American Association of Teachers of German

The Graduate School Experience: Fellowships for Advanced Undergraduates Majoring in German

A Weeklong Summer Seminar organized by the

Department of German, Scandinavian and Dutch

at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, August 16-22, 2008

The Project is Jointly Funded by the DAAD, the Max Kade Foundation, and the University of Minnesota (College of Liberal Arts)

Since 2005, the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst/German Academic Exchange (DAAD) and the Max Kade Foundation have partnered with a leading university department to offer this special event for academically outstanding students who are considering graduate work in German Studies. The Graduate School Experience is aimed at outstanding German majors who have just completed their junior year. It offers an exciting week of advanced seminars for fifteen German majors from colleges and universities across the U.S. Students selected have their program expenses paid. The success of past seminars has been overwhelming: more than ninety percent of participants last summer commented that the Graduate School Experience would be an important factor in deciding whether or not they would pursue graduate studies. Graduate schools are now considering applications from those participants.

The Department of German, Scandinavian and Dutch at the University of Minnesota is pleased to host the Graduate School Experience in 2008 with the generous assistance of the DAAD and the Max Kade Foundation. The seminar’s topic will be “History, Memory, Narrative.” In interdisciplinary sessions led by University of Minnesota faculty, students will explore this topic from multiple perspectives (literature, film, and other materials). Students will be introduced to the many resources available at a research university, as well as the vibrant urban setting of the Twin Cities, home to nationally renowned institutions such as the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Art, as well as a rich performing-arts landscape spanning classical and contemporary music, dance, and main-stream and experimental theaters. Information about the program will soon be posted at the GSD website: http://gsd.umn.edu/

Crucial components of the program are practical and realistic information about graduate study in German as well as individual advising of students concerning their future plans. Reflecting on the experience, one participant wrote: “The Graduate School Experience was quite, well, the experience. As a student from a liberal arts college, it was important that I a) meet a group of students and scholars who share a similar passion and from whom I could learn, and b) understand that there is a vibrant, exciting academic community that is constantly broadening its scope and enriching its understanding. In my undergraduate setting, there is literally only a handful of students AND professors in the German Department. . . . I had almost ruled out graduate study because I did not think there would be any professional opportunities for me. The Graduate Experience showed me that there are such opportunities. . . . It showed me that graduate school is, culturally and intellectually, an exciting place to be.”

Apart from a nominal registration fee of $50, all expenses are paid: travel (in the U.S.), room, board, materials, and events. Students will be housed in a dormitory on campus, attend seminars, and have access to the university library. 

We encourage applications from students with a passion for German language, literature, and culture, strong academic records, and aptitude for research and critical thinking. Your students need not at this point be considering graduate studies. In fact, we welcome applications from undergraduates who may be thinking of other areas of graduate studies (business, law, journalism, etc.), but who have shown a sustained interest in German Studies. What is key is your conviction that the individual has the kind of intellectual curiosity and demonstrated ability that lead in the direction of graduate studies.

Application process:

Please send a letter of nomination that includes an e-mail address for you and your student. The students you nominate should provide the following supporting materials:

• her/his academic transcript (junior status 2007-8 required)
• personal statement (1-2 pages; include contact information through June 1)
• SAT/ACT scores (copy accepted)
• writing sample in German or English (3-5 pages).

The priority deadline for applications is April 25, 2008. Nominations and accompanying documents should be sent to:

Department of German, Scandinavian and Dutch

205 Folwell Hall, 9 Pleasant St. SE

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN  55455-0124

e-mail: gsd@umn.edu

The Graduate School Experience program was begun with an eye to the future of German Studies across the U.S. We hope you will join us in this project by nominating your best students.