The world is looking for great leaders. You can get one of the best education in the world if you show good leadership traits. The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program funds students with outstanding potential to become great leaders. However, the application for the Robertson scholarships is open to students at Duke University and the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill.
Robertson scholarships provide undergraduates with not only monetary funding but also other benefits like mentorship and leadership training. The Leadership program exists to produce Robertson scholars who will play significant and impactful roles in their communities and society.
Also, the scholarship is available to High School students applying to any of the two universities, International students, and Freshmen at the universities.
Thus, this post discusses in detail all you need to know about the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program. You can quickly scroll below to get an overview of all this post entails.
Table of contents
About Robertson Scholars Leadership Program
Julian Robertson, a 1955 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his wife, Josie, founded the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program in 2000. The couple gifted the initiative with $24 million.
They were inspired by their sons, one of whom graduated from Duke in 1998 and another who graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2001.
They felt that these two institutions gave their sons a distinctive undergraduate experience.
Therefore, they reasoned that a combination of both schools promises a richness of resources that no other university could match. This reasoning is the premise on which the Robertson scholarship is formed.
The Robertson Program has grown to now have over 250 alumni on six continents. The alumni community stays connected through formal and informal channels of communication and support.
Meanwhile, The Robertson Program regularly engages alumni in program events like regional dinners and the Senior Capstone retreat.
These alumni also play a role in recruiting and selecting new Robertson Scholars. Leveraging this connection will help scholars find summer internships or post-graduate employment.
Scholars may also seek guidance and mentorship in their field of interest through this alumni network.
Robertson Scholarship Opportunities
The Robertson Scholars Leadership program is available for students to apply in three different categories. These categories are:
- High School Students
- International Students
- First-Year Students
These categories are the various outlets through which you can become a Robertson Scholar.
Meanwhile, for all of these categories, the benefits of the Robertson scholarship is the same. This is because whichever category you’re accessing the scholarship, you’re going to be an undergraduate studying at either Duke University or UNC.
You may also check out Duke University Scholarships if you wish to find out about other scholarships in Duke University.
Scholarship Benefits
Before we proceed to give the eligibility criteria for each Robertson scholarship category at Duke and UNC, let’s look at why you should be a Robertson scholar.
Here is the answer to the question of what you stand to benefit from the Robertson Scholar Leadership Program.
Financial Benefits:
The Robertson scholarship provides eight (8) semesters of full tuition, room & board, and most mandatory fees for Scholars at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill. Scholars You’ll also have access to generous funding for up to three summer experiences.
Dual Citizenship:
Robertson scholars get access to the resources of two of the most highly regarded universities in the world – Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Just by gaining admission into one of the colleges, you can participate in activities in the sister college. Thus enriching your undergraduate experience.
Summer Experience
The Robertson Scholar Leadership program offers scholars the platform to pursue both domestic and international experiences.
As a Robertson scholar, you’ll get the chance to explore and act on individual passions, and step outside of your comfort zone.
Leadership Development:
The program allows scholars to participate in programs and activities that’ll update their skills.
These programs will also expand their academic and professional networks and solidify their personal and professional goals.
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) are some of the programs Robertson Scholars benefit from.
Mentorship
With the Robertson Scholars Leadership program, scholars can build mentoring relationships with faculty and administrators at both universities.
They can as well get mentorship sessions with the staff of the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program.
Robertson staff members assist Scholars in planning their summer experiences and advise them in their overall leadership and personal development.
In addition to these benefits, there are also a rich scholar community, an influential alumni network, and dinner with fellow scholars and staff member to benefit from.
Now that we’ve seen the benefits of the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program, let’ get straight to how you can be a scholar.
Robertson Scholarship for High School Students
You can apply to become a Robertson Scholar from high school. However, you’ll have to be in your graduating year and be applying to enter Duke/UNC in the fall of 2023.
Therefore, while you’re checking for the deadline of the Robertson application, you’ll also have to check the deadline for your school of choice.
Meanwhile, you should understand that admission to Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill are separate processes. All forms and correspondence dealing with admission to either of these colleges should go directly to their Undergraduate Admissions Offices.
To better appreciate the Robertson scholarship, check out Duke University’s Admission, Tuition Fees, Scholarships, Courses, and Ranking.
The Robertson scholarship application is online and the process will require you to self-report either your SAT score or ACT score. You may also choose to report both scores.
