Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program
The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program is a six-week summer program designed to provide undergraduate students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in international affairs, a greater understanding of career opportunities in international affairs, and the enhanced knowledge and skills to pursue such careers. The Program usually selects participants (known as “Rangel Scholars”) each year from universities throughout the United States. This program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need. Students live at Howard University, attend classes, and participate in a variety of programs with foreign affairs professionals at Howard and at diverse locations around Washington, DC.
The Program has two major components. First, in order to enhance participants’ academic preparation to work in international affairs, the Program provides two courses and a seminar that focuses on enhancing knowledge and skills related to U.S. foreign policy, economics, and writing. In addition, in order to provide greater insight into the foreign policy-making process and international affairs careers, the Rangel Program introduces the participants to a wide range of government and non-government professionals who work on global issues and also arranges visits to various institutions involved in international affairs. The Program also helps students explore graduate school, scholarship, fellowship, internship, and professional options in international affairs.
The Program covers the costs for tuition, travel, housing, and two meals per day. It also provides a stipend of $3,300.
Deadlines
National Deadline: February
Academics – The International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program offers the following two courses at Howard University over the six-week period:
History of U.S. Foreign Relations – This course explores the major events and themes in U.S. foreign relations since the 19th century and identifies the widest possible causes, actors, and effects of foreign relations.
Political Economy – This course reviews the U.S. economy, introduces terms and tools used in public policy analysis, and discusses current international economic topics, including trade, globalization, and the role of international financial institutions.
Scholars also participate in an intensive, non-credit bearing writing seminar aimed at developing their ability to draft- in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner- a variety of different types of documents needed to pursue professional and academic interests in international affairs.
Outside Activities – Scholars have the chance to meet with a wide range of professionals from government and non-governmental organizations who can talk about diverse international policy issues and career options. In recent years, the Scholars have met with former Secretary of State Rice, the Director General of the Foreign Service, Congressman Rangel, and dozens of other foreign affairs professionals.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students, with at least sophomore status on the date of the application deadline.
- Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.
- Applicants must be a U.S. citizen.
- Completed sections with background information on the applicant, including work and volunteer experiences, international experiences, and honors and awards.
- An interest statement (in 500 words or less) that explains the applicant’s interest in international affairs and how this program will assist him/her in pursuing this interest
- A statement (in 400 words or less) from the applicant that discusses their need for financial assistance to participate in the Rangel Summer Enrichment Program, including an explanation of:
- The extent of your financial need for your undergraduate education
- How you finance your undergraduate education
- Any Scholarships, Fellowships, Loans or other sources of funding your undergraduate education
- Transcript(s) from all colleges or universities that the applicant has attended with grades, GPAs, and coursework. An official transcript is best; a student copy is acceptable if it is in the format of an official transcripts.
- Proof of full-time registration for the upcoming Spring semester, including (choose one)
- An unofficial or official transcript that shows courses listed for Spring 2024
- Screenshots or PDF files from applicant’s student portal that show courses registered for Spring 2024
- For study abroad programs, enclose a copy of the award/acceptance letter
- Proof of U.S. citizenship, including (choose one)
- Birth certificate
- Certificate of U.S. citizenship
- U.S. passport
- Two letters of recommendation
- One from faculty member
- One from a community leader who can comment on the applicant’s non-academic accomplishments and his/her potential as an emerging professional.
* Note: Applicants can return to their application at any time before the deadline to update any portion of their application and submit it as final before recommenders have uploaded their letters.
- Note: If selected as a Rangel Scholar, applicants will be required to send official transcripts, forms to register for university courses (provided by the Rangel Program), a medical form with immunization information (provided by the Rangel Program), and other required documents.
- Complete two NCA forms:
- Intake form
- Records Release Form and submit to nca@uc.edu
- Launch your online application
- Complete and submit application by National Deadline in February
- Finalists will be notfied in late March to early April
- The program runs from mid June to late July
- Information on this page is intended to supplement, not supplant, your own careful review of the official Rangel SEP website. If you find any discrepancy between the two, the Rangel website takes precedence.
- UC’s Student Code of Conduct applies to this application process.