Harvard College

Harry S. Truman Scholarship

2022-2023 Application for Institutional Nomination

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION (from the Truman Foundation website):

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation—the federal memorial to our thirty-third President—awards
merit-based scholarships to college students who plan to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public
service. Scholars are required to work in public service for three of the seven years following completion of a
Foundation-funded graduate degree program as a condition of receiving funding.

Eligibility:
Applicants must be Harvard College juniors, and U.S. citizens, in the upper quarter of their class. (Harvard
does not rank students; candidates with a GPA of 3.7 or above are likely to be qualified.)

Benefits:
Truman Scholars receive up to $30,000 for graduate or professional school, participate in leadership
development activities, and have special opportunities for internships and employment with the federal
government.

Selection Criteria:
Candidates should be able to demonstrate significant and deep commitment to public service and leadership.
Scholars are selected on the basis of:
 extent and quality of community service and government involvement;
 leadership record;
 academic performance, writing and analytical skills; and
 suitability of the proposed program of study for a career in public service.

The Foundation defines public service as employment in government at any level, uniformed services, public-
interest organizations, nongovernmental research and/or educational organizations, public and private
schools, and public service-oriented nonprofit organizations such as those whose primary purposes are to help
needy or disadvantaged persons or to protect the environment.

Please consult the Truman Foundation website for an overview of the program, samples of exemplary
responses to questions, and other competition information. If you are selected as a Harvard College
nominee, you (and your recommenders) will be asked to complete the official online application.

CONTINUE TO THE NEXT PAGE FOR APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS.

 Harvard College
Harry S. Truman Scholarship
2022-2023 Application for Institutional Nomination

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND ORGANIZE THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS FOR YOUR APPLICATION:
■ APPLICATION FORM and PUBLIC POLICY PROPOSAL
Complete the form on the following pages and submit it as your application cover sheet. Entering your name in the
“Signature” box will constitute your signature. The proposal is to be in the form of a brief memorandum to an office
holder in position to implement its recommendations. It should describe an issue briefly, suggest action to address
the issue, and identify major obstacles to implementation. If your proposal includes references, footnotes, or
exhibits, include these on the second sheet provided.
■ CURRENT UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT
Download your unofficial transcript from my.harvard.edu.
■ THREE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
The three letters of recommendation must separately address the following:
 one must address your “leadership potential and abilities,” and must reference the leadership example given
by the applicant in their application
 one must address your “commitment to a career in public service,” and
 one must address your “intellect and prospects for continuing academic success.”

(It is common for recommenders to talk about many qualities in their letters, but each of these should have a focus,
as indicated.) The recommender addressing your leadership qualities must also reference the example of your own
leadership that you describe in your application.

Recommendation letters should be addressed to the “Truman Scholarship Selection Committee” and submitted
online by your recommenders, following instructions they will receive once you designate them (see below). Please
ask your recommenders to indicate which of these aspects of your candidacy they are addressing in their letters, and
to do so literally in their opening paragraph.

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION AS FOLLOWS:

1. LOG IN TO CARAT USING YOUR HARVARD KEY and confirm that your profile information is correct.
2. BROWSE FOR THE APPOPRIATE OPPORTUNITY AND CLICK “APPLY”
Fill out all required fields.
3. REQUEST RECOMMENDATIONS (via “References” tab)
You are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to solicit recommendations at least three weeks ahead of the application deadline.
Once you have provided name (Last, First) and contact information for your recommenders, YOU MUST CLICK
“Send Reference Request” under each recommender’s entry in order for CARAT to send the notification to your
recommender’s email. “Save and Next” will NOT submit your recommendation requests.
4. UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENTS
All documents must be submitted concurrently, in PDF format. No supplementary materials will be accepted.
5. SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION (via “Submission” tab)
Enter your HUID and click “Submit”. The date and time of your submission will be noted, and late applications will not
be accepted.

If you or your recommenders have questions about this application or the online submission process, please contact the
Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships at (617) 495-5095 or fellowships@fas.harvard.edu.

