WHAT IS THIS FELLOWSHIP?
The Fellowship is awarded to exceptionally talented and creative people in all fields, of any nationality. The Foundation provides Fellows an opportunity for a focused and disciplined Wanderjahr of their own devising, a period in which they can have some surcease from the lockstep of prescribed educational and career patterns in order to explore with thoroughness a particular interest. During their year abroad, Fellows have an unusual, sustained, and demanding opportunity to take stock of themselves, to test their aspirations and abilities, to view their lives and American society in greater perspective, and, concommitantly, to develop a more informed sense of international concern.
In selecting Watson Fellows, the foundation is most concerned with holistically identifying individuals who demonstrate integrity, imagination, strong ethical character, intelligence, the capacity for vision and leadership, the promise of creative achievement and excellence within a chosen field, and the potential for humane and effective participation in the world community. A candidate's academic record, while not of primary importance, is also considered, together with those extracurricular activities which reflect both initiative and serious dedication.
The proposed project should reflect a candidate's genuine interest in, and long-standing commitment to, a specific concern, whether or not this interest is evident in a formal course of study. The project must be one that can be pursued with great independence and adaptability. It should not repeat earlier experiences nor involve formal study at a foreign institution. It must involve travel to areas where the student have not previously lived or studied for a significant length of time. It should immerse the fellow in life in other places. Fellows are not intended to return home at any time during their Fellowship year. In short, the project should be personally significant, imaginative, and feasible.
The Watson Fellowship provides a grant of $22,000 to each recipient. (Fellows whose spouse or dependent child will accompany them may be eligible for a grant of $31,000.) In addition, the Foundation will supply, as a supplement to the Fellow's stipend, an amount equal to twelve-months' payment of outstanding federally guaranteed student and institutional loans (based on 12 months of repayment).
HOW DO I APPLY?
First off, you need a fabulous idea -- one that is creative, feasible, and personally significant; the desire to spend a full year abroad; honesty and integrity. You need to present this through a
1. The project proposal should explain exactly what it is you propose to do, and why. This needn't (and probably shouldn't) sound like a research paper, but it should present enough background and detail to make clear that you know what you're talking about. A proposed project need not (and in many cases should not) be directly related to your major or career plans, but you should be able to demonstrate that it reflects some strong and continuing interest.
In writing the proposal, it helps to make a clear and concise statement early on such as "My project is X; to explore it I will go to a, b, and c." In the proposal, you should try to anticipate and answer questions that might be raised about the feasibility of your project. For instance, would there be language barriers for your particular project, and if so, how would you prepare to deal with them? Will the fellowship money cover your proposed project? What kind of time frame works for carrying out your particular project? If your project would require meeting with particular people or visiting a particular agency, how do you know that would be possible? Some applicants have already made preliminary contacts and will want to present letters or documentation from them, but for many proposals this is not necessary. It's up to you to decide what you need to present to make your best case.
You don't need to have worked out a week-by-week itinerary; indeed, some indication of flexibility will probably be to your advantage. At the same time, you should demonstrate that you've thought pragmatically about what you'd actually do in a Watson year. In other words, you shouldn't say simply that you want to investigate Icelandic theater; you should explain which theaters you want to visit, about how long you'd spend at each, whether you'd do interviews, and if so, of whom . . . and so on. The more evidence you can present that your approach is solid and practical, the better. At that same time, the Watson Foundation is looking for creative proposals; you have to strike a balance between groundedness and creativity, flexibility and feasibility.
2. Your personal statement should focus more broadly on yourself: it should make clear how this proposed project grows out of your experiences and previously demonstrated concerns, and how it reflects your values, priorities, and goals. It should also consider how you imagine you might be changed, educated, and rewarded by being able to carry out this project.
3.The application requires two recommendations. At least one of these letters should come from an Oberlin faculty member. Be sure to discuss your project at length with your references and to provide them with a copy of your proposal and personal statement well in advance of the application due date. The recommendations are a very important part of the process; they give the Foundation and the Oberlin committee a chance to learn more about you. They must be turned in by the application deadline.
4.The Watson Foundation is looking for people with the capacity for self-directed leadership as well as for projects that come out of a demonstrated interest. A list of your extracurricular activities can help to communicate those things.
5. Be sure to get an official transcript from the registrar.
Proposals are due Friday, October 1, at 12 noon in the Fellowships Office, Peters G28.
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WHAT'S NEXT?
After this initial application, the Oberlin Watson Committee will read all files and select 8-12 students to interview. Of these, four students will be nominated and be interviewed by a representative from the Watson Foundation.
WHAT KIND OF HELP CAN I GET?
Foundation also maintains a very informative website at www.watsonfellowship.org. See also www.oberlin.edu/faculty/lmcmilli/watson.htm.
The Watson liaison at Oberlin is Laurie McMillin, King 139A, x 58164, laurie.mcmillin@oberlin.edu.
Carol Sedgwick, the fellowships advisor, can also help you; she's in Peters G28.
Proposals of previous Oberlin winners are on file in the Fellowships Office, Peters G28.
READ ON: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WATSON