FORD FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS PROGRAM IFP PREACADEMIC TRAINING

FORD FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS PROGRAM (IFP) PRE-ACADEMIC TRAINING & PLACEMENT WORKSHOP APRIL 21 -23, 2003

AGENDA

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES 1. To give Fellows-elect a better understanding of the overall goals of IFP 2. To review the terms and conditions under which the fellows-elect will be bound to 3. To explain the placement process and time-line 4. To advise students on placement options in the US, UK, Europe, and the Middle East 5. To help students select 4 placement options 6. To assess the skills of the fellows-elect and develop a pre-academic training plan 7. To start cohort-building

IFP Introduction Program Overview § $280 Million over 10 years § Operation in 22 Ford Foundation Countries and Territories § Opportunity for up to 3 years of Post. Baccalaureate Study § 3150 Fellows Estimated

IFP GOAL & Objectives Program Goal To provide opportunities for advanced study to exceptional individuals who will use this education to become leaders in their respective fields, furthering development in their own countries and great economic and social justice worldwide.

IFP GOAL & Objectives Program Objectives § Diversify leadership pool with individuals from marginalized and disadvantaged communities. § Strengthen link between education and development. § Promote global citizenship.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS § REVIEW § Q&A § SIGNATURE § RETURN COPY TO AMIDEAST

PLACEMENT PROCESS Prepared by Yolande Zahler

How will IFP placements be handled? § IIE will take care of most placements in the US and Canada § British Council will handle placements in the UK § NUFFIC will place Fellows in Europe § IPs will handle in-country/regional placements

May a Fellow-Elect choose between more than one region (i. e. US/Canada and UK/Europe)? § No. F-Es may only choose one region outside of their own § F-Es should only choose regions where they have language competence

May a Fellow-Elect change his/her degree objective and/or field of study? § NO. F-Es are endorsed by IFF for a specific degree objective and field of study. No changes may be made

Placement: Important Issues § § § Timing Best Fit Range of Schools Cost-sharing opportunities Clustering

When does the placement season begin in the US/Canada? § At the beginning of September § Most schools begin accepting applications between October and February § Many competitive schools have early deadlines (December-January)

What are the major steps in the placement process? § § Evaluation of Fellow-Elect’s dossier Creation of a submission plan Approval of submission plan by IP and F-E Submission of dossiers to approved schools

What is required to make a complete dossier? § Clear and articulate study objective § Official copies of graduate and undergraduate diplomas and transcripts (in original language and language of host country) § Three letters of reference § Test scores (TOEFL, GRE, GMAT) § IFP/IIE application

How many schools make up a submission plan? § Four. 3 schools are in the F-E’s region of choice, and one school is in his/her home region

Should Fellow-Elects create their own submission plans? § No. The PP will work together with the IP to create the best plan for each student. § Students may suggest to which schools they would like their applications to be submitted. § Submission plans are required to represent a range of schools, from “safety” to “stretch. ”

What is “stretch school” and “safety school? ” § A stretch school is one that the F-E is not reasonably sure of admission. It is usually a highly competitive institution § A safety school is one that the F-E will likely be admitted

What are the procedures for a Fellow. Elect who has gained prior admission to the program of his/her choice? § If the F-E already has a final admission letter, the IP can fill out the NOP and submit it to Greg Marino, after verifying appropriateness of program and cost-sharing opportunity § If the F-E has not finalized the admission yet, the file should be passed to Tammy Langan for tracking and additional submissions

May a Fellow-Elect apply directly to a university? § Only if dossier is submitted prior to selection, in which case follow-up becomes the responsibility of the PP § Once endorsed, F-E is strongly discouraged from making direct applications This keeps the communication lines simpler, and affords the Fellow and program the benefit of costsharing opportunities.

