Schwarzman Scholars

A call for future leaders

Interested candidates will participate in a rigorous and thorough selection process, designed to identify the most promising young leaders from around the world. The process includes an online application and credentials evaluation as well as in-person regional interviews. Those selected will have demonstrated their potential to not only benefit from but also contribute to the Schwarzman Scholars program.

Required forms and records include:

• A complete and successfully submitted online application, including the requested personal statement(s) and supplementary components below.
• Uploaded transcripts/academic records from every college or university attended (degree or non-degree, full or part-time, undergraduate or graduate). If transcripts are not in English, official translations must be included.
• Four electronic letters of recommendation.  At least one of these letters must come from a recommender who can comment on the specific examples of leadership described in the candidate’s application, but the recommender must at least be able to comment on the candidate’s leadership qualities from direct knowledge of the candidate. Recommendations must be translated to English by a professional translator if written in another language.
• For currently enrolled undergraduate students, one of the four letters should be an institutional letter of recommendation: This brief letter should provide the following information:  If this student is an undergraduate, is s/he on track to complete all requirements for a Bachelor's Degree (or its equivalent) before August 1, 2017; If this student is an undergraduate when will the degree be awarded; Is there anything additional and specific about this candidate that you feel the selection committee should know that is not likely reflected in other parts of the application? Especially helpful are insights that explain academic accomplishments, awards, or extracurricular activities in the context of the university/college, things that an application reader might now know about that particular institution, for example: “This award is given to only one student per year at our college.” This letter of assessment may be completed by different offices, depending on the university. In many universities in the United States, this type of assessment is provided by a Fellowships Office or a comparable university-wide service office. In other universities, it might be completed by the dean of students or the university registrar. More information is available on the Campus Representatives FAQ.

• Video: Submission of a video is strongly recommended but not required.  The video  can be up to one minute in length, and candidates are invited to introduce themselves in any style or setting they think best conveys their interests and personality. Note: the file must be less than 20MB in order for you to upload it to the application.
• An essay in three sections: The essay falls into three distinct sections.

1. Personal Statement (up to 750 words): Describe your professional interests and values and how the Schwarzman Scholars program and deeper knowledge of China will help advance your goals. Describe both your short-term objectives for the 1-3 years after the program and your long-term aspirations.  How will you contribute to the community of Schwarzman Scholars and to the program’s mission?
2. Leadership Essay (up to 750 words): Describe one specific example where you exercised leadership. The essay should examine your personal characteristics that constitute your potential for leadership including: the ability to anticipate upcoming trends; the ability to inspire others to join in an effort to create change; and the character, values, and determination to persevere despite difficult and changing circumstances; or any other personal characteristics that you think are key to your success as a leader.
3. Current Affairs Essay (up to 500 words): Choose an issue in contemporary social, international, business, environmental, diplomatic, arts, or other policy that is of interest to you. This essay should lay out the current factors and trends influencing the topic and make a realistic recommendation of how local, national, or international leaders should intervene to contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous future.
• Current resume/CV: Please submit a resume or c.v. appropriate for any application for employment in your country. This can be no longer than 2 pages.

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.

Key dates

Applications will open this March and April for the 2017/2018 class of Schwarzman Scholars. There are two sets of opening and closing dates for Schwarzman Scholars applicants to accommodate different timelines for graduate school applications in China. All candidates should carefully study the deadlines and requirements outlined below:

Applicants who hold passports from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao will apply online from March 23 to June 15, 2016. Finalists will be notified before July 1, and will attend interviews to be held at Tsinghua University in Beijing, July 6-9. Final admissions decisions for Chinese Schwarzman Scholars will be announced before October 1, 2016. The application for Chinese candidates can be accessed on the Tsinghua University Schwarzman Scholars webpage. Link: http://www.sc.tsinghua.edu.cn/column/application

Applicants holding a passport from any other country, will apply between April 15, 2016 and September 15, 2016. Finalists will be notified in mid-October if they are to be invited to interviews. Interviews will take place in Bangkok (October 28th), London (November 2nd), and New York (November 7th), with candidates being invited to the geographically closest location.

China Application System

• Applicants who hold passports from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao must apply via the China application system
• Online application opens on March 23, 2016 and closes on June 15, 2016
• Interviews: July 6-9, 2016 in Beijing
• Admissions Decisions will be made before 1 October 2016.

United States/Global Application System

• Applicants from all other countries and regions must apply using the global application system (see below for exceptions)
• Online application opens on April 15, 2016 and closes on September 15, 2016
• Interviews: Bangkok (October 28th), London (November 2nd), and New York (November 7th)
• Admissions Decisions will be made by mid-November 2016

Exceptions:

• Applicants with Chinese passports who hold legal permanent residency in another country, and who do not intend to work in China after graduation are free to choose to apply via the US/global application system. Evidence of legal permanent residency must by provided at time of application.
• Candidates who are uncertain which application and deadline applies to their situation should secure written clarification before June 1 by emailing admissions@sc.tsinghua.edu.cn.
• Applications will not be considered in the US/Global system from those who hold passports from China, Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan without prior written approval.
• Due to the change of schedule and the challenge for applicants to book seats in TOEFL and IELTS in China, applicants using the China Application System may submit exam scores later in the year to admissions@sc.tsinghua.edu.cn, with a deadline of October 1, 2016. Applicants must explain why they are not submitting their score and provide existing results of tests such as the College English Test (CET) and Test for English Majors (TEM), under the column “Additional Information” in the online application system. Otherwise, the application won’t be considered eligible.

Further detail is available in the Instructions to Applicants (link below) and in the Admissions Frequently Asked Questions page.