Paying for College with Prestige Scholarships
Many highly competitive Prestige Scholarship and fellowship programs provide exclusive benefits, like stipends, access to specialized training and even professional placement to secure a job after graduation. Because of the perks, outstanding candidates with extreme intellect, leadership ability, commitment to community and strong character are sought for the scholarships below, no matter what their educational background is. Take a look at the list of Prestige Scholarships below.
Snapshot: The Top Prestige Scholarships in Practice
Winning certain national fellowships or prestigious scholarships means students will spend a year or more of their lives studying abroad at one particular university. Others offer students a choice of institutions. Here are a few accounts of what life is like after winning a scholarship to select universities.
Churchill Scholars
Where Students Go to School
University of Cambridge
What Academic Life is Like
Students account for about one-fifth of the population of Cambridge. “I was given the opportunity to attend the University of Cambridge as a Churchill Scholar,” a past scholarship recipient writes. “It was an unforgettably adventurous year: total immersion in the unique academic environment of Cambridge, blessed with the chance to pursue my research of interest in a world-class lab.”
What Campus Life is Like
Students work hard, but they also play hard. There are hundreds of clubs to join, formal college balls, more than 80 sports, and the town is steeped in college tradition. American student Deanie Vallone says, “picture massive candlelit dining halls, billowing black gowns, glamorous balls, boat races, and Latin prayers. Elements such as these made Cambridge a home.”
Source: Churchill Scholarship “What They Say”, “What it’s Like Being at Cambridge as an American Student”, 2013
Henry Luce Foundation Scholars
Where Students Go
Luce Scholars receive placements in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
What Professional Life is Like
Placements are intended as learning opportunities in Asian countries, so students may find themselves in a very structured, or unstructured environment. “Our experiences vary wildly in geography, work setting, and cultural norms,” says Annie Peyton, a Luce Scholar in Bangkok.
What Personal Life is Like
Scholars do not typically work together or near one another, but scheduled Assessment Meetings offer opportunities for them to come together and get to know one another more informally. Peyton says, “I think we all benefited from hearing each other’s frustrations and uncertainties, embarrassments, and triumphs.”
Source: “Growing on the Happiness Graph: My Fellowship Highs and Lows”, 2016
Knight-hennessy Scholars
Where Students Go
Stanford University
What Academic Life is Like
With a four to one student to teacher ratio and world-class faculty, students describe the academic experience as engaging, diverse, and flexible enough to allow students to craft their own academic experience. The school provides a Graduate Gateway and other details on the Stanford Experience for Knight-Hennessy students to explore.
What Campus Life is Like
At Stanford, more than 97 percent of undergrads live on campus all four years, which may be a testament to the campus culture. A perk for Knight-Hennessy scholars is exclusive use of the Denning House, a lake-view hub and central meeting place for students in the program.
Source: Knight-Hennessy Scholar Stanford Experience, 2017
Rhodes Scholars
Where Students Go
Oxford University in England
What Academic Life is Like
The Rhodes can be an incredible experience; however, going to Oxford can dramatically “change your life” says Emma Pierson, a Rhodes Scholar recipient. “I estimate that two-thirds of American Rhodes Scholars in long-distance relationships at the beginning of my year were not in relationships at the end,” Pierson says.
What Campus Life is Like
For many, life at Oxford is a mix of intense education, frenetic social events, competitive athletics, and partaking in many curious and odd traditions and rituals with new friends. The university provides a look into a week in the life of a student for those who are curious.
Source: “Advice on Sample Essays for Prospective Rhodes, Marshall, NSF, NDSEG and Hertz Applicants“, 2015
