David L. Boren Awards for International Study

The national application deadline for the Boren Scholarship is only a few weeks away.  Hopefully, you have already met with your Boren Scholarship Campus Representative.  As you put the finishing touches on your application, be sure to follow this advice.  In order for your application to be competitive, you must:   

Provide an explanation of why you selected your study abroad program.
You should demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about the program you intend to pursue and that you selected it based on how it will help you to meet your particular goals.  You may want to include information about the program’s formal (classroom) and informal instruction, the quality and scope of the program's language component, and the administrative structure of the program.  Since not all study abroad programs are right for every student, you should demonstrate how the program you selected is right for you.  This is also your opportunity to explain how you plan to maximize and really take advantage of your time overseas. 

Clearly address national security.
You must explain the significance of your studies to U.S. national security.  We apply a broad definition of national security (see article “What do we mean by national security?”).  So, you should not feel compelled to limit your focus or concentrate your essays in an area in which you are not truly interested.  Keeping in mind the Boren Awards’ emphasis on national security, you must tie your current academic plan, your study abroad experience, and your future career goals into one strong narrative that makes the case for your Boren Scholarship. 

Demonstrate your commitment to serious language study.
Hopefully, you have selected a study abroad program that includes serious language study at a level that is appropriate for you.  Your language learning should not be limited to the classroom, however, and you should also look for opportunities to learn the language outside of the classroom.  Since the Boren Awards focus on less commonly studied languages, it is o.k. if you have never studied the language before. Regardless of how much experience you have in the language, you should explain why you have selected the language and demonstrate that you are committed to learning it.  Be specific about your language goals and include a plan for continuing to study the language once you return from overseas. 

Give specific and realistic career goals. 
Your application will be more competitive if you can be specific about how you would like to fulfill the service requirement.  Explain how the Boren Scholarship will contribute to your career aspirations and how those, in turn, will contribute to broader U.S. security interests.  If you are unsure about your future career goals, investigate different areas of federal service that you believe will best meet your goals, based on your academic background and the region of the world in which you plan to study.  Visit your institution’s career center and utilize online resources such as http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ and http://www.studentjobs.gov/ to find positions that interest you.  You should also demonstrate that you have an understanding of the actual selection process and the skills that are required for the position.  

Make sure your essays clearly answer the questions provided.
There are two statements of purpose, both of which include several questions.  Do not answer these questions one by one.  Instead, you should write two integrative and comprehensive essays that clearly answer all of the questions asked. When you finish writing your essays, take a break.  Then, go back, read each question, and see if your essay provides a sufficient response.  You should also have your campus representative and recommenders read your essays.  Additional professors who have experience in the location you plan on studying or who are interested in national security may have additional insight.  Listen closely to their suggestions.  If any of them have questions, our panelists will also have questions. 

Ensure your reference letters are meaningful and arrive on time. 
Two letters of recommendation are required, and a third letter is optional.  If your letters have not been submitted yet, visit the people you have asked to write your letters of recommendation during their office hours.  Remind them of your request, discuss your Boren statements with them, and provide another copy of the Boren Scholarship Reference Form.  Read the November newsletter article “Obtaining Strong Letters of Reference” for additional suggestions and keep in mind that the letters must be original, signed, and submitted in a sealed envelope. 

Avoid spelling, grammatical, or syntax errors.
This should go without saying, but applications with spelling, grammatical or syntax errors go in the “do not recommend” pile quite quickly.  Not all problems can be solved by the spell check function on your computer.  If your campus has a writing center, utilize it.  If not, have multiple people proofread your essay to look for any mistakes.