Ambassadorial Scholars Sought

EXACTLY WHAT ARE THE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE 2010-2011 AWARD YEAR
Academic Ambassadorial Scholarships are grants of $25,000 to study abroad in full-time enrollment at an institution assigned by Rotary Foundation trustees, after reviewing the five ranked choices of institutions on a winner's application. At this time only academic year scholarships are available through Rotary International. District 6440 has elected not to participate in the multi-year program option for the 2010-2011 awards. When costs exceed the maximum award the additional required funds are the award winner's responsibility. Scholars may accept other grants/scholarships and must report grants to Rotary International.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS?
The scholarships are intended to further international understanding and friendly relations among different countries. Winners become "Ambassadors of Good Will" and make appearances/presentations before, during and after the award year. Any country other than the U.S. where Rotary exists can be assigned to U.S. winners. It is up to the discretion of the Rotary Foundation Trustees if scholars are assigned to areas of a country where they have already lived or studied. Each winner is assigned a Rotarian "sponsor counselor" (at home) and "host counselor" (at school) who provide orientation, advice and assistance. A Rotary Foundation staff member is assigned to each scholar.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS?
District 6440 applicants must be U.S. citizens. Rotarians, honorary Rotarians, employees of Rotary, and spouse/child/adopted child/grandchild or spouse of a lineal descendent of the foregoing categories are all ineligible. There are no age or marital status requirements. Applicants are encouraged to read pamphlet RF2-132-EN for additional information about the program. District 6440 candidates must have permanent address, work address or college address within District 6440. In close decision-making, those with a home address in the district may take precedence.

WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR WINNERS?
Funding is subject to successful academic progress and submission of required satisfactory reports. Awardees must also pass a language proficiency examination when a test is deemed necessary and appropriate by the Rotary Foundation.

WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS?
Once clubs submit their endorsed applications, the members of the District Scholarship Committee carefully and independently read all applications. At least a majority of the committee must agree to interview a particular applicant. The finalists, who will be personally interviewed by the selection committee, are selected on the basis of their completed applications, written essays, letters of reference, academic transcripts, and other applicable criteria. Should there be more candidates that the Selection Committee is able to interview, an initial summer meeting may be scheduled for all applicants in which case details will be sent to each applicant upon receipt of their application.

In-person interviews are required for the scholarship finalists. Interviews are scheduled for Saturday, August 14, at the Skokie Library, Skokie, IL. Interview letters (with copies to sponsoring club) are sent at least two weeks prior to the interview date. It is the responsibility of the applicant to appear at the assigned interview time at his/her own expense. No special interview dates are possible. Those applicants not qualifying for interviews are sent letters (with copies to the sponsoring club).
Interviews of 25 minutes consist of personal comments and standardized questions asked of all candidates. The selection committee consists of District Rotarians and when possible a former District Scholar. Final decisions are made following the interviews. Decision letters (with copies to sponsoring club) are sent to applicants within a week following the interviews.

WHAT CRITERIA ARE USED TO SELECT WINNERS?
1. Ambassadorial Potential: Basic friendliness. intelligence. personality .rapport.character.national and international knowledge of current events and situations.awareness of social/economic/political problems.speaking skills.maturity.international understanding and/or experience.open mindedness.listening ability.the general ability to represent America at its best.and understanding of Rotary sponsorship and responsibilities.
2. Overall Impression: Level of maturity.response to questions.verbal and written skills.self-image and presentation.observations that an applicant was neither intimidated by the committee nor overly aggressive.
3. Variety of Interests and Skills: Breadth, not depth in one or two areas, is preferable.prior volunteer service to others is important.
4. Match of Career Choice, Institutions Selected, and Language Required: The committee looks at how well-researched and matched are college choices, applicant's career plans and language skills.
5. For Cultural Awards: The appropriateness of intensive language training. (Languages available are Arabic, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, and Swedish).

FACTORS OF LESS IMPORTANCE:
Unless they differ significantly from the norm, test scores, grades, and recommendations do not play a major role in the selection process.
NOTE: A candidate who is deemed solely focused on academics, to the exclusion of ambassadorial responsibilities, will not be considered for the scholarships.

HOW DOES A PERSON APPLY FOR THESE SCHOLARSHIPS?
Prospective applicants must obtain and use the 2010-2011Award Year Scholarship application. The form can be obtained from Rotary International (Rotary.org), a local Rotary club or from some college resource centers. Applicants should begin the process many months before the District 6440 deadline of July 12, 2010 when all completed applications must be received by the District Scholarship Committee Chair. Ignore different deadlines which may be printed on the application. Do not return the application to Rotary International in Evanston. Applications should be submitted to the sponsoring Rotary Club, who in turn must submit the application