Becoming a Fellow
Questions to Consider Before Applying
To determine whether your goals and the mission of the MMUF program align, please research and discuss the following questions with graduate students and faculty mentors:
- What are my research interests, and what would make a strong MMUF project?
- Is there a faculty member who I would like to work with over the summer on a research project?
- Would the type of research I want to pursue lead to a PhD in one of the MMUF designated fields? (see MMUF eligibility requirements)
- What is it like to be a graduate student, and what can I do with a PhD?
- What do faculty members do, and do I want to be a faculty member?
Applicant Requirements
Please review MMUF eligibility requirements set forth by the Mellon Foundation.
- Sophomore student (or student with sophomore-class standing) who plans to earn a PhD in one of the Mellon-designated fields.
- Availability for, and commitment to, full and enthusiastic participation in all aspects of the MMUF program, including attendance at conferences and regular meetings.
- US citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
To Apply
Application for the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship is highly competitive. Applicants must submit a brief online application and the following supporting documents:
- Personal statement essays (four essays, 250 words each, typed, double-spaced)
- Unofficial transcript
- Resume that includes extracurricular activities and applicable honors/awards (limit two pages)
- Academic writing sample (limit ten pages)
- Faculty recommendation letter