Start early!
Fellowship applications need careful thought, and some will
require background research. Allow time to get
feedback on your drafts, and to revise accordingly-probably
several times. You will probably need letters of
recommendation from faculty and others.
Start even earlier! Ideally, you will present a
consistent pattern of academic and extracurricular
activities that fit the fellowship’s purpose. A personal
history is not built in one semester. If your interests and
goals change along the way, that’s fine too; think about
how to connect your new-found passion with your previous
experiences.
Draft your personal statement! A personal statement
is central to many fellowship applications. For some it is
virtually all you will submit. The first draft is the
hardest, so start now.
Note overlapping opportunities! Several different
fellowships may match your goals and experience. Do the
research to find out, and build on the work you’ve already
done.
Consult the experts! Fellowship advisors, your own
academic advisors and professors, and the Graduate
Fellowships Coordinator are here to help you explore these
opportunities at any stage in your Pomona career. Don’t
wait until you see an announcement of something that looks
interesting-take the initiative to let your professors,
advisors, and mentors know about your hopes and dreams for
life after Pomona, and ask them for advice on sources of
funding to help you get there.
Stay in touch! Watch for fellowships announcements in
the Digester, on bulletin boards, and in your
email. Our web site cannot list all of the many fellowships out
there, so look for announcements throughout
the year.
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