This year the OSU Truman Scholarship Committee will again select up to four junior* students to compete for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, which has a value of up to $30,000. This prestigious scholarship was created by Congress for those who intend to pursue careers in public service, defined by the Truman Scholarship Foundation as:

Employment in government at any level, uniformed services, public-interest organizations, nongovernmental research and/or educational organizations, public and private schools, and public-service oriented non-profit organizations such as those whose primary purposes are to help needy or disadvantaged persons or to protect the environment.

Award

Up to $30,000 for graduate or professional school

Eligibility

• *Junior standing (one more year of full-time undergraduate study beginning Fall 2016)
• 3.50 minimum cumulative GPA
• United States citizen or U. S. national
• Record of public and community service

To Apply

Submit the information requested on the back of this page by October 28, 2016.

The OSU committee will interview several of the most promising candidates in November following a preliminary screening of applications.

See website for more information: http://www.truman.gov

2017 TRUMAN SCHOLAR

OSU APPLICATION

1. Personal details: Name, address, phone, email, legal state of residence, expected graduation date and undergraduate degree;
2. Attach a resume (no more than two pages) in which you give information on your educational background, honors, awards, activities, jobs, etc. Please make separate divisions for high school and college;
3. Describe in one paragraph a specific example of your leadership abilities;
4. Describe in one paragraph your most satisfying public service activity (different from #3);
5. What are the three most satisfying or helpful courses you have taken in preparation for your career? Explain briefly, using one or two sentences for each course.
6. Describe the graduate education program you intend to pursue if you should receive a Truman Scholarship;
7. What do you hope to do, and what position do you hope to have, immediately upon completing your graduate studies? Five to seven years later?
8. Essay: In approximately 500 words, analyze a significant public policy issue or problem that is in your intended area of public service. Present your analysis in the form of a memo to the government official who you feel has the most direct authority to resolve the issue (e.g. President, Cabinet Office, Governor, Chair of a legislative committee). Your memo should define the issue, lay out your proposed solution, identify major obstacles to the implementation of your solution, and recommend a specific course of action. Provide statistical data, if necessary, to put the issue in context and support your recommendations.

Include the following with your application:

• Two letters of recommendation from a faculty member, department head, or academic advisor;
• A copy of your fall schedule (to help arrange interviews);  An official college transcript.

Deliver all application information by 5:00 pm Friday, October 28, 2016 to the Henry Bellmon Office of Scholar Development & Undergraduate Research, 334 Student Union.

OSU finalists will be notified regarding the interview portion of the competition shortly after the deadline. Interviews will be scheduled for early November.