Madeleine Korbel Albright Institute for Global Affairs Eligibility and Selection Overview
Overview
Eligibility
Application Process
Application Timeline and 2011 Institute Calendar
Internship Component
For Students Studying Abroad
Frequently Asked Questions
Overview
The Madeleine Korbel Albright Institute for Global Affairs will foster appreciation for the forces of globalization, the complexities of leadership, and the importance of citizenship. The program will combine the intellectual resources of faculty from Wellesley College, researchers from the Wellesley Centers for Women, and leading alumnae and practitioners in the fields of international relations and public policy. This intensive, three-week non-credit course will culminate with lectures and informal conversation with the Institute’s Distinguished Visiting Professor. The Institute will take place annually during Wintersession. Deepening a student’s curricular experience with the significant learning that can take place off campus, Albright Fellows will pursue college-funded internships during the summer following their participation in the Institute Wintersession program.
Eligibility
The Albright Institute is open to Wellesley College juniors and seniors, with priority given to juniors. Students with an interest in global affairs from all majors are eligible and encouraged to apply. For the 2011 Institute, students will apply during spring semester 2010. Thus, at the time of their applications, students will be second semester sophomores or second semester juniors.
Students must be in good academic standing with a minimum overall 3.0 GPA and/or demonstrated potential for academic achievement.
Selection Process and Criteria
The Albright Institute is based on a multidisciplinary approach to understanding global affairs. Institute selection committee members will choose a diverse group of 40 students from across majors and disciplines. The selection committee will interview finalists.
Selection Criteria:
- Evidence of preparation for advanced studies in global affairs, including relevant coursework, experiential learning and other experiences.
- Awareness and knowledge of global issues and affairs.
- Demonstration of maturity, initiative, adaptability and responsibility, as indicated by faculty reference and interview.
Application Process
- Register with MyCWS to complete the online application.
- Write two essays (500 words each):
- What would you hope to gain from the Albright Institute? How might your participation augment your academic interests or future goals? How would you represent Wellesley's mission and purpose if selected for this program?
- Select and address one of the following Global Challenges for Humanity issued by The Millennium Project. How has your coursework and experience prepared you to address this challenge?
- How can sustainable development be achieved for all while addressing global climate change?
- How can everyone have sufficient clean water without conflict?
- How can population growth and resources be brought into balance?
- How can genuine democracy emerge from authoritarian regimes?
- How can the global convergence of information and communications technologies work for everyone?
- How can the changing status of women help improve the human condition?
- How can growing energy demands be met safely and efficiently?
- How can scientific and technological breakthroughs be accelerated to improve the human condition?
- Request one letter of recommendation to be submitted from a faculty/staff member or supervisor of an internship that demonstrates the student's interest/commitment to a global issue. Recommendations should be submitted to AlbrightInstituteReference@wellesley.edu Please click here for additional details. The CWS assumes you are waiving your right to review the letter of recommendation unless you notify Kate Miller to the contrary.
- Upload an unofficial transcript (obtained from Banner self-service) to MyCWS. Make sure your name is at the top and convert your transcript to PDF before uploading it. Please click HERE for instructions on how to convert to PDF.
- Upload a one page resume to MyCWS.
- Upload your two essays in one file to the Writing Sample #1 in MyCWS. Your name and class year should be at the top of each essay page submitted and each essay should be labeled appropriately (Essay 1: and Essay 2:). Acceptable file formats are .doc and .pdf.
- Participate in an on-campus (or phone if abroad) interview if selected for the final round.
For technical assistance with your application, please contact cws_hire@wellesley.edu.
Application Timeline and 2011 Institute Calendar
| March 11, 2010 4:30pm | Information Session in Collins Cinema* | |
| March 12, 2010 12:30pm | Information Session in Jewett Auditorium* Check MyCWS for the latest information. |
|
| March 31, 2010 | Applications due by noon, EST | |
| April 28-30, 2010 | Interviews of finalists | |
| First Week of May 2010 | Decisions | |
| January 3-21, 2011 | Wintersession course | |
| Summer 2011 | Internships | |
| Fall 2011 | Tanner Conference |
* Click here for the PowerPoint from March 2010 infomation sessions.
Internship Component
Albright Fellows are eligible to participate in a Wellesley College funded internship during the summer following Wintersession. Internships must have an international focus and build the student’s capacity to address significant global issues.
Students who participate in the Albright Institute in their junior year are required to complete the internship component and apply to present at the Tanner conference the following fall. Due to the different landscape with graduating seniors, those students who participate in the Albright Institute in their senior year are eligible for a funded internship, but conflicting professional or fellowship commitments will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Students are strongly encouraged to undertake an internship in a country other than that of their origin. Those who undertake an internship in the United States or in the country of their origin must intern with an organization whose mission and purpose is explicitly international in scope and nature.
Internships must be at least ten weeks and 350 hours in duration. There are two ways an Albright Fellow may obtain funding for her internship. First, Fellows are invited to apply to any Wellesley College internship program for which they otherwise qualify (e.g. CWS identified internships). Albright Fellows will not be given priority over other Wellesley College student applicants in the selection processes for these programs. Selection will be made by individual internship committees based on program-specific criteria. If a Fellow participates in a Wellesley College funded internship program, she will need to comply with all the requirements of the specific program.
Alternatively, Fellows can work with the internships team in the Center for Work and Service to identify and develop an internship that would be funded through the Albright Institute. Fellows are responsible for independently applying to internship programs, meeting all deadlines, and ultimately securing internships. Albright Fellows may not receive funding from more than one source.
NOTE: Students interested in interning in Washington, DC must apply to and be accepted by the Wellesley in Washington program. The application deadline for that program will be in Fall 2010.
For Students Studying Abroad
We understand there may be students accepted to the Albright Institute who are also selected to participate in a study abroad program that conflicts with the dates of the Wintersession course. Those students will begin with the internship component in the summer after their junior year, followed by participation in the Wintersession component in their senior year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Explore our frequently asked question using the link above or email: AlbrightInstitute@wellesley.edu or Kate Miller, Program Director, Madeleine Korbel Albright Institute for Global Affairs