Churchill Scholarship
Website: https://www.churchillscholarship.org/
Churchill Scholarships offer American students of exceptional ability to pursue graduate studies (master’s degree) in sciences, engineering and mathematics for 9-12 months at the University of Cambridge based at Churchill College. The scholarships are highly competitive and covers tuition fees, and living expenses, and travel expenses.
Eligibility
- Be a U.S. citizen (native born or naturalized)
- Be a senior who is enrolled in classes or has graduated in the past 12 months
- Hold a bachelor's degree by the start of the award and have not attained a doctorate
Application Material
- Churchill Scholarship Application
- 1-page Proposed Program of Study
- 2-page Personal Statement
- Correspondence with a potential lab supervisor (if applicable)
- Transcripts
- University of Cambridge Application
- 4 letters of recommendations
- University Endorsement
University Endorsement Process:
University endorsement is a competitive process and not guaranteed. Students seeking University of Utah endorsement must submit certain application components by the University’s deadline. The University of Utah may endorse up to 2 students per year for the Churchill Scholarship. The endorsement process requires an interview with the University-designated committee.
Selection Criteria
- Demonstrated academic excellence
- There is no miminum GPA, but most applicants have a very high average
- Achievement in STEM course, especially in the major, as indicated by course grades and recommendation letters
- Proven talent in research
- Applicants in the sciences and engineering will demonstrate extensive lab experience, internships, or other related work
- Applicants in mathematics will show substantial independent work or other projects
- The Churchill Scholarship Committee looks for originality and creativity
- Outstanding personal qualities
- The Churchill Scholarship Committee does not seek "well-rounded" applicants; instead, it seeks applicants with what they call interesting "jagged edges"
- The Churchill Scholarship Committee takes into account interests and achievements outside of research, but it does not favor any particular kind of activity
Timeline
-
Early May
Churchill Scholarship Application Opens- Select a course
- Check the Programs of Study page for a list of eligible and ineligible course
- Applicants interested in the MASt in mathematics should first read the Foundation's guide, Part III Mathematics for Churchill Scholars
- Register at the application web portal and fill out the online application
- Request 4 academic letters of recommendation
- You should seek 4 people who are directly familiar with your academic or research work. They must submit their letters of recommendation through the online portal
- When you request letters, they will receive an email linked to the instructions and an upload portal
- Apply to the University of Cambridge
- The Churchill Scholarship is only tenable at Churchill College, so you must put Churchill College as your first choice on the Cambridge application
- The scholarship is only for a 1-year Master's degree so your application must be for an MPhil or MASt, or in rare cases an MRes
- Because of Cambridge's rolling admissions, the Churchill Scholarship committee strongly suggests that you apply by the deadline for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, which is Mid-October
- Complete your online application
- Compete your online application and press "SUBMIT"
- If you are selected as a nominee by your institution, you may request to "unsubmit" your application to continue to work on it until close to the deadline
- Select a course
-
Late August
University deadline -
September 1
University of Cambridge Application Opens
-
Early September
University interviews for potential applicants
-
Mid-October
University of Cambridge deadline
-
Early November
Churchill Scholarship national application deadline
-
Early December
Notification of finalist selection and interviews
-
Early February
Notification of selection
-
Awards
- 15 per year
Length of Scholarship
- 1 year
Make an Appointment with an Advisor
Contact Information
Director: Ginger Smoak
Advisor: Alison Shimko