Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship Essay Tips

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans offer a remarkable opportunity for immigrants and children of immigrants to receive funding for their graduate education. 

In this breakdown of the application process for Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships, we cover:

1)    Timeline of Application
2)    Eligibility
3)    Background Information – Why the Fund was developed
4)    Ideal Candidate – Personality Types and Traits
5)    What to Highlight
6)    What Not to Highlight
7)    How to Stand Out
8)    New American Essay Tips
9)    Career Goals Essay Tips

Timeline of Application

For the top finalists that will be announced in late January, 30 will be selected as Fellows and notified by March and results by April for the 2026 Entering class.

Eligibility

Eligibility is based on immigration status, age (no minimum bar; maximum 31 years), and academic standing without regard to GPA or test scores. The application is free and can be submitted when applying to graduate or professional school or during the first two years of the academic program.

Background Information – Why the Fund was Developed

Daisy Soros and her late husband, Paul Soros, both Hungarian immigrants and dedicated philanthropists, established the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans to support the aspirations of New Americans at critical points in their education. 
Paul Soros, an engineer who survived communist and Nazi Europe, was deeply committed to democracy and active citizenship. Daisy Soros, Paul’s wife, is a prominent philanthropist involved in numerous cultural and educational institutions. 

The fellowship focuses on individuals who demonstrate creativity, originality, initiative, and sustained accomplishment, emphasizing the importance of active citizenship and commitment to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Ideal Candidate – Personality Types and Traits

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans seeks individuals who embody the richness and diversity that immigrants and refugees bring to America. Ideal candidates are those who:

•    Demonstrate creativity, originality, or initiative.
•    Have a track record of sustained accomplishment.
•    Show promise of making significant future contributions.
•    Plan graduate training relevant to their future goals.
•    Exhibit a commitment to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights through their actions and choices.

What to Highlight

When crafting your application, focus on sharing your personal struggles, accomplishments, and achievements. 
Use your journey to “show who you are rather than simply telling”. 

Transparency is crucial, as it helps the selection committee understand your motivations and aspirations. 

Highlight how your background, experiences, and perspectives make you a unique candidate who can contribute to the American narrative.

For example, Jason’s journey from South Korea to the United States, where he engaged in impactful global health work, showcases his commitment to enhancing healthcare equity.

Pelkins’s story of overcoming hardships in Cameroon and founding an agribusiness that empowers local farmers illustrates his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to creating economic opportunities. 

Amit’s leadership in impact investing highlights his focus on mobilizing resources to address poverty and inequity.

What Not to Highlight

Avoid focusing solely on your academic achievements or test scores, as these are not the primary criteria for selection. 

Do not exaggerate or fabricate aspects of your story, as authenticity is highly valued. 

Additionally, refrain from presenting yourself as a perfect candidate without flaws or challenges, as the fellowship values resilience and the ability to overcome adversity.

How to Stand Out

To stand out, emphasize your unique experiences and the perspectives you bring as a New American. 

Highlight specific instances where you demonstrated creativity, initiative, or originality. Show how your sustained accomplishments align with your future goals and contribute to society. 

Provide concrete examples of your commitment to the principles of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Use your personal narrative to convey your passion, drive, and potential to make significant contributions to American life rather than writing an essay on the Bill of Rights.

By focusing on these aspects, you can create a compelling application that resonates with the values and vision of the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans, positioning yourself as an ideal candidate for this program.

New American Essay - Tips

Essay One (Word Length >1000 words) 
Tell us about your experiences as a New American. Whether as an immigrant yourself, or as a child of immigrants, how have your experiences as a New American informed and shaped who you are and your accomplishments?  Feel free to discuss how individual people (such as family or teachers), institutions, aspects of law, culture, society or American governance made an impact on your life as an immigrant or child of immigrants. The program is interested in understanding the context of your personal, professional, and academic accomplishments.

(A)    Introduction

Start your essay by briefly introducing your background as a New American. This sets the stage and provides context for the reader. Mention your country of origin, the circumstances that brought you to the United States, and the initial challenges you faced. This helps create a foundation for the experiences you will discuss in detail.

