Anyone have know any Truman Scholars?

[Anonymous]

My DD is interested in public service (her focus area is accessible digital health systems) and heading into her junior year. She's done research in her area, interned in Congress, and worked in industry surrounding her focus area. Her academic advisor recommended that she apply for the Truman Scholarship (which we have no idea what that is, but apparently, it's prestigious). We looked online and found the website, but wanted to see if anyone in this forum knew anything about it or had any personal experience with it.

[Anonymous]

I know someone who did it many years ago, and I was a finalist but not a winner. Writing the essays wasn't too fun but I met interesting people at the interviews (both the interviewers and the other applicants). It is prestigious--not as much as Rhodes but easier to get, though the odds of winning it are still low. It certainly doesn't hurt to apply. It provides money for grad school.

[Anonymous]

I know several and they all had a fantastic experience. It is definitely prestigious.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I do. What is the question? If it’s prestigious? Yes. I went to Yale for law school. I knew who was a Rhodes, Marshall, and Truman scholar in my class.

[Anonymous]

I know one. Do it also please tell you daughter to always consider programs like this and various fellowships. They set you apart not just on paper but on the way you think.

I have a doctoral degree did another program and it changed my life.

[Anonymous]

My husband had one. As a prof, I selected our school’s nominees for a few years and two of them went on to become Fellows. DH also had a younger colleague who won one.

None of these are people who ended up in politics/government/public service, though all of them are very successful in other fields (law, academia, media). When I worked for another Presidential fellowship program, the Administrator said our program was deliberately designed to make sure people who got the award actually went on to do the kinds of things the program was meant to incentivize and that they were learning from the Truman program’s mistakes.

What does this mean for your kid? It’s prestigious, lucrative, and not constraining. The $$ really helped my DH back in the day. And fellowship money for professional schools is not that easy to come by.

Awards are by state (and maybe region) and kids from small states at nationally prestigious schools seem to do well.

[Anonymous]

I was a Truman Scholar about 25 years ago and have been a federal employee ever since. It was an excellent experience - in addition to the $, which paid for my grad school, they funded a year's study abroad between undergrad and graduate degrees and also helped counsel me on my career goals and path. I also met other young people from across the U.S. all keen to pursue public service and give back to their communities. Definitely recommend your DD consider applying - great opportunity if selected, and good experience to apply even if not successful.

[Anonymous]

I applied and my school nominated me. I didn’t get to be a finalist. I felt bad, like I had let my school down.