Phi Kappa Phi Scholarship

Mercer University Faculty Advisor: Philip Olivier

Program Description and Purpose

Established in 1932, the Fellowship Program awards annually sixty Fellowships of $5,000 each and forty Awards of Excellence of $2,000 each for post-graduate study at accredited institutions of higher learning. The one-hundred scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis for first-year graduate or professional study. Each chapter may nominate one student for the national competition. All national nominees receive a one-year active membership in Phi Kappa Phi.

Selection Criteria and Application Process

A. Undergraduate Academics

Summary of Educational Background
Summary of Academic Program and attachment of transcript(s)
Involvement in Honors and/or Enrichment Programs
Academic Recognition and Awards

B. Undergraduate Campus and Community Activities

Undergraduate and Community Involvement and Leadership
- List activities and leadership positions in academic, cultural, social, athletic, political, volunteer services, other contributions, and employment:
  - Campus
  - Community

C. Graduate Study Prospects

Standardized Test Scores
Graduate Study Plans
- These factors are supplemented with information provided in other areas of the application, such as personal statement and letters of recommendation.

D. Personal Statement (Samples found on Phi Kappa Phi Scholarship Web site)

Clarification of educational and career goals
Personal factors that have influenced educational achievement

E. Letters of Recommendation

Letter of Recommendation request forms provided with application or letterhead attached to a completed recommendation request form.
- Letters should provide information about the applicant's:
  - Scholarship with particular reference to capacity for original work as a graduate student
  - Character and personality attributes
  - Other observations that can assist in appraising the applicant's probable success in advanced study and future career contributions.
- Letters should be limited to approximately 350 words; therefore, they should not focus on:
  - Exceptional quality of the teaching of those writing letters of recommendation
  - Difficulty of the courses taught by those writing letters of recommendation
  - Scores received by the student on various exams and papers submitted

Advice to Fellowship Applicants

Be clear, concise, complete, and neat!
Explain weak grades, anomalies or "gaps" in your academic record.
Include all relevant undergraduate campus and community leadership, service, and employment.
Share your personal rationale for your choices of graduate institutions.
Select persons who know you both as a scholar and as a person to write letters of recommendation.
Help the selection committee come to know you through your personal statement.
Proofread your application!
Be certain to thank those who wrote letters of recommendation for you.

Deadline

February 1 - A complete application must arrive at your local chapter on or before this date. A complete application consists of:

• Six-page 2007 - 2008 Application Form (Form #FEL9.03)

• Official Academic Transcripts

• Standard Test Score Reports (GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT, etc.)

• Three Letters of Recommendation

Note that the February deadline allows for each chapter to review submitted applications and to select the ONE applicant to represent the chapter as their nominee in the national competition.

March - Chapters are required to submit the materials of the ONE applicant they have selected as their nominee for the national competition to National Headquarters so that it arrives on or before the March 1 national deadline. Any materials received after the March deadline will be disqualified. The Mercer University Faculty Representative establishes an internal deadline.

Source: The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Web site

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