Also, the application to be a Robertson scholar will require you to submit two letters of recommendation. A teacher who has seen you in a classroom setting should recommend one of the letters.
However, anyone can recommend the second later provided they can speak to your leadership and character.
If you’re an International High school student in your graduation year, you’ll have to refer to the International application to commence your application.
And you should note that only International students from New Zealand, Australia, and Africa are eligible.
Do note that Transfer Students are not eligible to apply. Also, students who have applied to the Morehead-Cain Scholarship are not eligible to apply for the Robertson scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill. However, they may apply for the Robertson Scholarship at Duke.
How to Apply
Students who apply to Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill are automatically considered for merit scholarships. However, completing the Robertson online application is the only way to ensure that the selection committee reviews your application.
Follow the link below to apply for the Robertson Scholarship:
Scholarship Deadline
The deadline for applying is November 15, annually. However, the application starts on August 15, annually. You may like to take note of this date as Robertson administers the scholarship yearly.
To find out more about the scholarship, including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), click the link below:
https://robertsonscholars.org/apply/high-school/
Robertson Scholarship for International Students
To make the Robertson Scholars Program available to International students applying from their home country, Robertson partners with an institution in the selected region.
Presently, the Robertson scholarship partnership is only available to three(3) international regions/countries. They are as follows:
- Africa: African Leadership Academy Partner Program
- New Zealand: New Zealand Partner Program, and
- Australia: Australia Partner Program.
African Leadership Academy Partner Program
The Robertson Scholar Leadership Program is available to Africans who study at the African Leadership Academy. These African Leadership Academy students must be finishing their sixth form, however. They must also plan to apply for admission to Duke and/or UNC-Chapel Hill as well as receive a nomination for the Robertson scholarship.
You’ll have to check either Duke or UNC’s application period while applying for the Robertson scholarship. Meanwhile, admission to Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill are two different processes. You’ll have to submit your undergraduate program application to these institutions individually even if you’re applying for both.
You may like to note that the program applications to Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill are usually due in early January.
Meanwhile, you’ll be required to take the SAT or ACT entrance exams to be eligible for the scholarship.
Scholarship Deadline:
The deadline for applying as a Robertson’s African Leadership Academy nominee is yet to be decided. However, you may contact [email protected] with questions, if you have any.
How to Apply:
You are invited to apply for this scholarship as an African International student online. However, this is after you have been nominated. Click the link below to start your Robertson Online Application:
You’ll have to select “African Leadership Academy Applicant” as your Current Status when applying to be a Robertson scholar.
Meanwhile, if you’re a student from Africa and you did not attend the African Leadership Academy, you’re still eligible to apply. However, you’ll have to apply through the traditional High School Application described above.
New Zealand Partner Program
The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program is available to New Zealand students through the Universities New Zealand – Te Pōkai Tara.
However, you’ll need to be either attending Duke or UNC to be eligible for the Robertson scholarship.
Also, to qualify for the scholarship, you must be entered for the Year 13 senior school examination. This could be the NCEA Level 3 or the Cambridge exams, or the equivalent senior school exam in the year of application.
In addition, you must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident who has completed five years of secondary schooling in New Zealand.
Note, however, that you’ll have to follow up on the program deadline of your selected school while applying for the Robertson scholarship.
Of course, you can apply to both schools, but the application goes to each school separately.
Also, note that you will have to take the SAT or ACT entrance exam for the Robertson Selection Committee to consider you.
Good prep results in good SAT results. Here are 17 Best SAT Prep Courses you can take today to boost your Robertson scholarship eligibility.
The deadline for applying to become a Robertson scholar through the Universities New Zealand – Te Pōkai Tara is December 1.
However, you may contact selection@robertsonscholars.org with questions, if you have any.
How to Apply:
The New Zealand scholarship application is done online. To apply through the partner school, you’ll have to visit the link below:
https://universitiesnz.communityforce.com/
Australia Partner Program
The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program is available to Australia students through the University of South Wales (UNSW). However, the Australian students must be applying to Duke or UNC-Chapel Hill for the Robertson scholarship.
To be further eligible as an Australian international, you must be an Australian Year, 12 student. While applying through the UNSW, you’ll be required to provide a certified copy of your birth certificate and proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency. You’ll also provide certified copies of your academic results to date, one academic reference, and a personal reference.
Note, however, that you’ll have to follow up on the program deadline of your selected school while applying for the Robertson scholarship. You can apply to both Duke and UNC for the Robertson scholarship but you’ll submit your application separately to the individual schools.
