Frequently Asked QuestionsBlakemore Freeman Fellowships for Advanced Asian Language Study |
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Q. I haven't decided whether I want to attend the IUP-Tsinghua or the ICLP language program. May I list both programs on my application?
Applicants may list only one language program on their application.
Q. Do I have to be admitted by my language program first before applying for a Blakemore grant?
Apply to the language program and to us simultaneously. If you are offered a Blakemore grant, it will be awarded contingent upon your unconditional acceptance by the language program.
Q. What does "unconditional acceptance" mean?
You are admitted without conditions to the language program's regular academic year program, i.e., you are not required to successfully complete a summer program in order to attend the academic year.
Q. May I defer my grant for a year?
Grants may not be deferred. For grants awarded in the spring of 2009, study must start between June 2009 and May 2010.
Q. I have received my bachelor's degree, but am not currently affiliated with a college or university. Am I eligible to apply for a Blakemore language grant? I intend to pursue a career involving the regular use of an Asian language, and otherwise meet your eligibility requirements, but I'm not going to graduate school right now.
Yes, you may apply. Applicants do not need to be affiliated with a college or university.
Q. I would like to study after completing my master's degree. I will not be enrolled in a Ph.D. program or affiliated with a college or university. Am I eligible to apply for a Blakemore language grant?
Yes, you may apply. Applicants do not need to be affiliated with a college or university.
Q. Can a college senior apply for a grant?
The majority of applicants for Blakemore Freeman Fellowships have completed undergraduate study and are either pursuing post-graduate study or are working in a profession or business.
A senior in college who will receive an undergraduate degree before the start date of a proposed language program may apply for a Blakemore Freeman Fellowship. It is rare, however, for a senior to be offered a grant. One or more years of graduate school or work or study abroad after graduation make a significant difference in the chances for a successful application.
Q. I am a U.S. citizen and have been working abroad since I graduated from college last year. I would like to improve my language skills before going to graduate school. Can I apply for a grant?
Yes, you may apply. Applicants do not need to be currently enrolled in graduate school or living in the United States, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements for the Blakemore Freeman Fellowships.
Q. Can a foreign student with an F-1 student visa apply for a grant?
Regretfully, no. Applicants be must be either a U.S. citizen or have a U.S. permanent resident visa (i.e., "green card or immigrant").
Q. Are students from state colleges and universities or small private schools competitive for Blakemore grants? Must an applicant attend an Ivy League or other elite school to be awarded a Blakemore Fellowship?
Since our first language grants were made in 1992, we have awarded fellowships to individuals with degrees from a wide variety of schools.
About one-half of our grants have gone to students from the University of Washington, Harvard, the University of California at Berkeley, Stanford, or the University of Chicago, followed by Columbia University, University of Michigan, Cornell and Ohio State as well as 39 other institutions ranging from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, to Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.
While the greatest number of grants have gone to students from institutions with extensive Asian language programs or large numbers of extremely bright students, the institution is less important than the applicant.
Depending upon funding available to us, we are only able to make grants to 10%-11% of qualified applicants. Therefore, Blakemore grants are very competitive, but superior candidates from all institutions are encouraged to apply.
Q. Are languages of South Asia (Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, Bengali, etc.) eligible for Blakemore Freeman Fellowships?
No. The Blakemore Foundation's main focus is on East Asia. Please refer to our list of eligible languages.
Q. Can I get a copy of the application form mailed to me?
If you are unable to access any of the application forms on our website (click here for application forms in html and Microsoft Word formats), you may email us to receive a copy by mail. In your email be sure to tell us that you were unable to use the forms on our website.
Q. How many applications did you receive last year?
Click here for a summary of applications received and grants awarded for the latest period.
Q. How many grants will you make for the study of Japanese this year?
At the present time, approximately 1/2 of our grants are made for Chinese, 1/4 for Japanese and 1/4 for all other languages, based on the percentage of applications received for each language group.
Q. How many total grants will you make this year?
The total number of grants awarded each year may range anywhere from twenty to thirty based on funds available to us.
Still can't find the answer to your question? Please email us at blakemore@perkinscoie.com.