boren scholarships: crafting competitive essays national ...€¦ · national deadline: february 9,...

A National Security Education Program Initiative Administered by the Institute of International Education

Boren Scholarships Crafting Competitive Essays

National Deadline February 9 2016 Students are encouraged to work closely with their campus representatives who will set earlier on-campus deadlines

bull Provide funding for undergraduate students to study in areas critical to national security

Africa Asia Central amp Eastern Europe Eurasia Latin America Middle East

bull Emphasize learning less commonly taught languages bull Promote long-term linguistic and cultural immersion bull Require 1 year of service in the federal government

Eligibility Must be a US Citizen matriculated in an undergraduate degree program in the US

Introduction General Essay Tips Essay 1 Essay 2

10 Tips for a Competitive Application


bull Draft your essays

bull Read the questions again

bull Make sure you have addressed each component

1 Answer Our Questions


2 Use Transitions

Address all components in one cohesive response (not point by point)


3 Donrsquot Tell Us What We Already Know

hellipldquoMy name is Joe and I am applying for the Boren Scholarshiprdquohellip

4 The Essay is Not a Research Paper

bull Do not include footnotes bull Do not include quotes from

famous politicians hellipldquoHenry Kissinger defines power asrdquohellip


Do Not Start Essays Withhellip hellipWhen I first saw the sun

rise over the Serengetihellip

5 Nor a Personal Statement



6 Spellcheck is not always your friend

hellipI would like to study aboardhellip


7 Use the space provided but be concise

bull If we give you 2 pages do not just write 1 paragraph

bull Donrsquot go off on tangents just to fill the space

bull Donrsquot be redundant


8 Work with your campus reps and advisors

bull Get feedback from your Boren campus representative

bull Ask advisors to review your application


9 Choose Your Recommenders Wisely

bull Meet with them bull Provide a draft of your

essays bull Have them address

feasibility


10 Use all BorenAwardsorg Resources

The information on the website is for your benefit

Essay 1 Significance bull Explain the significance of your proposed country region and

language to US national security bull Describe how the country language and overseas

program you selected will help you achieve your career goals including your plans to fulfill the federal service requirement

bull If appropriate you may also include relevant past academic

extracurricular volunteer internship and professional experiences Be specific

Limit 800 Words


Address National Security based on own background

Address future career interest and service requirement

Explain why you would like to work in particular parts of the government

Relate all components of the essay to one another

Give equal attention to all parts of the question

Vague future goals General national security

arguments Donrsquot use ldquoshopping listrdquo

approach Better to focus on a couple of issues in detail


Essay 2 Study Abroad Description bull Describe the study abroad programrsquos course of study and related

cultural activities

bull Describe the language component in as much detail as possible including the number of classroom contact hours

bull Describe your past experience in studying or speaking the language

(or another language if relevant)as well as your plans for continuing to study andor speak the language following your Boren Scholarship

Limit 800 Words


Be clear about why the study abroad program is right for you

Give concrete language study examples ndash in and out of class

Explain preparation (if a new language explain why)

Show ongoing commitment

Weak reasons for picking the study abroad program (ex ldquoMy school offers itrdquo)

Listing language goals as an afterthought


Boren Scholarships A National Security Education Program Initiative

Administered by the Institute of International Education 1400 K Street NW Suite 650

Washington DC 20005

boreniieorg 1-800-618-NSEP

wwwborenawardsorg

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bull Provide funding for undergraduate students to study in areas critical to national security

Africa Asia Central amp Eastern Europe Eurasia Latin America Middle East

bull Emphasize learning less commonly taught languages bull Promote long-term linguistic and cultural immersion bull Require 1 year of service in the federal government

Eligibility Must be a US Citizen matriculated in an undergraduate degree program in the US









2 Use Transitions





























feasibility









Limit 800 Words












cultural activities




Limit 800 Words











Washington DC 20005


wwwborenawardsorg

Slide Number 1

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Slide Number 3

Slide Number 4

Use Transitions









Slide Number 14

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2 Use Transitions





























feasibility









Limit 800 Words












cultural activities




Limit 800 Words











Washington DC 20005


wwwborenawardsorg

Slide Number 1

Slide Number 2

Slide Number 3

Slide Number 4

Use Transitions









Slide Number 14

Slide Number 15

Slide Number 16

Slide Number 17

Slide Number 18




























feasibility









Limit 800 Words












cultural activities




Limit 800 Words











Washington DC 20005


wwwborenawardsorg

Slide Number 1

Slide Number 2

Slide Number 3

Slide Number 4

Use Transitions









Slide Number 14

Slide Number 15

Slide Number 16

Slide Number 17

Slide Number 18









Limit 800 Words












cultural activities




Limit 800 Words











Washington DC 20005


wwwborenawardsorg

Slide Number 1

Slide Number 2

Slide Number 3

Slide Number 4

Use Transitions









Slide Number 14

Slide Number 15

Slide Number 16

Slide Number 17

Slide Number 18











cultural activities




Limit 800 Words











Washington DC 20005


wwwborenawardsorg

Slide Number 1

Slide Number 2

Slide Number 3

Slide Number 4

Use Transitions









Slide Number 14

Slide Number 15

Slide Number 16

Slide Number 17

Slide Number 18










Washington DC 20005


wwwborenawardsorg

Slide Number 1

Slide Number 2

Slide Number 3

Slide Number 4

Use Transitions









Slide Number 14

Slide Number 15

Slide Number 16

Slide Number 17

Slide Number 18

boren scholarships: crafting competitive essays national ...€¦ · national deadline: february 9,...

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