Lionel Pearson Fellowship

Supports American- and Canadian-trained classicists for a year of study at an English or Scottish university

The Lionel Pearson Fellowship seeks to contribute to the training of American and Canadian classicists by providing for a period of study at an English or Scottish university. The competition is open to students majoring in Classics, or closely related fields. Fellows must undertake a course of study that broadens and develops their knowledge of Greek and Latin literature in the original languages; candidates should therefore have a strong background in the classical languages. Normally, the recipient will hold the Fellowship in the academic year immediately after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. The term of the Fellowship is one year. The recipient may use the Fellowship for part of a longer program of study, but under no circumstances will support from the Fellowship extend beyond one year. Fellows are responsible for seeking and obtaining admission to the English or Scottish university where they intend to study.

Deadline Information

Application Deadline: Friday, November 6, 2020

Eligibility Requirements

Fellows must undertake a course of study that broadens and develops their knowledge of Greek and Latin texts in the original languages; candidates should therefore have a strong background in the classical languages. They should expect to obtain the B.A. by September 2019, in order to begin an academic year of postgraduate work at that time. Normally, the recipient will hold the Fellowship in the academic year immediately after graduating with a bachelor’s degree.

Application Process

 

The components of the application are:

1. An application form

2. A personal statement divided into two parts. In the first part, candidates should discuss their personal background, development as a scholar, and aspirations beyond their undergraduate experience. Naturally, each aspect of these statements should address the candidate’s specific interests in Classics. In the second part, candidates should focus more specifically on why they wish to pursue a year of study in England or Scotland, how this experience fits into their overall goals as a scholar, and what their proposed plan of study will be.  Combined, these statements should not exceed 1,000 words in length. Candidates should provide a word total at the end of each part. 

3. A sample of the candidate’s writing on a topic in Classics, preferably from a senior thesis or similar research project. For the candidate’s initial application, they should include an 8-10 page writing sample, double-spaced, including notes and bibliography.  Shortlisted candidates must provide a 17-20 page writing sample, double-spaced, including notes and bibliography.

4. Transcripts from the candidate’s college or university. Candidates should obtain a transcript from any institution they have attended for one or more years. Separate transcripts to account for a semester abroad or summer program are not necessary. Candidates should, however, make note of these experiences in the application form or personal statement, if a record of their performance does not appear on a college transcript.

5. Three confidential letters of recommendation, including a letter from a faculty member who knows your work in Classics well. (Please note that item thirteen on the application form calls for the names and addresses of those who will be writing letters of recommendation.) The application materials include a form, which candidates must provide to their recommenders and which must accompany the letters.

Applicants themselves should submit the first four items listed above as email attachments (.pdf files preferred) to Dr. Helen Cullyer, the Executive Director of the SCS: helen.cullyer@nyu.edu. The Subject line of each email sent by the applicant should read as follows:  “Pearson Application – [Name of Candidate]”.  In addition, applicants need to request three letters of recommendation that referees will send directly to the SCS Office, also as email attachments.  Please Note:  The application form contains a document that applicants should review, sign, and scan and provide to each referee in electronic form.  Referees should submit that form along with letters of recommendation (both as attachments, preferably as .pdf files) to Dr. Cullyer (helen.cullyer@nyu.edu).

The interviews themselves generally last about thirty minutes. During this time the members of the Committee will discuss the candidate’s background and professional aspirations with particular attention to the opportunity of studying abroad as a Pearson Fellow. These encounters are meant to be engaging and productive experiences. Candidates should know that the Committee makes every effort to create a comfortable, genial environment. It is not the goal of the Committee to overwhelm the candidates, but rather to give them the opportunity to present themselves, their academic accomplishments, and their professional goals in the most favorable light. Candidates should view their time with the Committee as a chance to share information that the written application and letters of recommendation cannot adequately convey. The Committee, in turn, will seek to evaluate the strengths of the candidates and confirm those aspects of their applications that led to their being selected as finalists. Following the interviews, the Committee will take time to deliberate and select the recipient. The Chair of the Committee will then inform the finalists of the Committee’s decision that afternoon.

Important Dates

  • By 11:59pm Eastern Time on November 6, 2020, candidates must submit the application form and all other required materials, including an 8-10 page writing sample, double-spaced, including notes and bibliography.  All materials should be sent electronically to the Executive Director (helen.cullyer@nyu.edu). 
  • By December 7, 2020 candidates will be notified whether they are on the short-list for the January 2021 virtual interviews.
  • By 11:59pm Eastern Time on December 18, 2020, short-listed candidates must provide a 17-20 page writing sample, double-spaced, including notes and bibliography.. 
  • In January 2021 short-listed candidates will be interviewed via Zoom by the committee, and candidates will be notified of the committee’s decision shortly after these interviews. In addition, the short-listed candidates’ registration fees to the January 2021 meeting of the Society for Classical Studies will be waived.