(B)    Highlight Key Experiences

Personal Experiences:
•    Share significant personal experiences that shaped your identity. This can include family dynamics, cultural adjustments, and personal challenges.
•    Example: Reflect on how your family’s sacrifices and resilience influenced your values and drive. You can reference Jason’s story of moving from South Korea and how his father’s career shift impacted his aspirations.
Influential People:
•    Discuss the impact of individuals who played a crucial role in your journey. This could be family members, mentors, or teachers.

Example: Highlight how a teacher or mentor guided you through educational challenges, similar to how Pelkins’ mother, a single parent, worked tirelessly to provide for the family while instilling the importance of education and perseverance. Educators recognized Pelkins’ potential, offering extra tutoring and encouragement, which played a critical role in his academic success.

Institutional Support:
•    Describe the role of institutions such as schools, community organizations, or government programs that supported your development.

Example: Mention how programs like Hope for Survival, founded by Jason, offer mentorship and resources to immigrant families navigating the education system in the U.S. This program helps students like Jason gain access to academic opportunities and build confidence, which is crucial for their growth and integration.

Cultural and Social Integration:
•    Reflect on how cultural integration and social interactions shaped your worldview. Discuss any cultural exchanges, community involvement, or societal contributions.

Example: Amit’s involvement in community programs and his leadership in impact investing can serve as an inspiration for discussing your own contributions to society.  Amit co-founded the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), mobilizing resources to address global poverty and inequity. His efforts demonstrate how integrating diverse cultural perspectives can lead to innovative solutions for societal issues.

(C)  Discussing Accomplishments

Academic Achievements:
•    Highlight your academic journey and achievements, focusing on how being a New American influenced your educational path.

Example: Discuss your pursuit of higher education despite challenges, similar to how Pelkins excelled academically and transferred to MIT to further his goals. Pelkins overcame significant financial and cultural barriers to attend a community college, from which he excelled academically and earned a transfer to MIT, where he continued to thrive and pursue innovative research.

Professional Milestones:
•    Share professional accomplishments and how your immigrant background contributed to your career choices and success.
•    Example: Relate your professional achievements to the larger goal of contributing to society, much like Amit’s impact investing work aligns with his mission to address poverty and inequity.

Community and Civic Engagement:
•    Emphasize your involvement in community service, leadership roles, and civic activities. Demonstrate your commitment to giving back to the community and promoting diversity.

Example: Detail your participation in community initiatives or leadership roles that reflect your commitment to active citizenship, echoing the values the fellowship upholds.

American Values 

Discuss how American values, especially those embodied in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, have influenced your journey. Contrast these values with the challenges faced in your country of origin without putting it down. Emphasize the freedom, opportunities, and democratic principles that have allowed you to thrive and contribute to society.

Example: Reflect on the freedom of speech and assembly that allowed you to advocate for causes important to you and the equal protection under the law that ensured you had access to the same opportunities as your peers. These values have empowered you to pursue your goals and contribute positively to your community and country.

What Not to Highlight

•    Avoid focusing excessively on grades, test scores, or academic accolades without linking them to your experiences as a New American.
•    Steer clear of vague statements about your immigrant experience. Specific, personal anecdotes are more compelling.
•    Maintain authenticity in your narrative. Do not exaggerate your experiences or accomplishments.

(D)    Conclusion
Conclude your essay by summarizing how your experiences as a New American have prepared you for future contributions. Emphasize your commitment to making a positive impact on society and how the fellowship will support your goals. 
Reflect on how the values and opportunities of American society have shaped your journey, reinforcing the themes of resilience, initiative, and community.

Career Goals Essay Tips

Essay Two (Word Length >1000 words)
Tell us about your current and near-term career-related activities and goals, as well as why you decided to pursue the specific graduate program(s) and school(s) that you have. How do you see your current work and study informing your early career goals? If you have not been accepted into a program yet, please tell us about why you selected the programs to which you are applying.

