Schwarzman Scholars are selected from an international pool of eligible candidates who are expected to demonstrate academic excellence, exceptional results in their field, and outstanding leadership qualities.
Applications for the 2023 Schwarzman Scholarship is currently ongoing for eligible candidates who wish to study in China with a deadline set for September 19, 2023. This scholarship is open to all fields of undergraduate study to apply provided the applicants are ready to articulate how participating in Schwarzman Scholars will help develop their leadership potential within their field.
The English language proficiency requirement is waived for applicants who studied at an undergraduate institution where the primary language of instruction was English for at least two years of the applicant’s academic program. The requirement will also be waived for applicants who have studied in English for two or more years at a Master’s degree level or higher.
Understanding the application process, procedures, and necessary documents required is very important.
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to successfully submitting your 2023 Schwarzman Scholarship application and fulfilling your dream of becoming a Scholar in China.
ELIGIBILITY FOR THE 2023 SCHWARZMAN SCHOLARSHIP
The 2023 Schwarzman Scholarship is open to global citizens from various countries, including the United States, Indonesia, Nigeria, South Korea, and others. If you’re reading this, you are eligible to apply.
The scholarship is specifically for individuals pursuing a Master’s degree.
To be eligible for the Scholarship:
- You must have a Bachelor’s Degree from any university worldwide and intend to pursue a Master’s Degree in China.
- As an undergraduate, you can apply if you are in your final year and will complete your Bachelor’s Degree before August 1 of the enrollment year.
- Applicants must be at least 18 but not yet 29 years old as of August 1 of the enrollment year.
- English proficiency test is required for non-native English speakers, except for those who studied in an undergraduate institution with English as the primary language of instruction for at least two years.
If you meet these criteria, you are eligible to apply
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THE 2023 SCHWARZMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Of course, the organizers of the Scholarship Award will ask you to submit some documents through an online application portal. Before you start or proceed with your application, you must understand and prepare these documents.
Here are the documents needed for the 2023 Schwarzman Scholarship:
- Resume: A current version of your resume or CV (maximum 2 pages).
- Essays: The two required essays are a Leadership Essay (750 words) and a Statement of Purpose (500 words). The essays are a critical component of the application, designed to help the selection committee understand you as an individual and get a sense of your leadership abilities/potential, as well as your writing and analytical skills.
- Transcript/Academic Record: You are required to scan and upload official transcripts for each degree-granting post-secondary education institution you attended.
- Letters of Recommendation: Recommenders should know you well and be able to speak to your intellectual abilities, personal characteristics, and leadership potential using specific examples from their direct experience working with you.
- Video Introduction: Provide a short video self-introduction of no more than 1 minute. Introduce yourself in any style or setting you think best conveys your interests and personality. The point of this recording is to allow the committee to hear you introduce yourself in your voice and style.
The supporting documents listed here are required to apply. We discourage applicants from submitting any supplemental materials that are not required, such as portfolios, writing samples, additional recommendations, etc. Such materials will not be shared with the Review Committee and getting these documents ready before proceeding to apply will save you stress.
Once the above conditions are met, you can now proceed to the application portal to begin your online application.
APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE 2023 SCHWARZMAN SCHOLARSHIP
In this section, we will take you through the application process and you can as well download the pdf version of the application instruction by clicking here.
- Application Page: The online application form must be completed in English, and all requirements must be submitted electronically. No materials sent via email or mail will be accepted.
- To begin, create an account to start a new application. The provided email address will be used for all communication regarding your admissions status. After creating an account, you’ll receive a system-generated email with a temporary PIN to activate your account. If you don’t see the email, check your spam/junk folders before seeking further assistance. Add adm[email protected] to your safe sender’s list.
- Once you have an account, click “Start New Application” to begin. You can save and continue your work at any time before the September 19, 2023 deadline. It’s recommended to apply early. To save your progress, click “Continue.”
