Resources for International Students
Navigating the college experience can be a complex affair, particularly if you are entering Wellesley from another country. The first stop for you is the Slater International Center, as they will serve as your most important resource at Wellesley. In addition to what Slater has to offer, you will find below some additional career resources.
A Brief Introduction to Fellowships and Scholarships
Fellowships and scholarships offer funding to support a range of purposeful activities, including undergraduate research, language study/other study abroad, self-designed projects, teaching and service, graduate or professional study, or even internships and professional placements. They can open doors for you to things you might not be able to pursue otherwise.
There are opportunities for students and graduates of every nationality and at every stage of their careers. What might be the right fit for you?
Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program at Wellesley College (sophomores and juniors)
The McNair Scholars Program is a federal TRIO program funded at 187 institutions across the United States and Puerto Rico by the U.S. Department of Education. McNair participants are first-generation college students with financial need, and/or members of a group that is traditionally underrepresented in graduate education and have demonstrated strong academic potential. The goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase graduate education for students from underrepresented groups. At Wellesley, the McNair Scholars Program is STEM focused, and applications are typically due in November each year.
ROTC at Wellesley
The Reserves Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a college program that prepares students to become commissioned officers in the United States Armed Forces. The ROTC curriculum is pursued at the same time as your Wellesley College courses, and is focused on leadership development and career training.
Wellesley offers students the opportunity to join the Army and Air Force ROTC programs. Both programs are hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology...
Study Abroad: Government, International Affairs, Law, & Public Policy Careers
Students interested in careers in government, law, international affairs, and public policy are encouraged to focus on skill development and experience. This is especially important as employers, and graduate programs in this space continue to look for commitment to understanding these industries. Below please find suggested study abroad experiences that help develop specific skills and experiences to help be competitive in these industries.
“I was motivated to fight for environmental justice in my community after hearing about the respiratory illnesses that many children were diagnosed with as a result of the environmental contamination we live with.”
Fulbright Program (rising seniors & graduates)
Supports a year (or occasionally more) of study or research abroad in any discipline, or year-long English teaching assistantships (ETAs) abroad in programs designed by the host countries. Eligible are graduating seniors and graduates who are US citizens. Campus application deadline for Wellesley students and graduates typically in August, after an optional draft deadline in July.
Resources for Undocumented Students and Students Qualified for DACA
This document offers links to on- and off-campus resources and supports for undocumented students. Due to the ever-changing nature of this issue, these resources may quickly become outdated or less applicable to any given person. While we make an effort to keep these resources up-to-date, please check on current developments when using the information below. You can also make an appointment to meet with someone in Career Education for additional career-related support.
Career Resources for Students with Differing Abilities
This resource provides career resources for students with differing abilities, including job and internship opportunities, job search tools, and scholarships.
Wellesley College Graduate Fellowships (WCGF—seniors & graduates)
Wellesley College offers a number of fellowships and scholarships for graduate study or research open to Wellesley seniors and graduates. Two awards are open to women graduates of any American institution (the Schimke and the Shackford). Awards are usually made to applicants currently enrolled in or applying to graduate/professional school for the following academic year; there is a single common application process for most of these awards, and the campus deadline is typically in January.
Resources for LGBTQ+ Students
This document provides an overview for LGBTQ+ students of factors to consider during the job search and in the workplace, organizations and resources should you experience discrimination, professional organizations, and funding sources.
Resources for First Generation College Students
Navigating the college experience is complex affair, especially if it is a new context for you and your family. Below you will find resources that illuminate pathways to success during the college experiences, as well as some financial, networking, and career opportunities geared toward first generation college students.
Yenching Academy Scholarship at Peking University (seniors & graduates)
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.
Wellesley is an official Partner Institution for the Yenching Academy: campus deadline typically in November.
Elisabeth Luce Moore '24 Fellowship at the National Palace Museum in Taipei (seniors & graduates)
This one-year, full-time position is available to Wellesley College graduates, thanks to a long-standing arrangement between the college and the National Palace Museum. Each fellow’s responsibilities and job description will be determined, to some extent, according to the Museum’s current staffing requirements as well as the fellow’s personal background, interests and skills.
Wellesley-Yenching Fellowship at Chung Chi College in Hong Kong (seniors & graduates)
The Wellesley-Yenching Program in cooperation with Chung Chi College in Hong Kong sponsors a fellowship to teach or assist in teaching English at Chung Chi. This one-year fellowship is generally offered on an annual basis to a Wellesley College senior or graduate with the option to extend for a second year. Candidates are first interviewed by the committee at Wellesley College, which then sends on the credentials of its nominee for final approval by Chung Chi College.
Apply in spring semester 2024 for the 2024-25 Fellowship.
Thomas J. Watson Fellowship (rising seniors)
The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship offers graduating seniors a one-year grant for independent study and purposeful travel and exploration outside of the United States, to enhance their capacity for resourcefulness, imagination, openness, and leadership and to foster their humane and effective participation in the world community. Campus deadline typically in August.
Udall Scholarship (sophomores & juniors)
Supports a year of undergraduate study for American Indians and Alaska Natives working on an array of policy issues in Indian country or interested in pursuing health-related careers, or for students with demonstrated leadership, service, and commitment to issues related to conservation and environmental issues. Eligible are college sophomores and juniors who are US citizens, nationals, and permanent residents. Campus application deadline typically in early February.