University of Illinois

Summer Priority Deadline

The priority campus deadline for Gates Cambridge, Marshall, Mitchell, and/or Rhodes scholarships, (for study beginning Fall 2013) is June 1, 2012. Second semester Juniors, Seniors, Recent Alumni, & Graduate/Professional students with a 3.7+ GPA are encouraged to apply. Illinois applicants should submit the following materials to 807 S. Wright Street, Floor 5 or as email attachments to topscholars@illinois.edu:

  1. Transcripts from all colleges attended (for campus purposes, photocopies are okay, as is your academic history printed from UI-Integrate for Illinois courses).
  2. 3-8 Letters of Recommendation - Primarily Academic (These may be draft letters sent directly to the National and International Scholarships Program via email at topscholars@illinois.edu.) The more quality letters that are received, the better.
  3. A "Résumé" with dates listing academic honors, awards, activities (collegiate, community, cultural, and other extracurricular), research, exhibitions, significant work experience/internships, and whatever else you feel should be shared. Include a one-line description of each written towards an audience outside your discipline and outside the University of Illinois.
  4. Essays
    • Personal Statement (< 1,000 words in 12 point font and double spaced): Describe who you are, your intellectual growth, beliefs, past experiences, and future goals.
    • Choice of University(ies) (< 500 words each in 12 point font and double spaced): Include your choice of major and outline proposed research or classes for each university you would like to apply for. Name each degree program and length of course (i.e. "one-year taught MPhil in Technology Policy at Cambridge under a Gates"). Most importantly, indicate why you are interested in that particular program. Of course, it is also helpful if you specify which scholarships at which universities you are interested in pursuing.

Note: Be creative and interesting. Show; don't tell. Strong essays paint a picture, tell a story, or demonstrate rather than simply tell the reader about your area of proposed study, your reasons for study in the UK/Ireland, and how you "fit" the profile of a Marshall, Mitchell, Gates, or Rhodes scholar. As such, these essays should not amount to a narrative rendition of your resume. How do you hope to make a difference to your discipline and/or to the betterment of society?

All priority application materials are due by 5PM, Friday, June 1.
Submit materials to 807 S. Wright Street, Floor 5.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I submit a priority application?

A campus committee will review all materials submitted by the priority deadline and provide feedback on your application's strengths and weaknesses. Applicants and recommendation writers may then revise their work over the summer before officially submitting an application before the fall campus deadline of August 28, 2012.

Do I need to submit the actual (Marshall, Rhodes, etc.) scholarship application?

No. In fact, many applications are not even ready at this point. You will, of course, need to submit the actual scholarship application(s) for the August campus deadline.

I won't be in Champaign for the priority deadline. In what form do you need the materials?

All priority application materials may be submitted remotely. Transcripts may be sent directly to the National and International Scholarships Program. Referees may directly send letters of recommendation (even by email) to the Program, and you may send your personal statement, choice of university statement(s), and résumé as email attachments.

What if I miss the priority deadline?

You are still encouraged to submit materials before the autumn campus deadline. The difference is that you will receive feedback solely from the National and International Scholarships Program and not from other reviewers across campus.

Why don't the scholarships I'm interested in share the June 1 priority deadline?

These awards have deadlines later in the year. However, you are ENCOURAGED to submit your application drafts of these scholarships early for advice and feedback from the National and International Scholarships Program. Fulbright applicants have their own priority application requirements and separate priority deadline of July 2, 2012.