- Returning users who created an account in 2021 or later should log in as returning users to start a new application. Some information may be carried over, such as personal details, listed schools, uploaded transcripts, and professional experience. Review and update this information as needed before final submission. For applicants who applied or started an application before 2021, please create a new account.
2. Personal Information:
This section requests applicant’s biographical and contact information. You must list your legal name, nationality, gender, place of birth, and date of birth exactly as they appear (or will appear) on your passport. You are also required to provide your current address, phone number, and your primary native language. You may begin the application without having a passport, but we strongly advise having one before submitting your application as a valid passport is required for candidates admitted to Schwarzman Scholars. For those with dual nationalities, the passport you provide in the application must match the primary citizenship you will use to apply for a Chinese student visa if you are admitted to the program.
3. About Me:
- Biographical Profile: Provide a biographical profile of up to 100 words summarizing your leadership accomplishments and future aspirations. This is a required field. Your submitted biographical profile will be used throughout the selection process and on the Schwarzman Scholars website if you are admitted to the program. Your biographical profile should be written in the third person and end with your country of citizenship. For reference, review the profiles of selected Scholars.
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae: Upload your most recent resume or CV. Your resume/CV should include leadership experiences and accomplishments, any professional experiences, education, and other items you wish to highlight that are not stated in the application. Note there is a two-page maximum limit.
- Video Introduction: Provide a link to your one-minute video introduction. A video introduction is highly recommended, but it is not required. If you are unable to submit a video (e.g., due to technical issues), you must provide a brief explanation. Please note that videos shared via Google Drive are no longer allowed.
- Interests: Select up to two interests that best identify with your professional and leadership aspirations.
- Reapplicant Information: If you are a reapplicant, answer the final question with a brief description of your leadership development and changes to your application since you last applied. If you are not a reapplicant, leave this blank.
4: Education:
In this section, provide details regarding your degree-granting post-secondary institutions. Do not list short-term study, certificate programs, or study abroad programs; these may be included in your Resume/CV.
- Add Institution: In the Institution field, search for your university by typing the school name in English or the local language. Use double quotation marks for the official full school name (e.g., “University of X”) to narrow down results. If there are multiple results, click ‘Continued’ to see more. Once you find your school, click the name to select it in the Institution field. If your school is not listed, type the official name and press “Enter”. You must submit transcripts for each institution attended. To be eligible for the current application cycle, complete all undergraduate degree requirements by August 1, 2024.
- Grade Point Average: If your institution provides a numerical average or summary of academic achievement, enter your cumulative grade point average or numerical score exactly as printed on your transcript. Accurately include the numerical grading system used by your institution. If you are reporting a U.S.-style grade point average, it should be the cumulative average for your entire program, not just your major. If your school doesn’t use a numerical system, enter zero and provide the text description indicated on your transcript (e.g., “First Class Honours”) in the “Degree Designation” field. Academic excellence is important for Schwarzman Scholars, so any information or context regarding your educational experience is appreciated. You can briefly explain additional context or clarifications about your academic program in the Additional Information section of the application.
- Transcripts: Scan and upload transcripts for each degree-granting institution attended. Transcripts should include your full name, institution name, and degree conferred with conferral date if applicable. If study abroad credits are included on the degree transcript, no separate study abroad transcript is required. However, if not included, upload the study abroad transcript along with the degree transcript. Ensure all completed study semesters are covered in the transcript upload(s). Current applicants should provide the most recent transcript at the time of application submission. Transcript files must be accessible and not password-protected for the selection committee. Inaccessible transcript files will render the application incomplete and unreviewed. Admitted applicants must provide a hard copy of the final transcript(s) before the program begins.
5. Language Skills
- You are required to list up to three additional languages and rate your proficiency level for each. Exclude your native language mentioned in the “Personal Information” section.
- If English is not your native language, provide official English proficiency test scores as required for the program. Applicants who have completed at least two years of study in an English-speaking program at the undergraduate or graduate level are exempt from this requirement.
