Patrick Edwards

Patrick will be studying at Oxford University in England in fall 2021. “I chose to attend Oxford because their tutorial system and research institutions, like the Institute of New Economic Thinking, aligns well with my coursework at RIT and what I hope to pursue after graduation,” says Patrick. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Patrick is considering attending graduate school abroad and hopes his semester at Oxford will help prepare him. “Studying abroad for a semester as an undergrad will give me a sense of what a longer stay abroad would be like and if that is something I will want to pursue in the future,” he says.

Patrick's tips for applying for study abroad scholarships:

1) Start your applications early! I applied for the Gilman scholarship only a few days before the application deadline, and it was hectic getting everything in on time.
2) Use your resources to find as many scholarships as possible to apply to - it’s free money! I talked to my study abroad advisor and program manager about scholarships from the beginning, and they were able to direct me to several different scholarships, which have made my program to Oxford possible.
3) To save time, write one strong personal statement that can be easily adjusted for most study abroad scholarship essays. Most scholarships ask the same general type of essay questions. I saved myself a lot of time and effort by writing one general essay and making minor adjusts to that essay to meet the specific requirements and/or mission of other scholarships. 

The Gilman Scholarship Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and provides funding for U.S. students to study abroad. Since the inception of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program in 2001, over 33,000 scholarships have been awarded to students participating in study abroad programs and internships around the world.

RIT students interested in applying for a Gilman Scholarship should contact Jenny Sullivan (jenny.sullivan@rit.edu), Director of Education Abroad & International Fellowships.