MELLON MAYS UNDERGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Transcription

1 MELLON MAYS UNDERGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM Dear Prospective applicant, I am pleased to announce this year s Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship [MMUF] application competition. Through the generosity of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, MMUF program provides intensive intellectual and social support for eligible students planning to matriculate in a PhD program and enter academic careers. For more information about the far- reaching work of the program in the promotion of diversity and academic excellence in graduate education, visit mmuf.org. Bowdoin College has been a participating member of the Mellon Mays Fellowship Program since Our recent alums are studying in leading PhD programs across the country including Stanford, Chicago, Columbia, Michigan, UC, Berkeley and Maryland. Current Mellon Mays fellows are prominent campus leaders, work on impressive research and honors projects, nurture strong relationships with faculty members, and are engage in advance planning for graduate school. Requirements: Intent to obtain a Ph.D. in an MMUF designated field of study Commitment to MMUF goals Participation in biweekly seminars & two annual regional conferences Submit article to MMUF Journal Program Benefits: Supervised research by a Faculty mentor Tailored advising and mentoring Summer /Academic year stipends and up to $10K in undergraduate debt forgiveness GRE and Graduate school preparation Access to a community of scholars We encourage promising students with a B or better grade point average in their second semester sophomore year to apply. Applicants must be American citizens or have a Permanent Resident Visa Status in the United States. The deadline for the submission of the complete application is Friday, March 11, A complete application packet will contain an application packet, which includes seven additional supporting materials, a mentor statement from a faculty member who has agreed to supervise your original research, and a reference letter from a faculty member who has taught you in a classroom setting. Applicants are not permitted to change research proposals after the Fellowship has been awarded. The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Faculty Advisory Committee will select semi- finalists and interview them in late March or early April. On behalf of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program Faculty Advisory Committee (Professors Charles Dorn, Guy Mark Foster, Matthew Klingle, and H. Roy Partridge, I welcome your application and appreciate your interest in the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program. Please feel free to contact me, if you need more information. Sincerely, Rosemary Effiom Director Office of Special Academic Programs Coordinator Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship [MMUF] & Graduate School Preparation

2 2016 BOWDOIN COLLEGE MELLON MAYS UNDERGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION FORM PERSONAL INFORMATION Name: SU#: Cell Phone: Permanent address: Citizenship [required for eligibility]: U.S. Citizen Permanent Resident Identify your race/ethnicity (please check all that apply): African- American/Black Afro- Caribbean Chicano, Mexican- American African Puerto Rican Hispanic, Latino, Latino- American White/Caucasian [non- Hispanic, Latino] Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Asian/Asian- American [please specify]: Native American, Alaskan Native [tribal affiliation]: Other [please specify] Academic Major(s): & Minor: Overall GPA: [Minimum GPA of 3.0] Major G.P.A.: In spring 2015, will you have second- semester sophomore status? Yes No PARENT INFORMATION Race/ethnicity Education level attained Employment status MOTHER FATHER Please indicate any scholarship or fellowship you currently hold: Award Description Date(s) Received 2

3 Please indicate extracurricular activities, volunteer or community service projects Work/Activity Description (include leadership position) # hours per week If selected, are you able to adjust your commitments in order to meet the expectations of the MMUF Program? Please explain? MENTOR LETTER [faculty who has agreed to supervise your work] Name: Department: Campus Phone: E- mail: Reason for selecting your mentor: Proposed research project: REFERENCE LETTER [faculty with whom you have studied or worked] Name: Department: Campus Phone: E- mail: Reason for selecting your recommender: PLANS FOR GRADUATE STUDIES AND PROFESSIONAL ASPIRATIONS Mellon Foundation, aims to expand the diversity of students pursuing doctoral degrees in the humanities and in selected social and natural sciences. Fellows are expected to apply to a doctoral program in a Mellon- 3

