The Mitchell Scholarship Program, named to honor former US Senator George Mitchell's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service.

Up to twelve Mitchell Scholars between the ages of 18 and 30 are chosen annually for one year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Applicants are judged on three criteria: i) scholarship, ii) leadership, and iii) a sustained commitment to community and public service.

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Who should apply?

The Mitchell Scholarship selects applicants based on their records of academic excellence, leadership, and community service. Reviewers look for persuasive, documented evidence of achievement in these three areas, with equal importance and weight given to each area. Applicants are also evaluated on personal characteristics of honesty, integrity, fairness, and unselfish service to others, which indicate a potential for future leadership and contribution to society.

To be eligible, you must:

• be a U.S. citizen
• be under age 30 on the application deadline
• be a graduating senior, recent graduate (within two years of graduation date), or current graduate/professional student, or recent graduate

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How to Apply

To apply for this award, you must be endorsed by Drexel University. We hold an open campus competition for nomination beginning each Spring.

Step 1: Submit an Intent to Apply Form

Deadline: May 15

Students interested in seeking Drexel University endorsement for the Mitchell Scholarship should submit an Intent to Apply form as soon as possible to set up a meeting with the Mitchell Scholarship campus representative to discuss the program and steps you can take to become a more competitive candidate.

Qualified students who submit an Intent to Apply form by May 15 each year will work closely with a Fellowships Advisor and experienced Drexel faculty/staff, who will help the candidate clarify goals and values, assist with application details, and contribute to draft the letter of endorsement on behalf of the University.

Candidates who submit an Intent to Apply after May 15 are not guaranteed the same level of advising, but will be considered for university endorsement if they submit materials by posted campus endorsement deadlines.

Please note: in accordance with new Mitchell Scholarship requirements, you are limited in the feedback you can receive on your personal statement. Learn more about the application process and components on the Mitchell website.

Step 2: Campus Endorsement

Deadline: August 1

You must submit a full draft of the Mitchell application by this deadline be considered for Drexel endorsement (required to apply for the program). If you are not already receiving advising on this award, please contact fellowships@drexel.edu for instructions on how to submit these draft materials. Unlike other awards, submission of your materials through the online Mitchell application is final and cannot be reversed by the Drexel campus representative.

The Drexel University Selection Committee will endorse only those candidates who demonstrate potential to be Mitchell Scholars, based upon their written application materials and a brief interview.

Step 3: National Deadline: September

Endorsed students must submit a complete application, including revised materials and four letters of recommendation by the date posted on the Mitchell Scholarship website.

Undergraduate Research and Enrichment Programs will submit an official University Endorsement Letter to the US-Ireland Alliance by late September. Shortly following this date, applicants will receive instructions to complete a short video interview, in which you will be asked three questions and given 30 seconds to compose your thoughts before responding. A semi-finalist interview may or may not be conducted via video conference. Finalists will be invited for another interview in mid-November. We will coordinate mock interviews for those students called to an interview. The final selection will be announced shortly after the interview.

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More Information

More information about the Mitchell Scholarship, including application tips and samples, is available on our Fellowships Resource Site.

For official information on the Mitchell Scholarship (which supersedes any information provided here) and access to the online application, please visit the Mitchell Scholarship website.

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Related Awards:

Marshall Scholarship; Rhodes Scholarship; Fulbright U.S. Student Program; Schwarzman Scholars

Last updated: March 2024