Mitchell Scholarship

PAUSED temporarily. Not accepting applications in fall 2024. Students interested in applying should check back for news about the future of the program in early April 2025.

How to apply

Overview

Description

Named after former US Senator George Mitchell for his critical role in North Ireland peace processes, the Mitchell Scholarship is designed to continue this legacy by introducing accomplished American students and future leaders to the island of Ireland. Mitchell Scholars are academically motivated, leaders, and committed to community and public service. The scholarship covers one year of tuition and living expenses at an Irish university in any academic discipline. 

Special note: finalists for the Mitchell Scholarship (those invited to interview) are required to withdraw from all other fellowship competitions, so the Mitchell Scholarship is best suited to those for whom graduate study in Ireland as a Mitchell Scholar is the far and away their first choice opportunity.

Award

The Mitchell Scholarship includes tuition, accommodation, and a stipend for living expenses and travel. The scholarship covers September through May of an academic year.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for the Mitchell Scholarship if you: 

• are a US citizen;
• are between 18 and 30 years of age on October 1st of the year during which you are applying; 
• and have a bachelor’s degree before beginning as a Marshall Scholar

Selection Criteria

Applications are judged on three criteria:

• Scholarship
• Leadership
• Sustained commitment to community and public service

Application components

• Online application for the campus and national deadlines. Access a pdf overview of the online application on the Mitchell Scholarship website. Major components include:
  • Official or unofficial transcript
  • 1,000 word personal statement
  • Contact information for an institutional endorser
  • Four letters of recommendation: the student provides contact information and the letter writer uploads the letter of recommendation
  • University choices and preferred academic programs
  • Information about previous awards, extracurricular and professional experiences, and other achievements
• For those selected by the foundation, a video interview, by request after the national deadline

More information about the components of the Mitchell Scholarship application can be found at this link.

How to Apply

1. Learn about the Mitchell Scholarship and talk with your faculty advisor about your graduate school plans in Ireland (which university and program you intend to attend).
   1. Be sure you understand the application process for the Irish university you want to attend
2. Reach out to fellowships@wesleyan.edu by, at the very latest, early May of the year in which you will apply. 
3. The online application becomes available on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day; at this time, students should start an online application and select the option to notify your campus fellowships advisor. This step must be completed by May 20.
4. May through July: Draft your personal statement and book a draft review appointment to discuss  your draft with Office of Fellowships staff.
5. Complete your application for the campus deadline in late summer.
6. If selected to be endorsed by Wesleyan during the campus process, revise your campus application during September and submit for the national deadline in October.
7. Check your emails to see if you are called for a video interview after the national deadline in fall of your application year.