4 designated field within 39 months of graduation; and pursue doctoral degrees in one of the Mellon- identified areas of academic studies. What is your preferred field of graduate study? Check your field of study. Anthropology/Sociology/Demography/Area Studies/Political Theory English/Literature/Classics/Ethnomusicology/Musicology/Foreign Languages/History/Art History/Philosophy/Religion Mathematics/Physics/Computer Science/Earth Science/Geology/Ecology Why do you believe MMUF in essence is your roadmap to obtaining a PhD? Please be specific. THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS 9 PAGES. A COMPLETE APPLICATION WILL REQUIRE: 1. An application including seven supporting materials found below [pages 2-5] 2. Faculty Mentor Statement [page 6] 3. Faculty Reference Letter [page 6] WAIVER The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation monitors the progress of the students they are funding in order to determine the effects of the fellowship. The Profile Form you have completed with your personal and family background serves this purpose, though the Foundation may request additional information. Any reporting of the data by the Mellon Foundation will not refer to specific individuals. Please agree by checking the box below. I agree to provide any additional information requested of me and I understand that Bowdoin College will release my information to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. I wish to be considered for a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship and understand that, if selected as a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow, it will be my responsibility to fully participate in all aspects of the Program, including relevant off- term research, engaging the application and GRE workshop, conferences, and all other meetings. I affirm that I am committed to obtaining a Ph.D. in a Mellon Mays designated field. I have read and understand the program policy and agree to the terms, goals and expectations of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program. By signing below I affirm that all statements contained in this application are accurate and give permission to Bowdoin College to access my transcripts. Print name: Signature: Date: 4

5 2016 CANDIDACY INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION A complete application packet will contain an original and one copy of the following materials: PERSONAL STATEMENT In 400 to 500 words describe how life experiences and encounters have shaped your personal and intellectual development. The following pointed questions are likely to help in developing your thoughts: Why do I want to participate in the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program? What courses have been most influential in shaping my interests, and motivation to teach at the college/university level? What steps have I already taken to develop my skills as a teacher and researcher? Why am I attracted to my chosen major field of study? In particular, what issues, questions, and themes seem so easily to attract and sustain my intellectual curiosity and why? What basic or fundamental career factors must exist in any college and how will attaining a Ph.D. help me to contribute to eradicating racism and social disparities? ESSAY ON COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY In 200 to 300 words prepare an essay in which you explain how your personal goals and commitment to diversity reflect the legacy of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, for whom the MMUF program is named. A biography of Dr. Mays can be found at benjamin- e- mays. RESEARCH PROPOSAL In words propose a research theme that will guide your work, if selected as a Mellon Mays Fellow. Include a one- page, preliminary annotated bibliography. Please note that applicants are not permitted to change a research proposal after the Fellowship has been awarded. What are the initial factors that prompted your interest in the original research project you are proposing to conduct during the summer before your junior year? What are your goals and objectives? Include a highlight of any coursework or independent study relating to the research question. How will your mentor help you meet your objectives, and what do you hope to gain from this mentoring relationship. Ideally, your mentor will serve as your senior honors advisor. WRITING SAMPLE An original graded paper with comments from the professor that you feel represents your strongest college- level work [10 pages maximum]. ACADEMIC PLAN OF STUDY THROUGH SENIOR YEAR As you articulate your junior year academic plan, please note that MMUF Fellows are not permitted to study abroad fall semester Junior Year or study abroad for an entire academic year. PERSONAL INFORMATION We interested in learning more about you. In one hundred words or less describe any personal information about yourself or your family that you wish to share with the selection committee. AN UNOFFICIAL COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT 5

6 MENTOR STATEMENT [Submit in a sealed envelope. Please note that Faculty sometimes prefer to letters directly to the program office] The professor who has agreed to supervise your work should write this statement. Their area of research should complement the area of interest you have identified in your statement. Please note: Every applicant is encouraged to share his/her research proposal with the faculty mentor for critical feedback and to provide the mentor the best possible sense of his/her academic goals. Potential MMUF Faculty Advisor/Mentor must be on campus and not on sabbatical during your first summer in the program. You may also communicate with them trough electronic LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION [Submit in a sealed envelope. Please note that Faculty sometimes prefer to letters directly to the program office] Each applicant should select someone [an additional faculty with whom they have studied or worked] who can discuss his/her potential for a career in one of the Mellon designated areas of study. Submit all of the above material by Friday, March 11, 2016 to: Anne Clifford, Program Administrator Boody- Johnson House, Room Maine Street, Brunswick, ME INCOMPLETE OR LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE You will receive an e- mail notification that confirms receipt of this application and will be notified formally if you have been selected for an interview with the selection committee. Questions about the program may be directed to the: Program director, Rosemary Effiom [email protected], or Program administrator, Anne Clifford [email protected]. Applicants are also encouraged to seek advice from members of the Mellon Mays Faculty Advisory Committee: Professor Charles Dorn [email protected], Professor Mark Foster [email protected], Professor Matthew Klingle [email protected] Professor Roy Partridge [email protected], 6

