietnam
AIG Vietnam General Insurance (Vietnam) Company Limited
Suite 5-01, 5/F, Hanoi Towers
49 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hoan Kiem Dist.
Ha noi, Vietnam

ATTN: Nguyen Thi Nguyet Thanh

telephone: 84-4-9361455
fax: 84-4-9361456
email: thanh.nguyen@aig.com

LOCAL U.S. EDUCATION ADVISING CENTERS
Most countries have several centers. For a complete list, go to: http://www.educationusa.state.gov/centers/

The People's Republic of China
There are over 40 centers in the PRC. For the one nearest you, please visit this website:
http://www.educationusa.state.gov/centers/#CHINA.

Hong Kong
Institute of International Education, China-Hong Kong
Room 601, General Commercial Building,
156-164 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong

ATTN: Education Advisor - Michelle Mak

tel: (852) 2603-5771
fax: (852) 2603-5765
email: mmak@iiehongkong.org
website: www.iiehongkong.org

Indonesia
American Indonesian Exchange Foundation (AMINEF)
Gedung Balai Pustaka 6th Floor
Jalan Gunung Sahari Raya No. 4
Jakarta 10720

ATTN:  Hanif Saleh

tel: 62 21 345 2016 ext. 300
fax: 62 21 345 2050
email: infoeas@aminef.or.id
website: www.aminef.or.id

Japan
Fulbright Japan (Japan-United States Educational Commission)
Sanno Grand Building 207
2-14-2 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-0014
Japan

ATTN: Executive Director - Dr. David Satterwhite

tel: 81-3-3580-3231
fax: 81-3-3580-1217
e-mail: eas@fulbright.jp
website: www.fulbright.jp

Korea
Korean-American Educational Commission
Fulbright Building - U.S. Education Center
168-15 Yomni-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul 121-874 Korea

ATTN: Executive Director – Mrs. Shim Jai Ok
Program Assistant – Ms. Jung Yoon Chin
 
telephone: 82-2-3275-4011
fax: 82-2-3275-4028
email: usec@fulbright.or.kr
website: www.fulbright.or.kr

Malaysia
Malaysian American Commission on Educational Exchange (MACEE)
18th Floor, Menara Yayasan Tun Razak
200 Jalan Bukit Bintang
50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

ATTN: Director - Marlene Zeffreys

email: mea@pc.jaring.my
website: www.macee.org.my/

The Philippines
Philippine American Educational Foundation (PAEF)
Educational Information and Advising Center
10/F Ayala Life-FGU Center-Makati
6811 Ayala Avenue
1226 Makati City

ATTN: Educational Information Program Officer - Eileen Consuelo D. Valdecanas

telephone: (632) 812-0945
               (632) 812-0919
fax:          (632) 812-0822
email: evaldecanas@paef.org.ph

Singapore
United States Education Information Center (USEIC)
12 Prince Edward Road
#01-03 Podium A, Bestway Building
Singapore 079212

ATTN: Karen Kaylor, Director

telephone:  +65 6223 4566
fax:  +65 6223 4533
email:  inquiry@useic.org 

Taiwan
AIEF Ed. Foundation Taipei
5F-1, No. 237, Fu-Shin S. Rd. Sec. 1
Taipei
Taiwan 106 

telephone: 886-2-2705-8840
email:  service@aief-usa.org
website:  www.aief.org.tw

Thailand  (There are several centers in Bankok. Check the Education USA website for a complete list.)
Institute of International Education
GPO.# 2050 
Bangkok
Thailand 10501

telephone: 662-652-0653 ext. 122
email:  iiethai@bkk.iie.org
website:  www.iiethai.org

Vietnam
Institute of International Education (IIE)
69 Hoang Hoa Tham Street
Ward 6, Binh Thanh District
VIETNAM

ATTN: Fellowships and Liaison Officer, Thai Thi Le Tam

telephone:  84-8-510-8844
email: edu.assistant@iievn.org
website:  http://www.iievn.org

Freeman Scholars in each country have volunteered to answer questions about their experiences or direct you to others who can be helpful.

Name: Shen Zheqing ‘02
Email: zheqing.shen@gmail.com
High School: Shanghai Foreign Language School
Major: Economics
Thesis: Exchange Rate Determination on a Macro-Micro Level
Current position: Investment banking, Goldman Sachs, Beijing

Name: Tak Wai Chung ’00 (Phi Beta Kappa)
Email: chungtakwai@hotmail.com
High school: Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong and before that, Queen's College
Major: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry; Mathematics-Economics
Thesis: Auctioneering: Applications to Online Auctions (High Honors)
Wesleyan activities: Chinese House, intramural soccer, Internship at Microsoft in Seattle
Current position: Associate, Private Equity, Lehman Brothers, Hong Kong

Name: Felix Aristo Ardian ‘03
Email: aristo.ardian@ace-ina.com
High school: Taruna Nusantara Sr. High School
Major: Computer Science
Final project: Compiler in Computer Science
Wesleyan activities: PANGEA, Wesleyan Gamelan Ensemble, Forum on East Timor
Current Position: Head of Project Management Office and Internal Consulting Services for ACE Indonesia

Name:  Issei Morita ‘03
Email: imorita@wesleyan.edu
High school:  International Christian University High School
Major:  Art History
Thesis topic:  An ikebana exhibition and a written thesis on the institutionalization of the Sogetsu school of Ikebana
Wesleyan activities:  Dance, Japan Society, Chinese House activities 
Current position: Product Executive, Fixed Income Team, Schroder Investment Management (Japan) Ltd. 

