For Advisors
Information for Advisors for the Truman Scholarship program. Includes sections on the general duties of advisors as well as more in-depth resources to assist with campus selection.
Message from the Executive Secretary
A message from our Executive Secretary, Dr. Terry Babcock Lumish, to all registered Advisors.
September 5, 2023
Dear colleague,
Welcome to the 2024 Truman Scholarship competition! Our 2024 application is open. You may register applicants from your dashboard page, with all applications due on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
While much has changed in our world, the content and questions in our application, as well as our selection criteria, have not. We continue to look for promising Americans from every state in the nation, plus DC and the US territories, making commitments to careers in public service, broadly defined.
Consistent with our recent years’ messaging and annual cohorts, there is no one-size-fits-all Truman Scholar. When it comes to cultivating leaders, our diversity is our strength. We see stellar applicants working in traditional political and policy roles – the campaign volunteer, the campus reformer, the military or nonprofit leader, the community activist – but we also welcome applicants pursuing meaningful change via science, technology, the arts, and other innovative avenues.
We respect that there are challenges we can see and know from our application, as well as many we cannot. We, along with all of our readers and interviewers, do our best to take into account the recent years' realities to give each Truman applicant the fairest possible consideration. There are ways that you can help – both by continuing to provide guidance and support, as well as alerting us to issues that may not be obvious from an applicant’s written materials.
We are acutely aware of the challenges facing not only applicants but also campus communities, including all of you. We recognize that many face hardships introduced by illness and economic instability. Campus resources – including advising – are stretched thin and subject to conflicting demands.
We plan to conduct our spring 2024 interviews in person. However, we will make allowances for individual situations or if the public health conditions in an area require them. Please keep eyes peeled for Foundation communication regarding any changes.
We will offer the following webinars for:
- Advisors Only, Tuesday, November 7 @ 2:00 pm ET
- Candidate Webinar (Advisors Welcome), Thursday, December 7 @ 2:00 pm ET
- Office Hours (Open to Both), Tuesday, January 9 @ 2:00 pm ET
Information about the webinars, as well as recordings, will be available on your dashboard page. The “Apply” section of the Truman website offers a great deal of information, including sample responses and an FAQ.
Should you have questions about our program, the online application, or the likely competitiveness of individual candidates, you are welcome to contact Deputy Executive Secretary Tara Yglesias (tyglesias@truman.gov).
Thank you for identifying and supporting our nation's future leaders.
Yours in service,
Dr. Terry Babcock Lumish
Executive Secretary
How to Become an Advisor
Basic responsibilities for Advisors as well as instructions on how to become registered with the Foundation
National Association of Fellowships Advisors
An organization that provides professional development and information on competitive scholarships like the Truman
Application Instructions
Step-by-step instructions on how to complete the Advisor section of the Truman application.
Frequently Asked Questions for Advisors
Answers to common questions about recruiting, advising and completing Truman applications.
Bulletin of Information
The Foundation provides a Bulletin of Information to be used for recruiting or to send along as basic information for recommenders and participants in practice interviews.
Ready to work with your student?
Head over to the Advice and Guidance section to find detailed information about what we look for in the application.