MMUF Scholarship Application Process
The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) application process is designed to assess your academic potential, research abilities, and commitment to diversity in academia. Here's a breakdown of the key components you'll need to prepare for a successful application.
- Personal Statement Write an essay that highlights your academic background, interests related to the MMUF goals, and your motivation for applying. This statement should also articulate how your life experiences and academic goals contribute to a diverse academy.
- Research Proposal Present a clear, concise description of the research topic you plan to pursue during the fellowship. Include research questions, methods, and the significance of your proposed project.
- Work Plan Outline a timeline or detailed plan illustrating how you intend to conduct your research and complete project milestones during the fellowship period.
- Writing Sample Submit an academic paper or essay that demonstrates your research and writing skills, preferably related to your field. The writing sample should showcase your ability to analyse, argue, and present a thesis with supporting evidence.
- Unofficial Transcript Include a copy of your academic transcript, saved as a PDF, to show your coursework and GPA.
- Proposed Mentor Statement Obtain a letter or statement from a proposed faculty mentor who commits to advising you during your fellowship research.
- Faculty/Staff Recommendations Gather two or more letters from faculty or staff who can attest to your academic abilities, research potential, and suitability for the fellowship.
- Peer Recommendation If possible, include a letter from a peer that speaks to your character and potential to succeed in an academic research environment.
For those interested in the Oberlin Summer Research Institute Fellowship (OSRI), you'll need to create a revised research proposal fitting an eight-week research timeframe, and submit a detailed work plan that outlines how research will be divided over two academic years and one summer. Also, prepare a writing sample of up to 1,500 words or 5 double-spaced pages.
Remember to include a letter from your proposed MMUF faculty mentor, addressing the field(s) and/or discipline(s) of the proposed research project, its soundness and significance, the faculty mentor's interest in working with you, the mentor's travel or leave plans, commitment to weekly meetings, and plans for uninterrupted in-person mentorship. If your proposed faculty mentor can also act as a recommender, they can combine the mentor statement and letter of recommendation into a single document.
The application deadline for the MMUF program is 11:59 p.m., February 7th, 2025. After receiving your completed application, you may be contacted to schedule a personal interview. The application should be submitted as a single PDF document. The Research Proposal should be up to 500 words or 2 double-spaced pages, not including a work plan.
For specific formatting instructions, consult the MMUF program website or contact the fellowship office directly for the current application cycle. Good luck with your application!
- In your personal statement, emphasize your passion for education-and-self-development and learning, highlighting how you aim to use the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship to further your academic goals while contributing to a diverse academia.
- Your research proposal should detail a project that not only showcases your learning capabilities but also aims to expand your knowledge, as part of your ongoing education-and-self-development journey in academia.