Name: Haejung Park ‘04
Email: hpark@wesleyan.edu
High school: Seohyun High School (Kyungki-do, Korea)
Major: Economics, Mathematics (not Econ-Math)
Wesleyan activities: music performance/lessons (piano, opera), TA, research assistant, voluntary tutor, ODE member (Economics Honors Society)
Current activities: Graduate student in Mathematics at the University of Maryland

 Malaysia

Name: Boon-Lin Lee ‘01
Email: blee01@wesleyan.edu
High school: Armand Hammer United World College, New Mexico, USA (1995-1997), and previously Sekolah Menengah Ibrahim, Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia, up to the SPM qualification
Major: Economics and Studio Arts
Thesis: Studio Arts on Sumi-e painting and drawings.
Wesleyan activities: Economics Major Committee and Chairman of the Wesleyan Chinese Students Association
Current activities: MBA candidate, European School of Management and Technology, Berlin, Germany

The Philippines

Name: Apple L. Melgazo ‘99
Email: amelgazo@wesleyan.edu
High school: Miriam College
Major: Government
Thesis topic: Philippine Constitutionalism
Thesis title: Conquering the Myth of the Datu: Constitutional Instability in the Philippines
Wesleyan activities: Student Judicial Board (Co-chair), Resident Advisor, Woodrow Wilson Debate Team, Wesleyan Telefund
Current position: Lawyer, DB Law Partnership, Makati

Singapore

Name: Emily Chua ‘04
Email: emilychua@gmail.com
School: Raffles Junior College
Major: Studio art
Thesis topic: (in Studio Art – sculpture) "The Good Life," plus History senior project on two websites, Friendster and The Internet Archive - the internet as a postmodern order of information
Current activities: MA in History, National University of Singapore ‘06
‘06-‘07 first year UC Berkeley PhD program in Anthropology (Social cultural)

Name: Yu-Hsin Cindy Chang ‘03
Email: cindy.y.chang@gmail.com
High School: National Taichung Girls’ Senior High School (valedictorian)
Major: Economics and College of Social Studies
Thesis topic: High Tech Business Integration Across the Taiwan Strait and its Political Impact
Wesleyan Activities: Convocation Speaker during Asian/Asian Awareness Month, Economics tutor, dance, International Honors Society in Economics
Current position: Contract Technical Interpreter on Architecture/Civil Engineering/Electronics at Central Training Center, Labor Council, Executive Yuan

Name: Parith Rungsimanond ‘03
Email: parith@mit.edu
High School: Satit Chulalongkorn University Demonstration School
Major: Economics
Wesleyan activities: Asian/ Asian American Pacific Alliance (Secretary, Treasurer), Co-Chair, Thai Student Association (PADThai), Economics Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant in Economics and Chemistry, Wesleyan Singers 
Current activities: MIT Sloan School of Management, MBA 2008

Name: Thang Le ‘05
E-mail: thang.wesvn@gmail.com
Major: Economics & Government, plus Certificate in International Relations
Wesleyan activities: Senior Class Treasurer, Student Budget Committee, Freeman Asian Scholars Association (co-chair) and Korean Drumming
Current position: Management Associate at American International Group (AIG)

CAMPUS VOICES

Freeman Asian Scholars at Wesleyan find that their experiences are varied and challenging. Here are some thoughts expressed by recent graduates as they reflected upon their time at Wesleyan.  The Freeman Asian Scholars also maintain their own website with information about the program and current scholars.

All interested students, parents, teachers and advisors are welcome to attend an information session locally, presented by Wesleyan Associate Dean of Admission Terri Overton. Information about Wesleyan's resources and offerings will be presented, as well as details about the application process. Freeman Asian Scholarship candidates and applicants for general admission are all encouraged to attend. Wesleyan alumni and parents may also be present, providing valuable insights about the institution.

SEOUL, KOREA

Tuesday, September 11, 2007
6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m.
Venue: Meeting Room No.3, The Executive Center  - 21/F Seoul Finance Center, Taepyeongro 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul,
100-768
(see website for map: http://www.executivecentre.com/en/seoul/SFC/)

HONG KONG

Wednesday, September 19, 2007
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Venue: Institute of International Education (IIE)
Room 201, 2/F General Commercial Building
156-164 Des Voeux Road
Central

BANGKOK, THAILAND

Sunday, September 23, 2007
2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Venue: Novotel Siam Square
392/44 Siam Square Soi 6
Rama I Road
Pathumwan