UNSW is a wonderful place to get your MBA, however. You can also check out UNSW Business School Scholarships for International Students.
Also, note that you will have to take the SAT or ACT entrance exam for the Robertson Selection Committee to consider you.
Scholarship Deadline:
The deadline for applying to become a Robertson scholar through the University of South Wales (UNSW) is December 1 – Australian time.
However, you may contact [email protected] with questions, if you have any.
How to Apply:
To apply for Robertson’s Australia Partner Program, You’ll have to go through UNSW’s scholarship application portal. Find the link below:
https://www.scholarships.unsw.edu.au/scholarships/id/1097
Read the instructions on the portal and proceed to download and fill the scholarship application form. You may as well download the form here:
However, you must submit your application following UNSW’s portal.
Note also, that if you’re shortlisted, the scholarship committee will invite you for an interview in Sydney. This may likely take place in March 2023. You can’t get the Robertson scholarship through the UNSW partnership without attending a personal interview with the committee.
If you live in Sydney, you may be interested in the Western Sydney International Bursary. Check it out
Robertson Scholarship for First-Year Students
Gaining admission into Duke University or UNC-Chapel Hill gives you access to the Robertson scholarship. However, you can only apply for this scholarship at the end of your freshman year. This is because the scholarship evaluates first-year applicants based on their academic performance, initiative, and accomplishment during their freshman year.
You’ll have to be enrolled as a full-time, degree-seeking student at Duke or UNC-Chapel Hill to be eligible for this scholarship. At Duke, you must apply for a minimum of four full credits per semester while at UNC 12 credit hours per semester qualifies you.
Applying for the Robertson scholarship as a First-year student of Duke or UNC does not require you to be a citizen of a specific country/region. No, there are no restrictions on citizenship or residency for the Robertson First-Year Selection Program. Robertson encourages international students to apply for funding.
Meanwhile for the scholarship committee to consider your application, you’ll have to self-report either your SAT score or ACT score. You may choose to report both, however. Also, the scholarship requires first-year Scholars to maintain a GPA minimum of 3.0.
If you have fears about maintaining a good GPA then you should check out how to make a High GPA at school: 6 Effective ways to Increase your Brain Power.
Additionally, you’ll have to submit 2 letters of recommendation during your scholarship application. One of these letters should be from a Duke or UNC faculty staff member. The other letter, however, should be from anyone who can attest to your leadership and character.
Meanwhile, students who applied to the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program in high school are also eligible to apply as first-year students. However, the Robertson Selection Committee will not review first-year students’ high school applications submitted in the previous year’s selection period.
Scholarship Deadline:
The deadline for applying for the Robertson scholarship as a First-year student at Duke and/or UNC is February 1. However, the scholarship submission sarts by December 1.
If you already reside in North Carolina, you may also check out the 20 Best Scholarships in North Carolina.
How to Apply:
The First-year at Duke and UNC Robertson scholarship application is done online. Click on the link below to apply:
https://robertson-scholars.fluidreview.com/
Scholarship Link:
To find out more about the Robertson First-Year application, including FAQs, click on the link below:
https://robertsonscholars.org/first-year/
In Conclusion:
The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program pays for the undergraduate’s full, four-year tuition while giving the student the exclusive offer of ‘Dual citizenship.’ By dual citizenship, this scholarship offers you the ability to school at Duke University while partaking in activities of UNC-Chapel Hill, or the other way around.
Thus, the Robertson scholarship if available to students who wish to study at Duke and/or UNC. Because the program hopes to groom world leaders, you’ll also get access to quality leadership training and mentorship.
Meanwhile, you can apply for this scholarship either as a high school student, an International student, or a first-year student at Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill.
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Robertson Scholars Leadership Program FAQs
Basically, the Robertson Scholars leadership program seeks students who have demonstrated outstanding potential to become great leaders in college and beyond. They see people who can play significant and impact-filled roles in their various communities and society today and in the nearest future.
To get the Robertson scholarship, you will need to be either attending Duke or UNC to be eligible for the Robertson Scholarship. To qualify for this scholarship, you must be enrolled for the Year 13 senior school examination.
Robert scholar’s leadership program is valued at over $66,000 per annum. It provides full-tuition, room, and board. Also, the scholarship covers other academic expenses, and scholars at UNC will receive an additional living stipend. They will also reci=eive support for three summers of service, research, and travel.
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