- Identify your English language proficiency category:
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- Native speaker of English
- Studied English in an English-speaking post-secondary institution for at least two years, or
- Reporting English language proficiency test scores.
- If you choose the third option, provide the test type, exam date, and scores on the “English Language Test Scores” page. You can submit exam score reports from 2018 onwards due to pandemic-related testing center closures.
- Minimum score requirements for Schwarzman Scholars application:
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- TOEFL iBT: 100
- IELTS: 7
- Cambridge Advanced (C1): 185
- Cambridge Proficiency (C2): 185
6. Leadership Role
In this section, you can highlight up to five leadership roles that demonstrate your leadership experience to the selection committee. Each entry should offer a glimpse into your leadership journey and provide a brief explanation of why the role is important to your leadership profile. Additionally, mention your unique contribution, outcome, or initiative associated with each role. The activities will be arranged based on the most recent start date.
7. Awards and Recognition
In this section, you can highlight up to five notable awards, scholarships, recognitions, or publications that demonstrate your leadership trajectory. For each entry, briefly explain the significance of the activity to your leadership profile and highlight your unique contribution, outcome, or initiative. The activities will be presented in chronological order, starting with the most recent.
8. Professional Experience
List up to two full-time work experiences. Students without full-time, post-graduation employment are not required to complete this section. Lack of full-time work experience does not impact your application negatively. Young professionals with full-time, post-graduation work experience should choose the most relevant category for their employment. Military experience can be included here, with options like Military or Military Student. Part-time work, internships, and volunteer experiences should be emphasized in the Resume/CV section. For full-time remote work or experiences in multiple locations, mention the primary location. Provide a brief role description and highlight notable accomplishments. Select the Experience Category that best matches your professional experience, such as Business, Government, Non-Profit, etc.
9. Essays
Submit two essays and two short answer responses. The essays include a Leadership Essay (750 words) and a Statement of Purpose (500 words). These essays are crucial for the selection committee to understand your uniqueness, assess your leadership skills, and evaluate your writing and analytical abilities. Detailed instructions are provided in the application form. Upload essays as PDF or Word documents. Short Answer responses should not exceed 100 words each. Adhere to word limits to avoid disqualification. Total word count includes footnotes, headers, and titles. Preview uploaded essays before applying.
10. Recommendations
- To register your recommenders, provide their names, titles, and contact information. Click “Send to Recommender” to initiate an email request with a unique submission link. Choose recommenders who know you well, can attest to your abilities and leadership, and provide specific examples. Family members are not eligible as recommenders. Recommenders must follow the instructions in the email request for letter submission. Emailed, mailed, or applicant-uploaded letters will not be accepted.
- For reminders, access the recommender’s details and click “Send Reminder” to generate an auto-generated message. Advise recommenders to check their spam folder.
- You can submit your application without all recommendation letters. To check the status, revisit the “Recommendation” page. You’ll be notified via email when a recommender submits their letter.
11. Additional Information
- Anticipated Interview Location: Select your availability and preferred location for in-person interviews, scheduled on October 25, October 26, November 1, and November 2, 2023.
- Clarification Comment: Use this section to provide additional information, clarify any details in your application, or share any significant impacts related to the global pandemic. Briefly explain any leave of absence, unusual circumstances in your studies or career, or other relevant details.
- Military Service: Indicate your current military status and select an appropriate description if you are serving or have previously served in the military. If this does not apply to you, select “Not Applicable.”
Note: To submit your application, confirm your understanding of the final submission terms by electronically signing with your full legal name. Simply type your full name in the designated field and click “Continue” to proceed. Review your application carefully before submitting it to catch any errors, as all submissions are final. Once submitted, you cannot reopen the application for further edits.
Good luck with your application! We hope this guide helps. Stay updated on scholarship opportunities by signing up for our channels. We look forward to welcoming you as a Scholar soon!