Dean Elsbeth Melville Scholarships were established by the Boston University Board of Trustees in honor of the Dean Elsbeth Melville's "splendid and varied contributions to the education and lives of women in Boston University." Elsbeth Melville (CLA '27) served as Dean of Women at Boston University from 1945 to 1970. She supervised Boston University's first dormitory system for women. When she joined the administration during World War II, most college women were looking toward careers as housewives. While never disparaging that choice, Dean Melville inspired them to do more. To hone the social and leadership skills and the sense of civic responsibility she believed necessary to their future lives "as college women," she instituted student dorm advisors and a system of student dorm government, workshops, informal coffee hours, and formal teas. More important, she knew the women individually, helped them find financial aid, employment, and housing, nurtured their skills and confidence, and prodded them to achievement and service. Dean Melville's legacy is of a person noted for her warmth, sense of humor, integrity, and for the fondness and respect students and colleagues felt for her.

Candidates must be women who are full-time students at Boston University, who have junior status as determined by the Office of the University Registrar, and who have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher. Candidates must also expect to graduate in May of the year following the application deadline. Winners must study full time on the Charles River Campus or in a Boston University Overseas Program during the year of award funding. Seven-year medical students may apply during their second year of study if they have earned a minimum of 64 credits including transfer and advance placement credits by the time of application. Students with less than three semesters of study at Boston University will not be considered. Summer Term study at Boston University counts as a semester. Dean Elsbeth Melville Scholarships are available to students regardless of financial aid status.

Candidates will be judged against the following criteria: excellence of scholarship, high moral character and personal integrity, contribution to the life of Boston University, and potential usefulness in their chosen fields.

The specific amount of the award to be distributed in the senior year is determined by need, starting with a minimum of $1,000. Recipients who already hold full-tuition scholarships will receive the minimum award.

Women may apply for both the Harold C. Case and Dean Elsbeth Melville Scholarships. Although the application forms are similar, a complete set of application materials including recommendations will be required for each competition. Please note that the essay requirements for each competition are different. Candidates may submit similar essays, but they should focus on each award’s respective criteria. Women who win both the Dean Elsbeth Melville and Harold C. Case Scholarship will receive a minimum award of $2,000.Application Procedure:

A completed application for a Dean Elsbeth Melville Scholarship will include the following items:

• a completed application form
• three letters of recommendation [Using the recommendation request forms attached to the application , you should secure two letters of recommendation which describe your achievements of academic excellence from members of the Boston University faculty who have taught you (e.g., professors, preceptors, or lecturers) and a third letter from a faculty member, advisor, activity director, or other person who can affirm your positive involvement in the community. Reference letters from students or family members are not acceptable.].
• an unofficial transcript from the Office of the University Registrar (transcripts printed from the Student Link are not acceptable)
• curriculum vitae - a succinct pertinent list of principal activities and honors in college (including prizes, scholarships, offices held; athletic record; extracurricular interests and substantial activities) with dates. This must not exceed two pages in length, and should be set in a typeface no smaller than 10 points.
• a short personal statement describing your academic and other interests. This statement should also describe your excellence of scholarship, high moral character and personal integrity, contribution to the life of Boston University, and potential usefulness in your chosen field. This essay must not exceed 1,000 words in length and should be written in as simple and direct a manner as possible. It should be set in a 12-point typeface.

The University Fellowships and Scholarships Committee, One Sherborn Street, 8th floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02215 must receive all application materials by the deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Be sure to request letters of recommendation well in advance of the deadline. Applications that are missing letters of recommendation will not be considered. Consequently, candidates should contact the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships at bufellow@bu.edu a week before the deadline to ensure that all letters have been received. Candidates should give very careful thought to the preparation of their essay. The Boston University Fellowships and Scholarships Committee will consider applications and recommend candidates for selection. Winners will be announced in April.