   DEADLINE: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022 at 11:59pm (ET)   

Truman Scholarship Application
I, have read and understand the conditions of the Truman Scholarship as explained in the current Notes to
Candidates for Scholarships and the current Bulletin of Information. I affirm that I plan to pursue a career in public
service as defined in those documents. I give permission to officials of my institution to release transcripts of my
academic record and other information requested for consideration in the Truman Scholarship program. I
understand that this application will be available only to qualified people who need to see it in the course of their
duties. I waive the right to access letters of recommendation written on my behalf. If selected as a Truman Scholar,
I agree to attend the Truman Scholar Leadership Week and Awards Ceremony, in Liberty and Independence,
Missouri. I affirm that all of this application, including the policy proposal, is my own work for formally cited from
other sources. I affirm the information contained herein is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date Signature

Legal name in full

(Print/Type) Last Name First Name M.I.
Permanent residence
Number, Street, and Apartment Number

City State ZIP

Your address at school
(if different) Number, Street, and Apartment Number

City (if studying abroad, add country) State ZIP

How is permanent residence established? Home telephone ( )
(At least two must apply.)
School telephone ( )
Home address for school registration (if different)
Place of registration to vote E-mail address
Family’s primary residence
Other: Date of birth Age
Month/Day/Year
(Check one) I am a U.S. citizen U.S. national Resident alien expecting citizenship by the date of award
Will you be studying in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, or India during the Spring semester? Yes No
(If yes) Where?

Name of nominating institution

Current cumulative GPA on a scale of
Your undergraduate major(s)
Number of college credits earned to date Total number of credits required for graduation
Expected date to receive baccalaureate degree Degree you will receive
Graduate degree(s) sought Concentration(s)
11. If selected as a Truman Scholar, would you apply for the Washington Summer Institute? If yes, where would
If selected as a Truman Scholar, would you apply for the Washington Summer Institute? If yes, where would you like to
work and what issues would you like to address? (900 characters max)
1. List the secondary school from which you graduated, and all higher education institutions attended. Include summer,
study-abroad, exchange programs and your nominating institution (up to six).

School Location Dates Attended

2. List college and high school activities (student government, sports, publications, school-sponsored community service
programs, student-faculty committees, arts, music, etc.). List in descending order of significance. You will have space
for eight college and four high school activities.

College Activity Dates Offices

High School Activity Dates Offices

3. List public service and community activities (homeless services, environmental protection/conservation, advocacy
activities, work with religious organizations, etc.). Do not repeat items listed previously. List in descending order of
significance. You will have space to list six.
# of Weeks
Activity Role Dates Active
4. List up to six government activities (internships with government agencies, partisan political activities,
ROTC/military, municipal boards and commissions). List student government under Item 2.
# of Weeks
Activity Role Dates Active

5. List up to six part-time and full-time jobs and nongovernment internships since high school graduation.
Average # of
Type of Work Employer Dates Hours/Week

6. List up to six awards, scholarships, publications or special recognitions you have received. List in descending order of
significance.

7. Describe one specific example of your leadership. (The writer of your letter of recommendation re: Leadership Abilities
and Potential must confirm this experience.) (max 2000 characters)

8. Describe a recent particularly satisfying public service activity (do not repeat experience described in 7). (The writer of
your letter of recommendation re: Public Service must confirm this experience.) (max 1700 characters)

9. Describe the problem or needs of society you want to address when you enter public service. (If possible, use statistical
data to define the magnitude of the problem.) (max 1500 characters)

10. What are the three most significant courses you have taken in preparation for your career? (max 250 characters per
course)

11. Describe the graduate education program you intend to pursue if you receive a Truman Scholarship. (max 1700
characters)
12. What do you hope to do and what position do you hope to have upon completing your graduate studies? (max 1500
characters)

13. What do you hope to do and what position do you hope to have five to seven years later? (max 1500 characters)

14. What additional personal information do you wish to share with the Truman Scholarship Foundation? (max 2000
characters)
POLICY PROPOSAL. The proposal must relate to the problem [s] you identified in Item 9. (max 500 words total, 2000
characters per section requested)

To: Office Held:

Issue:

Problem Statement

Proposed Solution

Major Obstacles/Implementation Challenges

References, Footnotes and Exhibits