The Davis Fellowship is designed to recognize the potential of candidates, placing greater emphasis on promise rather than traditional measures of success. These traditional measures may often be constrained by cultural, environmental, familial, or financial challenges. The Fellowship is a full-tuition scholarship, awarded biennially to one member of the incoming class at Hampden-Sydney College.
Qualified applicants will be identified by the Dean of Admission and invited to submit an application for the Davis Fellowship. Candidates cannot self-nominate for the Fellowship; they must be nominated by a teacher, minister, coach, or another individual.
Nomination Process (Deadline: January 1)
Guidelines for Qualification:
The applicant for the Davis Fellowship will have demonstrated intellectual competence, enthusiasm, competitive drive, and passion during their high school years, particularly in a specific area of interest. This may include, but is not limited to, intellectual achievements, the arts, the sciences, student leadership, extracurricular activities, civic engagement, community service, or other pursuits.
The candidate will also have exhibited the resilience and determination to overcome challenges in pursuit of personal goals, demonstrating a willingness to take risks and compete at a high level. Furthermore, the applicant will have shown compassion and empathy for those around them, especially in their interactions with peers and others in their community.
In college and beyond, the Davis Fellow will apply the skills and principles derived from their liberal education to achieve excellence and leadership in society. The Fellowship recognizes potential, as identified by an educator, minister, or coach, more than conventional success metrics, which may have been shaped by circumstances such as culture, environment, family, or finances.
By February 10th, any prospective candidates for the Davis Fellowship will be notified by the Dean of Admission. An email will also be sent to the respective college counselors informing them of their student's invitation to apply.
Application Requirements:
The application consists of three components:
- Resume: A summary of academic achievements and extracurricular involvement, including honors, awards, leadership roles, and other notable experiences.
- Essay: A personal statement discussing your academic interests, extracurricular activities, and future career aspirations. The essay should also address why you believe you are a strong candidate for the Davis Fellowship.
- Letter of Recommendation: A letter from a teacher, coach, mentor, or another individual who can speak to your qualifications for the Fellowship.
All application materials should be submitted electronically to admission@hsc.edu, with the subject line "Davis Fellowship Candidate," by February 21. (Please make sure all attachments are under 5MB).
Selection Process:
By approximately March 1, the Admission and Scholarships Committee will select 3-5 candidates to invite to campus for an interview. These candidates will be notified accordingly.
On April 5, following the Admitted Student Day program, the selection committee will conduct in-person interviews. Interviewees should be prepared to meet with several members of the committee and should note that lunch will be provided. Candidates will be responsible for their travel arrangements; however, travel reimbursement will be available from the Fellowship.
Following the interviews, the Davis Fellowship Committee will select one individual to be named the Davis Fellow. The remaining candidates will be ranked in order of preference.
The selected Davis Fellow will be notified via telephone by a representative of the Davis family.
The recipient will have until May 1st, the National Candidate’s Reply Date, to formally accept the award. The recipient is encouraged to inform the College of their decision prior to that date. The remaining candidates will be offered the Fellowship in order of the Committee’s ranked preference.