(A)    Introduction

Begin your essay with an overview of your current career-related activities and goals. Provide a snapshot of your professional journey so far, highlighting the key milestones that have brought you to this point. This sets the stage for discussing your motivations and future aspirations.

(B)    Current and Near-Term Career-Related Activities

Current Professional Work:
•    Detail your current job role, responsibilities, and any significant projects or initiatives you are involved in.

Example: If you are working in healthcare, like Jason, discuss your contributions to improving healthcare delivery or tackling specific health issues.

Short-Term Goals:
•    Explain your immediate career objectives and how they align with your current role. These goals should be specific and attainable within the next few years.

Example: For instance, if you are in a tech role, you might aim to develop innovative solutions to industry challenges, similar to Pelkins’ work on autonomous vehicles and economic opportunity. Pelkins’ work involved creating algorithms to improve the efficiency and safety of autonomous vehicles, thereby addressing transportation issues and generating economic benefits for underserved communities.

(C)    Why Graduate School?

Motivation for Pursuing Graduate Education:
•    Discuss the reasons behind your decision to pursue graduate studies. Highlight how further education will help you achieve your career goals and personal aspirations.

Example: Emphasize how specialized knowledge and skills gained through a graduate program will enable you to make a greater impact in your field, similar to how Amit pursued joint MPA/MBA degrees to enhance his effectiveness in impact investing.

Curiosity and Passion:
•    Reflect on what makes you curious and passionate about your field of study. Share specific areas of interest that drive your desire to explore further.

Example: If you are passionate about addressing social inequities, describe how this passion fuels your academic and professional pursuits.

(D)    Selection of Graduate Program(s) and School(s)

Program Selection:
•    Explain why you chose the specific graduate programs and schools you are applying to. Discuss the unique features, faculty, research opportunities, and institutional values that attracted you.

Example: If you are applying to MIT, like Pelkins, highlight how the institution’s focus on innovation and entrepreneurship aligns with your goals.

Relevance to Career Goals:
•    Describe how the chosen programs will help you achieve your short-term and long-term career goals. Link the program’s offerings to the skills and knowledge you need.

Example: If your goal is to lead global health initiatives, explain how a program in public health will provide the necessary expertise and network.

(E) How Current Work and Study Inform Early Career Goals

Application of Current Experience:
•    Discuss how your current work experience informs your early career goals. Highlight specific skills and insights gained that will apply to your future roles.

Example: If you have experience in non-profit management, describe how this experience has prepared you to tackle larger challenges in your chosen field, such as developing strategic initiatives, optimizing logistics, or influencing decision-makers to drive systemic change.

Exploration and Growth:
•    Emphasize the importance of exploration and continuous learning in your career journey. Mention any exploratory projects or initiatives you plan to undertake during your graduate studies.

Example: Outline plans to explore new research areas, participate in interdisciplinary projects, or engage in international collaborations.

(F)    Thinking Big and Long-Term Goals

Vision for the Future:
•    Articulate your long-term career vision. Think big about what you want to achieve if resources were no constraint. Describe your ultimate professional aspirations and the impact you hope to make.

Example: Envision a future where you lead transformative projects or organizations that address global challenges, much like Amit’s vision for mobilizing resources to combat poverty and inequity.

Impact and Contribution:
•    Highlight how your long-term goals align with making significant contributions to society. Reflect on how you plan to use your skills, knowledge, and resources to effect positive change.

Example: If you aim to revolutionize healthcare, describe how you plan to develop and implement innovative solutions that improve health outcomes globally.

Conclusion
•    Conclude your essay by summarizing how the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship will support your career aspirations. 
•    Reinforce the connection between your current activities, near-term goals, and long-term vision. 
•    Emphasize your commitment to contributing to American society and the global community through your chosen field. 
•    While elaborating your goals think big and bold. Think in a way like money is not a factor and you are just determined to your final goal.

 Related Services

• F1GMAT’s Scholarship/Fellowship Essay Editing Service
• F1GMAT’s Essay Review Service

Reference

• Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans