Fellowship Application Materials

Biographical Information

This portion of the application includes items such as your address, congressional district, age, and citizenship status. Fellowship sponsors (foundations, businesses, etc.) collect this data to determine applicant eligibility and to statistically track who has shown interest in a particular fellowship.

How can the Department of Career Development help? We will help you match your biographical information with the fellowships and funding opportunities that are best suited for you.

Personal Statement

This portion of the application asks applicants to explain their interests and goals, and discuss how a particular fellowship fits into their long-range professional plans. As an applicant, you should mention both formal (classroom) and informal (co-curricular and experiential) educational experiences. This is also your chance to offer the selection committee a glimpse into your personality and motivation for applying. Discuss how your life experiences have contributed to your career goals, including your academic, research and internship experiences.

How can the Department of Career Development help? We can review your personal statement and provide feedback that will help your application stand out from others. Also, begin the writing process with our Personal Statement Guide.

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Many applications ask applicants to include a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume to convey any relevant information (such as accomplishments or awards) that may not be requested in other areas of the application.

How can the Department of Career Development help? We will help you prepare a resume and/or CV, and offer suggestions on format, content, and how best to present yourself as an applicant.

Transcripts/Letters of Recommendation

For most awards, you will need to order official transcripts from the Registrar's office for every college course you have taken, including courses taken at other institutions. You will also need to provide letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or mentors who can speak to your abilities both within and outside of the classroom.

How can the Department of Career Development help? We will help you decide who to ask for a letter of recommendation, and explain the letter gathering and storage process. 

Project Proposal (not required of all fellowships)

Some fellowships, particularly those that fund a project that you have independently conceptualized, will require you to outline your vision for the project, describe prior related experiences, and convey how those experiences have prepared you for your proposed project. If the fellowship will fund research, include ethical considerations, cost of materials, participant recruitment, etc. in your proposal. View Geneseo's IRB Approval application for specific questions that application evaluators may seek to have addressed in a research proposal.

How can the Department of Career Development help? The Department of Career Development will review your project proposals in conjunction with your professors or other experts in that field to support your success.