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Gates |
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Introduction
The
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation established a major
scholarship program in 2000 to bring outstanding students
from countries around the world to Cambridge University.
The program provides for a maximum of 230 Gates Cambridge
Scholars in residence at any one time, 100 of them from
the U.S. Through this initiative, the Foundation hopes
to create a network of future leaders who will bring
new vision and commitment to improving the life circumstances
of citizens in their respective countries. Over time,
it is intended that Gates Cambridge Scholars will take
a lead in addressing global problems related to health,
equity, technology and learning, areas in which the Foundation
is deeply engaged.
Scholarships are for tenure of one to three years,
with a possible extension to a fourth year. In some
cases, it is possible to pursue a second undergraduate
degree at Cambridge under the scheme. If pursuing a
PhD, candidates may hold a Master’s degree. Scholarships
are awarded only to students who have been admitted
to the University of Cambridge through the University’s regular procedures.
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Quick Facts
| Field of Study |
All
subjects offered at the University, but usually
those addressing global problems related to health,
equity, technology and learning |
| Type |
Graduate
or second undergraduate |
| Place of Study |
Cambridge
University, Cambridge, England |
| Award amount |
Full
tuition; maintenance allowance of about £8,000;
discretionary allowance for study-related activities
of about £1,600 |
| MIT Deadline |
September
4 |
| National Deadline |
October
15 |
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Eligibility
To be eligible you must:
- Be a citizen of any country other than the U.K.
- Normally be under age 30
- Meet the academic criteria for admission to the
University of Cambridge and for the course of study
in your particular field
- Hold a bachelor’s degree before beginning
study at Cambridge
- Have an excellent GPA and high GRE scores
- Meet the minimum standard of English proficiency
required for Cambridge admission, if you are not
a native English speaker
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Selection Criteria
Applicants are chosen on the basis of:
- Exceptional academic achievement and scholarly
promise
- A good match between the applicant’s qualifications
and aspirations and what Cambridge has to offer
- The ability to make a significant contribution
to your discipline while in Cambridge, with a strong
aptitude for research, analysis and a creative approach
to defining and solving problems
- The potential to bring new vision and commitment
to improving the life circumstances of citizens in
your country
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Application (see official site for
details and forms)
Please print out the following checklist and
submit with application
Copies of applications must be submitted to MIT, 12-189.
Complete applications consist of the following materials:
- One original and four copies of the completed Cambridge
Graduate Application Form (GAF). A Gates Scholarship
can only be awarded to a student who has been admitted
to Cambridge through the University's normal academic
admission procedures. This application includes the
GAF, 2 references, a transcript, research proposal
and a curriculum vitae.
- One original and four copies of the completed Cambridge
Graduate Scholarship Application Form (USASAF 2005
for U.S. citizens). This includes an application
form, one reference, and a personal statement. Application
forms must be submitted by the applicant's referee, not directly
by the applicant, along with the letter of reference.
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Timeline
| Spring |
- Meet with a foreign scholarship advisor.
Appointments can be made by sending mail to scholarships@mit.edu or
by visiting the Distinguished Fellowships Office
in 12-189.
- Subscribe to: scholarships@mit.edu to
receive information about upcoming workshops,
fellowship deadlines, etc. Send mail toscholarships@mit.edu to
be added to the mailing list.
- Attend a Fellowships Workshop.
- Fill out a Gates
Pre-application Form. On receipt of this form,
the Distinguished Fellowships Office will open a file
for you. All applications must be processed
and endorsed by the MIT Distiguished Fellowships Office.
- Line up your recommendations before leaving
campus
for the summer. Provide your referees with all the
information they need to supply a letter of recommendation
by September.
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| Summer |
- Download forms and information.
Applicants must apply to Cambridge University directly
(by using the GAF). A Gates scholarship can only be
awarded to a student who has been admitted to Cambridge
through the University’s normal academic admission
procedures. Make sure that you apply before the deadline
set for your course of study. Cambridge graduate applications
are available at http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/gsprospectus/gsrequest.html
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| September |
- Seek the advice of faculty, staff and fellow
students to increase the strength of your application.
Staff in the Distinguished Fellowships Office are
available to critique your essays.
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| September
4 |
- Copy of completed application materials due
to MIT (for all but potential “affiliated
students”).
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| October
15 |
- Cambridge and Gates Scholarship graduate
applications due to Cambridge.
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| February |
- Interviews for selected U.S. candidates in
Annapolis, MD (The Trust will reimburse travel
and other expenses).
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Winners
Talia Gershon 2008
Naveen Krishnan 2008
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