App Truman
App Truman
App Truman
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 web site (www.truman.gov) 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.
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.
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.
The Foundations website [www.truman.gov] offers guidance in completing your materials, samples of exemplary
responses, and other competition information. The application, policy proposal, and letter of recommendation forms
are available both as templates and PDF files on the website.
Date Signature
If you have more activities, work experience, and/or awards than the space allows, list only those you consider most
significant. Inserts, attachments, and additional pages will not be accepted.
Application page 1 of 5
Name
____
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
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
Application 2 of 5
Name
4. List government activities (internships with government agencies, partisan political
activities, ROTC/military, municipal boards and commissions). List student government
under Item 2. # of Weeks Active
Activity Role Dates
5. List part-time and full-time jobs and nongovernment internships since high school graduation.
Average # of
Type of Work Employer Dates Hours/Week
6. List 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.) Limit 2000 characters including spaces.
Application page 3 of 5
Name
Approved for use through 08/03
8. Describe a recent particularly satisfying public service activity (do not repeat experience described in 7). Limit 1700
characters including spaces
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.) Limit 1500 characters including spaces
10. What are the three most significant courses you have taken in preparation for your career? Briefly explain why
these courses were most significant.
11. 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? If no, what are your plans for the summer after you graduate?
Application page 4 of 5
Name
12. Describe the graduate education program you intend to pursue if you receive a Truman Scholarship.
Limit 2000 characters including spaces
13. What do you hope to do and what position do you hope to have upon completing your graduate studies? Limit 900
characters including spaces
14. What do you hope to do and what position do you hope to have five to seven years later? Limit 900 characters including
spaces
15. What additional personal information do you wish to share with the Truman Scholarship Foundation? Limit 2000
characters including spaces
Application page 5 of 5
POLICY PROPOSAL The proposal must relate to the problem [s] you identified in Item 9.
Do not exceed 500 words.
To: Office Held:
Issue:
Problem Statement
Proposed Solution
Signature: Date:
Name