Yenching Academy Scholarship at Peking University (seniors & graduates)

Campus deadline: ​12:00 pm (noon) EST on extended to November 27, 2023 (for Wellesley students and graduates from countries other than mainland China)

*Note that citizens of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan must apply for the Yenching Academy and also to PKU (typically by a deadline in January: see the Graduate School of Peking University for more information). Citizens of mainland China are only eligible to apply for the Yenching Academy if they attend university in China.

Wellesley students of any class year, major, or citizenship are warmly encouraged to join Associate Dean Brent Haas on October 30, 2023, at 1pm in GRH-236B to learn more about the exciting Yenching Academy program!

The Yenching Academy of Peking University builds bridges between China and the rest of the world through an interdisciplinary master’s program in China Studies for outstanding graduates from all over the globe. This initiative brings together young people who show promise to lead and innovate in their fields in an intensive learning environment where they can explore China and its role in the world — past, present, and future. The Academy aims to thereby shape a new generation of global citizens with a nuanced understanding of China and its role in the world.

Founded on the ideal of fostering global connections and dialogue, the Yenching Academy is a fully funded residential program offering a wide array of interdisciplinary courses on China within broadly defined fields of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Working closely with their academic mentors, Yenching Scholars are granted the flexibility to create their own study paths by choosing from six academic concentrations and a variety of extracurricular activities. Studying at the Academy represents a unique opportunity not only for intercultural and academic exchange, but also for personal and professional development. Wellesley College is a Partner Institution for the Yenching Academy, so Wellesley seniors and graduates must first apply for Wellesley’s nomination by submitting copies of their official application as outlined below. 

Did you know? Wellesley Yenching Scholars include Beba Cibralic '16,  Alix Lewis '16, and Ye Rin Chu '18!

Application Planning

This roadmap for funding for graduate/professional study provides step-by-step advice and detailed timelines.

Timeline overview for application process:

  • October to mid-November: Read about the scholarship, explore graduate study options, talk with academic and professional mentors, and make a Fellowships appointment via Handshake to discuss application plans.

  • 12:00 pm (noon) EST on November 6, 2023: Application materials should be submitted via the online form found here.

  • Early December: Nominated applications are submitted by the Yenching Academy deadline for nominees from partner universities. Finalists will be interviewed via video.

  • March: Final admissions decisions should be announced.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Graduating seniors and graduates of Wellesley (although generally candidates under the age of 28 will be at an advantage), from any country other than mainland China.

What makes a strong applicant for this fellowship?

  • An outstanding academic record (including as demonstrated by the letters of reference) and broad curiosity;
  • Strong interest in interdisciplinary study of China;
  • A record of extracurricular achievement, community engagement, and social responsibility;
  • Strong motivation and potential to become a leader in the applicant’s chosen field; and
  • A good argument for how the Yenching Academy program is relevant and valuable for the applicant’s career plans.

Where can I learn more?

How do I apply?

Wellesley College is a Partner Institution for the Yenching Academy, so Wellesley seniors and graduates must first apply for Wellesley’s nomination by submitting copies of their official application as outlined below. **Note that citizens of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan must apply for the Yenching Academy and also to PKU (typically by a deadline in January: see the Graduate School of Peking University for more information).

Application checklist:

  • Two (2) letters of reference

    • Note that according to Yenching Academy rules, your references must come from full professors or associate professors or those with an equivalent title).

    • Please send this form to your recommenders and give your recommenders this link to allow them to submit their letters - should they have any difficulty with the online form, please ask them to email their letters to fellowships@wellesley.edu; please do not request letters via the official online application system!

Please submit the following by the campus deadline, via the online form found here:

  • Completed official application form (for the campus committee you may complete the application form).

    • Note that should your application be nominated you'll also need to complete the official online form in advance of the December deadline for nominees, and this form may be found at http://yenchingacademy.org/application - please do not hit the submit button in the official online application until you've been nominated and are submitting the final version of your application)

  • Electronic versions/scanned pdfs of your official Wellesley College and any other applicable transcripts (e.g. for study abroad); to order an official Wellesley transcript see the website of the Registrar’s office.

  • A copy of your diploma if you have graduated, or an enrollment verification if you are a current student (the Wellesley Registrar's office has instructions here)

  • Personal statement (750 words max; it should include a personal introduction and reasons why you wish to be a Yenching Scholar)

  • Statement of research interests (1,500 words max, excluding citations - this should be a formal academic essay, including key research question(s), background to study and/or summary of literature, and study design that could reflect the applicant’s academic training. Please note that applicants are not committed to making this proposed project their Master’s thesis topic. The Admissions Committee wants to judge how they formulate and write about academic topics.)

  • Curriculum vitae/résumé

  • Wellesley Fellowships office signature document (please print, sign & date this form, then submit a scanned pdf or other image of the signed document along with your application materials)


Questions?
Email  fellowships@wellesley.edu, or call Caitlin Roberts-Donovan at 781.283.2347.