« Summer Internships available at National Yiddish Book Center - Feb 2 application deadline | Main | Henryk Halkowski, z"l »

Indiana University Jewish sacred music program scholarship

Four-year scholarship for incoming freshmen beginning Fall 2009
The Selma Lee Mervis Young Scholarship (up to $10,000 for freshman year and up to $15,000 for next 3 years) for Jewish Sacred Music students

The Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Jewish Studies Program at Indiana University is pleased to announce an inaugural four-year scholarship for incoming freshmen beginning in Fall 2009: The Selma Lee Mervis Young Scholarship. Students interested in a career in the cantorate and committed to pursing the Jewish Sacred Music Program as Jewish Studies majors or Jacobs School of Music vocal performance majors may apply for the Selma Lee Mervis Young Scholarship. For more information about the Jewish sacred music program, see: www.indiana.edu/~jsp/pre-cantorial.html. For information about admission to Indiana University, see: www.indiana.edu/~iuadmit/freshmen/. For information about application to the Jacobs School of Music, see: www.music.indiana.edu/admissions/.

The scholarships are only available to students entering IU Bloomington directly from high school and beginning as freshmen.

The Borns Jewish Studies Program at Indiana University is one of the largest and most vibrant undergraduate programs in Jewish Studies in the U.S. Founded in 1973, the program draws on the talents of faculty members from eleven different departments. The primary focus of the program is the education of undergraduate students.

Selection Criteria

Candidates will be considered on the basis of outstanding academic and personal achievement. Students should have a GPA of 3.4 or above and have a record of academic and extracurricular accomplishment.

Application Procedure

Please submit a cover letter providing name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, with a signed statement of commitment to pursue either the Sacred Music curriculum as a Jewish Studies major or as a Jacobs School of Music vocal performance major; a high school transcript; a personal statement that addresses plans for academic work at Indiana University and the specific way that Jewish Studies will figure in the applicant?s undergraduate education and career plans; a resume detailing extracurricular activities, awards, and honors; and, two letters of recommendation. (At least one of the two recommendations must come from a high school teacher well acquainted with the student?s academic strengths and should focus on the student?s academic abilities.) SAT/ACT scores will also be considered. Applicants need only submit them during the IU application process. Applicants will be considered for all appropriate scholarships.

Application Deadline

Applications must be received on or before Friday, March 6, 2009.

Announcement of Scholarship Prizes

The scholarship winners will be announced in May of 2009.

Mail completed applications to Jewish Studies Freshmen Scholarship Competition, Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Jewish Studies Program, Indiana University, Goodbody Hall 326, 1011 E. Third Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7005. Phone (812) 855-0453, FAX (812) 855-4314. Submission of transcripts and recommendations should be sent directly to the Jewish Studies Program. For more information about the Borns Jewish Studies Program at Indiana University visit our website at www.indiana.edu/~jsp/.