Truman Scholarship

Overview

The Truman Scholarship seeks juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education, or elsewhere in the public service. The scholarship supports graduate or professional study, leadership training, and fellowship with other scholars who are committed to making a difference through public service.

  • Campus Deadline: Friday, 30 October 2015, 3PM (Pacific Time)
  • Application workshop: Monday, 28 September 2015, 4-5PM, Sweet Hall, Room 118
  • Award:
    • Up to $30,000 for the Scholar's graduate studies toward a public service-related degree, open to many fields of study
    • Truman Scholars Leadership Week (mandatory for Scholars)
    • Summer institute (10-week program immediately after college graduation)
    • Truman Fellows Program (after Summer Institute, a full year of public service work and study in Washington, DC)
    • Scholars are required to work in public service for three of the seven years following completion of a Foundation funded graduate degree program as a condition of receiving funding
  • Campus liaison: Dr Vivienne Fong (Undergraduate Advising and Research)
  • More information at: The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nomination by Stanford through Undergraduate Advising and Research
  • U.S. citizen or a U.S. national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
  • Full-time Junior expecting to receive the bachelor's degree between December 2016 and August 2017.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.6
  • Commitment to a career in public service
  • Strong record of leadership, public and community service
  • Able to attend the Truman Scholars Leadership Week
  • Complete online application
  • Must be available for an interview, if shortlisted.  Interview date(s):  Wednesday, 18 November 2015; Friday, 20 November 2015

How to Apply

The following steps must be completed for an application to be considered for campus nomination:

  1. Register with Undergraduate Advising and Research to participate in the campus competition
  2. Email vpue-fellowships@stanford.edu to acquire your unique login for the Truman website
  3. Consult with Truman campus advisors regarding the content and writing of your application
  4. Using your unique username, complete the online application at the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation website. A sample application is provided to help prepare for the online submission.
  5. Request 3 confidential letters of recommendation, one for each of the following topics (review Tips for Soliciting Letters of Recommendation; you may find it helpful to use the cover sheets in the Foundation's sample letters) :
    • Academic achievement: Intellect and prospects for continuing academic success
    • Commitment to a career in public service
    • Leadership abilities and potential
  6. Letters can be sent by the writer to vpue-fellowships@stanford.edu or in sealed hardcopy form to Sweet Hall, First Floor, Attn.  Fellowships
    • it is recommended that you confer with the Truman campus liaison before finalizing your choices for recommendations
    • begin this process early to allow for creation and submission by the deadline
    • see Tips for soliciting letters of recommendation
  7. Submit the following materials to the UAR front desk on the first floor in Sweet Hall by the campus deadline:
    • Unofficial Stanford transcript, 5 copies
    • Request an electronic version of other offical college transcript(s) to be sent to vpue-fellowships@stanford.edu. If you can only obtain hard copies of a transcript, submit one original and five copies.
    • Printed version of your online application, 5 copies
    • A longer, annotated resume that provides rich details for the experiences/achievements that you list, 5 copies.
    • Three letters of recommendation (original only, additional copies not necessary)
      • letters may be sent electronically from the writer to vpue-fellowships@stanford.edu or in sealed hardcopy form to Sweet Hall, First Floor, Attn. Fellowships
    • Sign the "Fellowship Nomination Permission Form and Waiver" at the front desk to complete the submission process

Note: Late applications will NOT be accepted without prior approval.

Selection Process

The Truman Scholarship is by nomination through Stanford only.  A committee of UAR staff and faculty will review applications to shortlist candidates for interviews, and select up to four campus nominees.  Campus nominess will work with advisors in preparation for the regional finals in March.

Additional Resources

You are strongly encouraged to consult with your faculty mentors on the application, and with UAR advisors who have experience with this competition. To schedule an appointment with the Truman campus liaison, please visit here.