Beinecke Scholarship
Description
The Beinecke Scholarship Program was established in 1971 to honor Edwin, Frederick, and Walter Beinecke. William Sperry Beinecke, the creator of the Beneicke Foundation, was an advocate for business support of charitable and educational institutions. The program aims to encourage and enable highly motivated students to pursue graduate opportunities in the arts, humanities and social sciences. There are no geographic restrictions on the use of the scholarship, and recipients are allowed to supplement the award with other scholarships, assistantships and research grants. Scholars are encouraged to begin graduate study as soon as possible following graduation from college and must use all of the funding within five years of completing undergraduate studies. Each year approximately 135 colleges and universities are invited to nominate a student for a Beinecke Scholarship, and up to 20 new scholarships are awarded.
Award
Each Beinecke Scholar receives a total of $35,000 in support of their graduate education. Scholars receive $5,000 immediately prior to entering graduate school and an additional $30,000 while attending graduate school.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen or U.S. national
- Full-time matriculated junior
- Receiving need-based financial aid during undergraduate years
- Plan to enter a research-focused doctoral program in the arts, humanities, or social sciences or a MFA program
Application Materials
- Application form
- Resume or CV
- Personal statement of 1,000 words or less describing the applicant's research or creative interests for graduate study and career aspirations beyond these studies. The statement should also include a discussion of the most relevant academic, professional, extracurricular, and personal experiences that have influenced or shaped the applicant's interests and plans.
- Unofficial transcript
- Three letters of recommendation from faculty members assessing the applicant’s intellectual curiosity, character and potential for advanced graduate study
- Letter of institutional endorsement by Wesleyan
- Financial aid data sheet certifying that the student qualifies for need-based financial aid
Selection Criteria
- Demonstrated superior standards of intellectual ability, scholastic achievement and personal promise during undergraduate career
- Degree of financial need is a secondary, tie-breaking consideration in the national selection process