Check out the eligibility requirements to see if you qualify. You must be between 18 and 30 years of age and in good enough academic standing to achieve a bachelor's degree before accepting the Mitchell scholarship.
Start the application process several months in advance to make sure you meet the October 15 deadline. Get application materials from the US-Ireland Alliance, the organization that administers the scholarship program, by writing to US-Ireland Alliance, 1747 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., 12th Fl., Washington, DC 20006; or visit the official scholarship Web site (see us-irelandalliance.org/scholarships.html) or call (202) 261-7354.
Secure a formal endorsement from your university and provide the US-Ireland Alliance with the names and addresses of six people willing to write you letters of recommendation; at least four of these people must be your past or present college professors. The recommendations must address why you are specifically qualified to receive a Mitchell scholarship.
Gather all necessary documents for submission with your application. These documents include transcripts; a photocopy of your birth certificate; a 1,000-word essay stating your interests, aspirations and reasons for pursuing postgraduate study; and a brief description of your activities during college.
Consider additional factors the selection committee will examine during the application process: intellectual distinction, leadership, integrity, honesty and fairness. Incorporate these things into your essay and description of college activities if possible.
Use a daily planner to keep track of all the elements of your application - for example, when the application is due, when you requested a copy of your birth certificate and so on.
Choose any course of study you like for your postgraduate work. There are no restrictions on academic fields of study, as long as the program is offered at one of the participating universities.
Submit your application directly to the US-Ireland Alliance and wait until the selection committee makes its first cut. If you're selected, you'll be asked to travel to Washington, D.C., for an interview before the committee.
Pass the interview test and the committee will seek admission to a participating Irish university (of your choice) on your behalf. Until you're accepted by a university in the program, you cannot officially be accepted as a Mitchell scholar.