Mitchell Scholarship

NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR AY24-25

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
The Mitchell Scholars Program, named to honor former US Senator George Mitchell's pivotal contribution to the Irish peace process, is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service. Up to twelve Mitchell Scholars between the ages of 18 and 30 are chosen annually for one year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Eligibility:
Applicants must be graduating Harvard College seniors or alumni under the age of 30 (as of September 29th of the year of application), and must be U.S. citizens. Applicants may be in any field of study, so long as an appropriate degree or certificate program exists in an institution of higher learning in Ireland. Although applicants are welcome to study a field different from their undergraduate concentration, applicants will still need to show they have the necessary academic or professional training to take on the proposed program. **Alumni candidates for the Mitchell Scholarship should NOT go through the university endorsement process, see the Mitchell website for instructions to apply directly.**

Benefits:
The Mitchell Scholarship provides tuition, housing, a living expenses stipend, and a round trip airline ticket for one year of study in Ireland. 

Selection Criteria:
Applicants are judged on three criteria: scholarship, leadership, and a sustained commitment to community and public service. All three areas are equally important. Membership or participation in a long resume of extracurricular activities is less convincing than demonstrating a significant, tangible impact on a candidate's community or school.

Because the Mitchell Scholarship seeks to introduce future American leaders to the island of Ireland, lack of previous experience there could weigh in favor of a candidate among equally qualified applicants. Previous or current study in Ireland, however, does not preclude someone from being selected as a Mitchell Scholar.

Applicants will be asked to list at least three (and up to five) institutions in Ireland and/or Northern Ireland at which they would like to study, and will not be able to express a preference. The Mitchell Scholarship committee will make the final institutional designation.

SPECIAL DIRECTOR’S NOTE
The Mitchell Scholarship national application requires a 1,000 word personal statement essay. Like the Rhodes, the Mitchell Scholarship requires that all applicants must sign an attestation that this essay is their work, and has not been closely edited or revised by anyone else. Because of this, for the Harvard endorsement process please provide answers to the three endorsement questions outlined on the following page in lieu of submitting your essay.  (You may get editing help for your responses to these questions.)

 

  • Intent to Apply Survey Form due: August 1 at 11:59pm via Qualtrics
  • Endorsement applications due: Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 11:59pm
  • Endorsement committee meeting: ~September 7
  • National deadline: Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 5:00pm (ET) (receipt)
  • National semi-final interviews: TBA
  • National final interviews: TBA

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