Application for the Methodist Ministerial education Fund (MMUF)
The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) application process is an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their academic prowess and research potential. Here's a breakdown of the essential components required for a successful application.
Personal Statement
The Personal Statement of Purpose is a crucial part of the application where you articulate your background, motivation, and goals. It's essential to highlight your commitment to diversity in the academy and explain how the fellowship will support your academic and professional trajectory.
Research Proposal
You'll need to submit a detailed plan of a research project you intend to undertake during or following the fellowship. This proposal should outline the research question, significance, methodology, and expected outcomes.
Work Plan
A structured timeline or plan describing how you will complete the proposed research or project within the fellowship period is also required. This should detail how the research will be divided over two academic years and one summer, and what resources may be needed to complete the research successfully.
Writing Sample
A representative academic paper, essay, or other scholarly work that demonstrates your writing skills, critical thinking, and engagement with relevant subject matter is necessary. The writing sample need not be on the same topic as the proposed MMUF research.
Transcript
Official academic transcripts are required to demonstrate your scholastic achievement and progress towards degree completion.
Mentor Statement
A letter or statement from your proposed faculty mentor endorsing your project, outlining their support, and confirming that they will guide you during the fellowship is essential. This should address the field(s) and/or discipline(s) of the proposed research, its soundness and significance, the faculty mentor's interest in working with you, the faculty mentor's travel or leave plans, commitment to mentorship, and plans for in-person mentorship if the mentor is away.
Recommendations
Two letters of recommendation from Oberlin College or Conservatory faculty or staff are required, commenting on your potential for independent research and an academic career. An optional letter of recommendation from a peer (not necessarily from Oberlin) is also accepted.
Submission
The application should be submitted as a single PDF document through the Google Form application process. If your proposed faculty mentor is a recommender, they can combine the mentor statement and letter of recommendation into a single document.
Deadline and Interview
The application deadline for the program is 11:59 p.m., February 7th, 2025. After receiving the completed application, you may be contacted to schedule a personal interview.
Eligibility and Additional Requirements
To be considered for OSRI, a revised proposal of the research should fit an eight-week research timeframe. A sample of the strongest academic writing (up to 1,500 words or 5 double-spaced pages) is required, and an unofficial transcript from OberView saved as a PDF is also necessary.
Applicants may also be considered for the Oberlin Summer Research Institute Fellowship (OSRI). It's important to note that if you are applying to a specific MMUF program, confirm exact requirements on that program’s official site or application portal, as they can slightly vary by institution or year.
By understanding and preparing these components, you'll be well on your way to a successful MMUF application. Good luck with your application!
In the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship application, it's crucial to emphasize your dedication to personal growth, education-and-self-development, and learning by articulating your commitment to diversity in academia and outlining a meaningful research proposal. Your Personal Statement of Purpose, Research Proposal, Work Plan, Writing Sample, Transcript, Mentor Statement, Recommendations, and submission should all contribute to demonstrating your suitability for the fellowship.
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