Valparaiso University's Course for Students Pursuing Nationally Competitive Scholarships

The Scholar in Society course is designed for students applying for nationally competitive post-graduate opportunities such as Fulbright, Marshall, Mitchell, Truman, Rhodes, Rotary Ambassadorial, Jack Kent Cooke, and National Science Foundation scholarships and fellowships.

The course aims to

• Raise awareness of significant international and domestic issues with which all well educated people should be familiar
• Build skills and confidence in presentations and discussions, and in social and professional interactions
• Assist students in clarifying and articulating their roles after college, particularly their anticipated post-graduate education
• Mentor students through the application process for competitive post-baccalaureate opportunities, including graduate school applications and fellowships

Students must be actively pursuing at least one post-baccalaureate competitive scholarship or fellowship.  Although the timeline of the scholarship application process drives much of the course structure, the seminar is designed to provide significant independent benefit to students - it is not simply an administrative "scholarship prep" course. Students will learn to write polished personal statement, acquire and effectively present information on public and international affairs, and become more adept and comfortable with social etiquette and protocol.