Changes on the 2014 Application

Instead of the Why UK Question we now have the Ambassadorial Potential Question:

“Candidates should describe what "the USA-UK special relationship" means.   They should also describe how they might strengthen ties between the USA and the UK in their field of study and through their extra-curricular activities, whilst in the UK and upon their return to the US.“

Ambassadorial Potential: Dictionary Definition

The Official Definition of an Ambassador:

From the Oxford English Dictionary

noun an accredited diplomat sent by a state as its permanent representative in a foreign country:•the French ambassador to Portugal•a representative or promoter of a specified activity: he is a good ambassador for the industry

Derivatives•ambassadorial•Pronunciation: /ambasəˈdɔːrɪəl, amˈbas-/•adjective •ambassadorship•noun

Origin:•late Middle English: from French ambassadeur, from Italian ambasciator, based on Latin ambactus 'servant'

From Webster Dictionary•1: an official envoy; especially : a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment •2:

a : an authorized representative or messenger

b : an unofficial representative <traveling abroad as ambassadors of goodwill>

Selection CriteriaAmbassadorial Potential

• Knowledge of US/UK Relations. Is there evidence that the candidate understands the general US/UK relationship, as well as specific aspects of this relationship that are pertinent to his or her field of study? Is the candidate aware of opportunities for on-going relationships with UK counterparts?

• Evidence of Transferable Extra-curricular Activities. What extracurricular activities has the candidate undertaken that could be put to use in the UK to meet the Marshall Scholarships' objective of gaining a greater understanding and appreciation of contemporary Britain?

• Interpersonal Skills and Ability to Engage with Others. Does the candidate have a track record of proactively and enthusiastically building productive relationships with people outside his or her peer group, particularly when engaging with them in his/her field of expertise. Does the candidate appreciate the needs, motives and concerns of others?

• Self-confidence and ability to Seize Opportunities. How has the candidate responded to opportunities and what was the result?

Ambassadorial Potential: Comments from our Selection Committees

Comments from Senior members of our selection Committees on what they are looking for:

“ As you know, Ambassadorial has a strong correlation to leadership potential.  What I look for is evidence that a candidate not only has leadership potential but also the communications skills to expand their reach beyond their topic: that they have a sense of wider engagement than simply their speciality.”

“On Ambassadorial potential, for me it is fundamentally about whether the candidate is motivated and inspired by the UK as a place to study and live, and is likely in 10-20 years’ time to be contributing in some way to our bilateral relationship. Candidates don't have to have been to the UK. But having a good understanding of British institutions/policy/culture - especially in their field of study - is an important indicator. The really good candidates were able to not only to display current knowledge of UK/US affairs, but to imagine where they might be in the future, and explain what that might contribute to relations between our countries.”

“The committee puts high weight on UK-US relations when evaluating ambassadorial potential, and the committee weights the prospects for the post-scholarship period as well as the time spent in Britain.”

Ambassadorial Potential: So what does all this mean

• This takes some thought. Applicants should think through their answer to the question carefully and try and explain what the special relationship means to them, and in their discipline, as well as on the global scale.

• It is about knowledge, confidence, enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and engagement• It is about what the student does now, what they plan to do whilst in the UK and what they will do in the future• It is about having a wider focus and an ability to interact with others to develop a relationship in the long term.• It is about an understanding of the mutual interests and benefits from the UK/US Relationship, and some

willingness to pursue these in a variety of forums: academic, social, community, political and cultural.