Summer Public Service Fellowship Application Instructions

Please upload your documents to the Public Service Fellowship TWEN site by 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2021. If you have technical issues, please email professor Annie Smith immediately (abs006@uark.edu).

  1. Completed Summer Public Service Fellowship Application form, including the Character and Fitness Disclosure (note: having information to disclose does not preclude participation in the fellowship program)
  2. Current resume (which has been reviewed in advance by Career Services)
  3. Unofficial law school transcript – a printed grade report is acceptable (note that high academic achievement is not a fellowship requirement)
  4. Personal statement (1,200-word limit)
    • Describe your public service career goals (public service includes work for public interest, social justice, non-profit, or government agencies).
    • Explain how these public service career goals are furthered by your summer position.
    • Discuss your previous public interest or government service experience and/or activities demonstrating your commitment.
    • Describe your specific financial need for this grant and how you will pay for summer living expenses if you do not receive this fellowship.
    • Provide any additional personal details that you think will help the selection committee evaluate you as a fellowship candidate.
    • If known, describe your long-term career goals and where you hope to practice law.
  5. Proof of an offer from a qualifying employer – see sample offer letter
    • In order to receive full funding for the fellowship, you must have a full-time placement at a qualifying organization for a minimum of 10 weeks.
    • Qualifying employers include 501(c)(3) organizations, other non-profits, and local, state, tribal, or federal entities, including the judiciary. For-profit law firms that perform public interest work do not meet the qualifications for this program. Funding preference is made for students working for an organization that cannot otherwise afford summer law clerks. Your work must be supervised by a licensed attorney who is employed by the organization.
    • Students are responsible for identifying and contacting potential employers. You may contact Career Services or professor Annie Smith (abs006@uark.edu), director of Public Service and Pro Bono, if you would like guidance about how to do so.
    • Provide copy of offer letter from summer position.
    • The offer letter should include your start date, the scope of work you will perform, and affirmation that you will be supervised by a licensed attorney.
  6. Proof that your student account is in good standing (a print-out stating that you do not have an outstanding balance with the University of Arkansas)

Squire Patton Boggs Foundation Fellowship: Students applying for the Squire Patton Boggs Foundation Fellowship have some additional requirements and will need to provide additional information on the Summer Public Service Fellowship application. See the Summer Public Service Fellowship Overview and Squire Patton Boggs Foundation website for details.

Please contact professor Annie Smith (abs006@uark.edu) if you have any questions or would like to discuss any aspect of the Summer Public Service Fellowship program.