Third Year
Many fellowship deadlines fall in third and fourth year. Continue research, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, community engagement, relationships with faculty, and an excellent academic record.
How to Prepare
Fellowship applications are not one-size-fits-all. The following are suggestions for building a portfolio in your third year:
Maintain a strong GPA with challenging and intentional coursework
Take coursework that aligns with your research interests
Meet with AHF to begin application processes
Expand leadership roles beyond positional influence
Revisit career goals (remember the Career Center) and develop a 5-10 year plan
Study abroad in the Fall or Spring semester
Attend programs to help prepare for fellowships including the programs below
Start to think about applying for USC Scholar Distinctions (Renaissance, Global, Discovery)
Attend Writing Workshops during the spring semester
Attend Lessons From Abroad Conference and/or use their booklet to reflect on your narrative from study abroad
Attend Research and Fellowships Week
The goal of the week is to discuss opportunities that support research, graduate study, language learning, teaching, and internships within the U.S. and abroad.
Open to students of all academic levels, staff and faculty, attendees participate in interactive panels and workshops to explore USC programs and external post-graduate possibilities.
Applications to Consider
Third year applicants may be eligible for the following opportunities:
USC Academic Achievement Award
Funding to support USC undergraduate student traveling to African countries for study, research, internships, or service-based learning.
sophomore – senior
USC Africa Student Fund
Funding to support USC undergraduate student traveling to African countries for study, research, internships, or service-based learning.
first-year – senior
USC Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service
10-week, full-time government service summer internships with elected officials and agencies at the federal, state or local level.
sophomore – junior
Astronaut Scholarship
$10,000 scholarship recognizing exceptional undergraduate STEM research.
sophomore – junior
Beinecke Scholarship
$34,000 of need-based graduate school funding for Ph.D. or terminal degree in arts, humanities and social sciences.
junior
Critical Language Scholarship
8-10 week summer overseas intensive language and cultural immersion program to learn 1 of 15 critical-need languages.
first-year – graduate student
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
One year Study/Research grant in over ~140 countries OR one year English Teaching Assistantship grant in over ~75 countries. USC campus process begins spring of junior year at the earliest.
senior and alumni
Marshall Scholarship
Graduate degree funding in the United Kingdom to promote US and UK exchange. USC campus process begins as rising senior at the earliest.
senior and alumni
Rhodes Scholarship
1-3 years of graduate degree funding at the University of Oxford. USC campus process begins as rising senior at the earliest.
senior and alumni
Truman Scholarship
Up to $30,000 for graduate school for students with extensive record of public service intending to pursue careers in government or other public sectors.
junior
Udall Scholarship
$7,000 merit-based scholarship for students pursuing careers in tribal health, tribal public policy, or the environment.
sophomore – junior