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Thank you for taking the time to write a letter of recommendation for a nationally competitive scholarship application. Yours is a valuable contribution to this formative process and we appreciate your advocacy on behalf of the applicant.

Please be aware, it is a matter of NCS policy that applicants must waive their right to see your letter of recommendation. We also cannot accept letters authored by applicants; the endorsement must be from the letter-signer.

At any time in the process, from brainstorming the first draft to finalizing your letter, we are delighted to help. Please contact ncs-ousf@duke.edu if you would like to discuss further or for questions or concerns

Guidelines
Criteria

The Scholarship is awarded each year to one American student who exemplifies the core values embodied by its namesake:

  • Excellence
  • Leadership
  • Multiculturalism
  • High achievement

 

In addition to their academic qualifications, awardees demonstrate strong character, instincts to lead, and commitment to both local and global communities.
Endorsement Required?Yes. This is a multi-stage process.
Number of Recommendation Letters3 total, two of which must be academic in nature.

 

Application Timeline
StageDescriptionDeadline
Endorsement Application Deadline

NCS will convene a faculty committee to decide which applicant will go forward to compete at the national level.

November 1
Endorsement Decisions Announced Mid-November
National DeadlineOUSF will transmit all the application materials, including letters of recommendation, to the national foundation.November 30

 

FAQs

For the Endorsement Round: Submit your letter by email to ncs-ousf@duke.edu

For the National Round:  NCS will transmit the application materials for the endorsed candidate, you will not need to resubmit your letter.

Please address your letter to the “Michel David-Weill Selection Committee”

  • How does the applicant meet the Michel David-Weill criteria?  What is outstanding about their scholarship, leadership, and/or character?
  • Why is Science-Po the best place for them to study?
  • How does their study plan fit into their future ambitions?
  • What examples can you share that illustrate your strong endorsement for the candidate?
  • How does this applicant compare to other people you have taught/supervised?

Applicants are instructed to let you know as soon as they learn the decision of the campus endorsement committee. Endorsements are usually made by NCS in mid-November.