Development
Development
immediately interested. With the opportunity to pursue a graduate degree in Ireland for free, I
knew that I could not pass up the opportunity to apply for this experience. However, I knew it
would be a competitive process. Every year, over 400 students apply for the scholarship with
many of them being from Ivy League Schools. While I felt a bit unqualified to compete against
these individuals, I knew I could put forth a strong application that would be comparable to
theirs. I contacted the Minnesota State University, Mankato Office of University Fellowships to
have them assist me with the application process and I’ve been working with them for the last
several months.
The application was a lot of work and had multiple parts. When first looking at the
endorsement from the university, personal statement, and accomplishments, it seemed like a
daunting process. After reviewing all the different requirements, I began my application. To
start, I had to decide which school I would want to attend and which graduate program I would
want to study. I began by researching all the different universities in Ireland, where they were
located, and the programs that they offered. Over the course of my research, I examined the
different programs that the universities offered as well as opportunities for hands-on, real-world
thinking. I also looked at the US News and World Report ranking of the different universities.
After months of consideration, I finally decided that my application would be geared towards the
University College of Cork’s International Public Policy & Diplomacy Graduate Program. I
chose this program because it would provide me with the opportunity to pursue a degree in
public policy, which would prepare me to work in my ideal career in the anti-hunger policy
world.
After settling on a university and program of study, I conducted research to learn what
the selection committee looks for when choosing candidates for the scholarship. I did this by
closely considering the requirements provided on the website. The website also provided
biographies for all the previous Mitchell Scholars, giving me the opportunity to obtain a general
idea of what sets those who receive the scholarship apart from others. I geared all my
application materials towards arguing that I fit the three pillars of the Mitchell Scholarship
Program: scholarship, leadership, and commitment to community and public service. This
argument included a multifaceted approach to ensuring that I put forward the best possible
application. The most crucial aspect of the application is the personal statement. I made sure to
clearly address the prompts of “Why Mitchell?” and “Why Ireland” while also consistently
making sure that it focused on how I fit the pillars of the Mitchell Scholarship Program. One of
my biggest cases for regarding “Why Ireland” is because of their strong anti-hunger policies.
Currently, Ireland is rated as the second most food secure nation in the world while the United
States is not even in the top ten. As a result, it is evident that they have programs in place that are
more effective than what we have. This was one of the biggest things that I was able to find over
the course of my research and I believe really helped set my application apart.
Following the personal statement, I had to collect four letters of recommendation that
helped bolster my case. When selecting recommenders, I made sure to strategically choose and
focus the messaging of their letters. Each of the letters focused on either my commitment to
fit the pillars of the program. Finally, I had to receive an endorsement from the university. To do
so, I worked closely with Dr. Eric Youngs, the Director of Fellowships at Minnesota State
University, Mankato. Through this process, I was able to gather a large amount of information
and ultimately build an argument that helped prove that I am one of the best candidates for the
program.
that I had been selected as one of thirty-eight semifinalists. Following this revelation, I met once
again with Dr. Eric Youngs and Dr. Leah White to help prepare for the interview. We researched
possible questions and practiced these questions as we prepared for my interview. While I did
not receive the Mitchell Scholarship, this process has taught me so much and that I am capable of
conducting research.
as a career and my future goals. I also learned a lot about research. There are so many different
resources to use when conducting research, including the internet and different books. After
compiling such a large amount of information, I had to evaluate what was the best way to use it
in my application.
I learned a lot about myself and about graduate schools as I researched this program. One
of the most valuable developments that I learned was to tap into my network. Over the course of
my college career, I have built a vast network of individuals who can speak to my abilities as a
leader, student, and community servant. Already having these connections in place ensured that
my application process was seamless. Another strategy I learned was to ask for help when I need
it. Oftentimes, I am very self-sufficient and dislike asking for help. However, when applying for
this scholarship, I was faced with things that I did not know or that I could not do by myself. As
a result, I was forced to lean on others and ask them to help and support me. I also learned a lot
about ethics regarding the process of gathering supporting documents. I had to ensure that the
information I was putting forth was not only high quality, but was also correct. When submitting
this information, it was crucial not to lie or misrepresent any information on the application as
The skills that I learned when applying for the Mitchell Scholarship will be ones that I
use for years to come. I am planning on collaborating with one of my professors in the next year
to conduct research on food insecurity on our campus and in our community. I will utilize the
strategies that I learned, especially the ones relating to leaning on others for help, to ensure that I
am conducting the highest quality of research possible. I will also ensure that I am presenting all
my information ethically. As I look towards grad school, these will be skills I will use time and
again when conducting research and writing papers, ultimately impacting me for the rest of my
life. Overall, the opportunities that have been provided to me when applying to the Mitchell
Scholarship have proven to be invaluable. I ultimately hope I can conduct research in the future
and will use the skills and strategies I developed when applying for the Mitchell Scholarship for
years to come.