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Schwarzman Scholars Program: Everything You Need to Know
By
Cece Gilmore
Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.
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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
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Want a fully funded master’s degree from one of the top universities in China? No, this is not too good to be true! The Schwarzman Scholars Program is a one-year fully-funded program that provides students with exposure to China and a master’s degree in global affairs. Read more to learn more about this amazing opportunity!
What is the Schwarzman Scholars Program?
The Schwarzman Scholars is a scholarship program that provides students with a one year fully-funded master’s program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. The Schwarzman Scholarship aims to provide students with an immersive understanding of China and its culture.
The Schwarzman Scholarship has an acceptance rate comparable to the Rhodes and Marshall scholarships, making it an extremely competitive scholarship program.
Also see: Rhodes Scholarship: Everything you need to know
Schwarzman Scholars background
The Schwarzman Scholars Program was created by Stephen A. Schwarzman in 1902 in response to the growing tension between the United States and China. The Schwarzman Scholars Program aims to provide students with the opportunity to learn more deeply about China and its relation to other countries.
Related: Top international studies scholarships
What do Schwarzman Scholars do during their time in Beijing?
Schwarzman Scholars will live in Beijing for one year of study and cultural immersion. During this time, scholars will attend lectures, travel around the region, and gain an overall better understanding of China and its culture. Students will attend classes at Tsinghua University, which is one of China’s oldest and most prestigious universities. Around 30,000 students attend Tsinghua University.
The Schwarzman Scholars Program provides ample opportunities for students to explore China. Therefore, some courses within the program include field trips to business or government offices throughout China. The Student Life team organizes trips to historical and local sites for Schwarzman students outside of the classroom.
Students have the opportunity to create and join clubs on campus. Additionally, students can take advantage of all of the facilities on campus including fitness classes, a pool, the gym, and much more.
Related: How to get involved on campus
Curriculum
The Schwarzman Scholars was designed to strengthen its students’ geopolitical landscape of the 21st century.
Core classes
- Forty Years of China’s political, economic and social reform
- Global affairs
- Leadership
- Leadership in Business
- Leaders and leadership in history
- Leadership in public organizations
- Leadership in public crises and emergencies
- Values-based leadership
- Leading in higher education
- Leading a civil society organization – delivering social value
- Leading in humanitarian crises – war, disasters and disease
- Leading in international organizations (UN)
- Leading and managing not-for-profit organizations
- Leading the social innovation in China
- Leading in Chinese state-owned enterprises
Elective classes
- China’s foreign relations
- Theory and practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics
- China’s international development cooperation: theory, policy and practice
- China’s rise in comparative perspective
- Clean energy transition
- Technology policy in the developing world
- Financial reporting & analysis
- Leading issues in the global economy
Capstone
- Individual or group
- A project that is the culmination of student’s Schwarzman College experience
Admissions
Requirements
- Completed undergraduate degree (all fields of study are eligible)
- 18-28 years old
- Highly proficient in English
- Excellent academic record
- Readiness to embrace other cultures and perspectives
- Excellence in:
- Leadership abilities
- Exemplary character & integrity
- Academic aptitude & intellectual ability
- Empathy & intercultural competency
- Open mindedness
- Entrepreneurial spirit
Data
- United States = 40% acceptance rate
- Global = 40% acceptance rate
- China = 20% acceptance rate
Selection data
- 3,000+ applicants
- 400+ candidates interviewed
- 140+ scholars selected
- 40 countries represented in each class
Documents to be submitted
- Resume
- 2 Essays
- Transcript/academic records
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Video introduction
Admissions deadlines
| China candidates | January Application opens | May Application deadline | October/November Candidate interviews conducted |
| US & Global candidates | April Application opens | September Application deadline | October/November Candidate interviews conducted |
Key Takeaways