7 MMUF INSTITUTION BY REGION BOWDOIN COLLEGE Brunswick, Maine BROWN UNIVERSITY Providence, Rhode Island CONNECTICUT COLLEGE New London, Connecticut DARTMOUTH COLLEGE Hanover, New Hampshire HARVARD UNIVERSITY Cambridge, Massachusetts MMUF NORTHEAST REGION SMITH COLLEGE Northampton, Massachusetts WELLESLEY COLLEGE Wellesley, Massachusetts WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY Middletown, Connecticut WILLIAMS COLLEGE Williamstown, Massachusetts YALE UNIVERSITY New Haven, Connecticut BARNARD COLLEGE New York, New York BROOKLYN COLLEGE Brooklyn, New York CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK New York, New York Member since 2001 BRYN MAWR COLLEGE Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania CORNELL UNIVERSITY Ithaca, New York HAVERFORD COLLEGE Haverford, Pennsylvania DUKE UNIVERSITY Durham, North Carolina MMUF NEW YORK CITY REGION MMUF MID- ATLANTIC REGION MMUF SOUTH REGION COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY New York, New York HUNTER COLLEGE New York, New York QUEENS COLLEGE Flushing, New York PRINCETON UNIVERSITY Princeton, New Jersey SWARTHMORE COLLEGE Swarthmore, Pennsylvania UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA Philadelphia, Pennsylvania UNCF MEMBER INSTITUTIONS Allen University, Benedict College, Bennett College, Bethune- Cookman University, Claflin University, Clark Atlanta University, Dillard University, Edward Waters 7

8 EMORY UNIVERSITY Atlanta, Georgia RICE UNIVERSITY Houston, Texas UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO San Juan, Puerto Rico Member since 2015 UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Austin, Texas Member since 2014 College, Fisk University, Florida Memorial University, Huston - Tillotson University, Interdenominational Theological Center, Jarvis Christian College, Johnson C. Smith University, Lane College, LeMoyne- Owen College, Livingstone College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Morris College, Oakwood College, Paine College, Paul Quinn College, Philander Smith College, Rust College, Saint Augustine s College, Saint Paul s College, Shaw University, Spelman College, Stillman College, Talladega College, Texas College, Tougaloo College, Tuskegee University, Virginia Union University, Voorhees College, Wilberforce University, Wiley College, and Xavier University. Members since 1989 MMUF MIDWEST REGION CARLETON COLLEGE Northfield, Minnesota GRINNELL COLLEGE Grinnell, Iowa MACALESTER COLLEGE St. Paul, Minnesota OBERLIN COLLEGE Oberlin, Ohio UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO Chicago, Illinois WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS St. Louis, Missouri NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Evanston, Illinois Member since 2007 CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Pasadena, California MMUF WEST COAST REGION UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES Los Angeles, California CLAREMONT COLLEGES CONSORTIUM (Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, Pitzer College, Pomona College, Scripps College) Claremont, California Member since 2014 HERITAGE UNIVERSITY Toppenish, Washington STANFORD UNIVERSITY Palo Alto, California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT RIVERSIDE Riverside, California Member since 2014 UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO Albuquerque, New Mexico Member since 2014 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Los Angeles, California WHITTIER COLLEGE Whittier, California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY 8

9 Berkeley, California UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN Cape Town, South Africa Member since 2001 MMUF SOUTH AFRICA UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND Johannesburg, South Africa Member since 2007 UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE Bellville, South Africa Dr. Benjamin E. Mays 9