Schwarzman Scholars Program for Next Generation of Global Leaders, China

Designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders, Schwarzman Scholars is the first scholarship created to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st Century. Whether in politics, business or science, the success of future leaders around the world will depend upon an understanding of China’s role in global trends.

Enrolling the inaugural class in 2016, the program will give the world’s best and brightest students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and professional networks through a one-year Master’s Degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing – one of China’s most prestigious universities.

Students will live and study together on the campus of Schwarzman College, a newly-built, state-of-the-art facility, where all classes will be taught in English. Students will pursue degrees in one of three disciplines:

• Public Policy
• Economics and Business
• International Studies

Students will spend a year immersed in an international community of thinkers, innovators and senior leaders in business, politics and society. In an environment of intellectual engagement, professional development and cultural exchange, they will learn from one another and pursue their academic disciplines while building their leadership capacities. This experience will expand students’ understanding of the world and create a growing network of global leaders for the future.

For those ready to make their mark on the world, Schwarzman Scholars represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Applications open in April 2015.

Every year, up to 200 Schwarzman Scholars will represent the world’s next generation of leaders — high-caliber individuals with open minds and limitless potential. The class that begins in summer 2016 will include 100 scholars, and the program will grow to include up to 200 students in coming years.

Schwarzman Scholars will be selected on the basis of not only their academic aptitude and intellectual ability, but also their leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, ability to anticipate paradigm changes, exemplary character, and desire to understand other cultures, perspectives and positions.

All qualified candidates will have successfully completed their undergraduate degrees prior to enrollment and must be proficient in English.

• Undergraduate degree or first degree from an accredited college or university or its equivalent. Applicants who are currently enrolled in undergraduate degree programs must be on track to successfully complete all degree requirements by June 30, 2016, before orientation begins. There are no requirements for a specific field of undergraduate study; all fields are welcome, but it will be important for applicants, regardless of undergraduate major, to articulate how participating in Schwarzman Scholars will help develop their leadership potential within their field.
• English language proficiency. Applicants must demonstrate strong English language skills, as all teaching will be conducted in English. If the applicant's native language is not English, official English proficiency test scores must be submitted with the application. Acceptable test options are:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT)
  • Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  • Pearson’s (PTE Academic)

  This requirement is waived for applicants who graduated from an undergraduate institution where the primary language of instruction was English for at least three years of the applicant’s academic program.

• Age. Applicants must be at least 18 but not yet 29 years of age as of June 30, 2016.

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT PART OF MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Marital status. Married applicants may apply and will be at no disadvantage in the application process. Spouses/partners may accompany Schwarzman Scholars to Beijing, but Scholars are expected to live in the dormitory and participate fully in the program like single students. Spouses/partners may not live in the dormitory, and no additional funding will be provided to support spouses/partners living off-campus.
• There are no citizenship or nationality requirements.

• Grade point average/class rank/pre-requisites. Academic excellence will be a requirement for successful applicants, but there is no minimum GPA or class rank required to apply. Applicants are expected to have demonstrated excellence in their academic studies, and the most competitive candidates will be among the top students in their graduating class. There are no course prerequisites for applicants to the program, although some individual classes at Tsinghua University may have prerequisites.

A CALL FOR FUTURE LEADERS

Interested candidates will participate in a rigorous and thorough selection process, designed to identify the most promising young leaders from around the world. The process includes an online application and credentials evaluation as well as in-person regional interviews. Those selected will have demonstrated their potential to not only benefit from but also contribute to the Schwarzman Scholars program.

APPLICATION HAS LAUNCHED. CLICK HERE TO APPLY.

REQUIRED FORMS AND RECORDS INCLUDE:

• A complete and successfully submitted online application, including the requested personal statement(s) and supplementary components below.
• Uploaded transcripts/academic records from every college or university attended (degree or non-degree, full or part-time, undergraduate or graduate). If transcripts are not in English, official translations must be included.
• Three electronic letters of recommendation. Three recommendation letters will be required. At least one of these letters must come from a recommender who has had direct experience with the candidate and can describe the candidate’s leadership potential. Recommendations must be translated to English by a professional translator if written in another language.
• An essay in three sections: The essay falls into three distinct sections.
  1. Personal Statement (up to 750 words): Describe your professional interests and values and how the Schwarzman Scholars program and deeper knowledge of China will help advance your goals. Describe both your short-term objectives for the 1-3 years after the program and your long-term aspirations.  How will you contribute to the community of Schwarzman Scholars and to the program’s mission?
  2. Leadership Essay (up to 500 words): Describe one specific example where you exercised leadership. The essay should examine your personal characteristics that constitute your potential for leadership including: the ability to anticipate upcoming trends; the ability to inspire others to join in an effort to create change; and the character, values, and determination to persevere despite difficult and changing circumstances; or any other personal characteristics that you think are key to your success as a leader.
  3. Current Affairs Essay (up to 500 words): Choose an issue in contemporary social, international, business, environmental, diplomatic, arts, or other policy that is of interest to you. This essay should lay out the current factors and trends influencing the topic and make a realistic recommendation of how local, national, or international leaders should intervene to contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous future.
• Current resume/CV
• Institutional Assessment Form: Currently enrolled undergraduate students must request an assessment from their university using the Schwarzman Scholars Institutional Assessment Form. The form asks brief questions to help the selection committee understand the student in the context of the university and does not consist of a full endorsement letter. This will be completed by different offices, depending on the university. In many universities in the United States, this form should be completed by the Fellowships Office or a comparable university-wide service office. In other universities, it might be completed by the dean of students or the university registrar. More information on the form is available on the Campus Representatives FAQ.

We discourage applicants from submitting any supplemental materials that are not required, such as portfolios, writing samples, additional recommendations, etc. Such materials will not be shared with the Review Committee. 

KEY DATES

• April 2015: Application opens
• October 1, 2015: Application deadline
• October 2015: Reading and selection of semi-finalists
• Mid-November 2015: Interviews for semi-finalists
• Late November 2015: Finalists notified
• July 5, 2016: Orientation at Tsinghua University begins

Further detail is available in the Instructions to Applicants (link below) and in the Admissions Frequently Asked Questions page.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS (PDF)

DOWNLOAD SAMPLE APPLICATION (PDF)