Academic Honors and FellowshipsFourth Year
Many fellowship deadlines fall in third and fourth year. Skills developed through applying for fellowships will translate to graduate school and professional job applications as well as intentional self-reflection on long-term goals.
How to Prepare
Fellowship applications are not one-size-fits-all. The following are suggestions for building a portfolio in your fourth year:
Complete a senior honors thesis
Approach faculty for letters of recommendation
Finish remaining coursework with an excellent GPA
Prepare and submit fellowship applications – meet with AHF staff and mentors
Practice interview techniques
Wait patiently for awards notifications
Develop alternative plans
Celebrate your accomplishments!
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
Fourth 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 Scholar Distinctions
Commencement honors (Renaissance, Global, and Discovery) recognizing signature academic achievements at the undergraduate level.
senior
Boren Scholarship
Up to one year of study abroad, with focus on language study and future career paths in national security or the federal government.
first-year – senior
Churchill Scholarship
One year graduate degree funding in STEM fields at University of Cambridge.
senior and alumni
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
CSPC Presidential Fellows Program
Leadership conferences in Washington, D.C. for research on U.S. Presidency or Congress.
senior and 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
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Full-time postgraduate degree funding for any subject at the University of Cambridge.
senior and alumni
Gilman International Scholarship
Year-round study abroad funding for Federal Pell Grant recipients.
first-year – senior
Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
Full-time postgraduate degree funding in any subject and leadership program at Stanford University.
senior and alumni
Luce Scholarship
One year internship placement and stipend for students with limited exposure to Asia.
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
George J. Mitchell Scholarship
One year Masters degree funding for 1 of 9 institutions in Republic of Ireland. 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
Schwarzman Scholars Program
One year Master of Global Affairs degree program and leadership program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
senior and alumni