Should a Fellow-Elect whose university education was conducted in English still take the TOEFL? § Absolutely! Most schools are very strict about having a TOEFL score on file; many will not issue final admission letters without it

Does IFP pay for the TOEFL and GRE tests? § Yes. IFP will issue vouchers through the IPs to cover one TOEFL and one GRE for each F-E § If the F-E needs to retake due to a low score, the F-E must pay for it on his/her own

When will we know when a Fellow-Elect has been accepted? § Provided all required information is submitted on time … most decisions are mailed out in March and April

What is a conditional offer of admission? § An admission that is dependent upon certain provisions being met before it can become final, such as: – Language requirements/testing – Official document submission – Preliminary coursework

By when must a Fellow-Elect agree to accept a university offer? § Once all decisions are in, the F-E should make a decision as soon as possible § Many U. S. schools require final decisions by April 15.

PRE-ACADEMIC TRAINING (PAT) Why Pre-Academic Training? What is Pre-Academic Training? Who is involved? Where does it take place? What kind of assessment tests will be administered?

WHY PRE-ACADEMIC TRAINING? § Need for adequate preparation for graduate level study is important in a program placing high priority on recruitment and selection of fellows from underserved groups § IFP Fellows come from a wide range of academic and experiential backgrounds that may not always enable ready transition to postgraduate institutional settings § To give Fellows a global range of institutional choices, which means that a variety of institutional criteria for admissions are possible § To maximize success of each Fellow in the degree programs in which they are enrolled § To gain admission to course of study that is optimal for his/her goals and talents

WHAT IS PRE-ACADEMIC TRAINING? § Language competencies (ESL, adequate reading/writing/oral/listening skills, etc. ) § Learning competencies (computer literacy, research methods, critical thinking, etc. ) § Intercultural competencies (adaptability, resourcefulness, problem-solving skills, etc. )

HOW IS PAT IMPLEMENTED? § Courses, tutoring, orientation workshops § PAT is needs-driven component of IFP and varies among individual Fellows § Clear parameters are cost, time, and manageability

WHO FORMULATES THE PAT PLAN? § AMIDEAST will conduct an assessment and design PAT goals and programs based on each individual needs § IFP Secretariat works with AMIDEAST and funds final proposal

WHERE DOES PAT TAKE PLACE? § In-country (individual or group courses) § Host Institution (based on factors of readiness, background, links to institution)

PAT ASSESSMENT TESTS § Institutionally Testing Program (ITP) Test § AMIDEAST English Language Placement Test § Writing Assessment Test § Computer Skills Assessment Test

CONGRATULATIONS!

A COMPLETE DOSSIER § WHAT IS REQUIRED? § WHY?

WHAT DO SCHOOLS LOOK FOR? § Good fit – Student objectives match program’s – Faculty can help student reach goals § Finish program and graduate – Academically prepared – Fiscal resources § Diversity § Bring unique talent and perspective – Student will enhance the program

WHAT IS NEEDED IN A DOSSIER? § Application – A clear and articulate study objective is critical – Need to include all previous post-secondary study and all work experience – Need to identify all awards and honors that have been received

WHAT IS NEEDED IN A DOSSIER? § Academic Transcripts for all post-secondary work (undergraduate and graduate) – Must list all courses taken and grades received – Must be “official” § § § Issued by institution attended Contains school seal or certification Placed in an envelope and not opened by student – Must be in official language of country – Must be translated to language of host country § Translations must be original and certified

WHAT IS NEEDED IN A DOSSIER? § Copy of Diplomas – Must be certified copies – Must be translated and certified § Letters of reference – From people who know you well § Teachers, instructors, professors § Work contacts – Reputation of referee § Importance varies by educational system to which student is applying

WHAT IS NEEDED IN A DOSSIER? § Test Scores – Required tests will vary by educational systems and by field of study § Nation-wide tests § Standardized tests § TOEFL, IELTS, etc § GRE § GMAT § Other § Language testing at university

WHAT ELSE IS NEEDED? § Might be required – Professional work resume – Writing Sample – Work sample – Interview – Audition – Other documentation

WHAT IS YOUR GOAL? § Students need to differentiate themselves from other applicants § Student needs to put together a dossier that provides a consistent and comprehensive view of who they are and what they will bring – – Academic qualifications-brains Leadership potential Interpersonal skills Future career plans

GOOD LUCK!