Resources for Advisors

Charles B. Rangel Graduate Fellowship Program

How can I learn about and share information on the Fellowship?

The Rangel International Affairs Program does not require an institutional recommendation for applicants.  However, we depend on our university advisors, faculty, and staff, as well as individuals associated with different organizations throughout the country, to share information about the opportunities with students and alumni.  To support these activities, we encourage you to do the following:

  • Review our available resources, including brochures and an informational presentation, a presentation specifically for advisors, and a presentation geared toward individuals interested in management, economics, and consular work (coming soon).

  • Follow us on social media (TwitterFacebookYoutube, Instagram, and LinkedIn).

  • Share information on the Rangel Fellowship and summer program with faculty, staff, affinity groups who work with underrepresented groups, education abroad programs, student groups, participants in programs such as the Gilman Scholarship or the Critical Language Scholarship, and students considering applying for the Fulbright or other international programs.

  • Check out our Tips for Preparing a Competitive Application and Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the fellowship and the application process.

  • Consider scheduling short, informational pitches to groups that support underrepresented and/or first-generation students, returned study abroad students, or student honors programs; or classes in areas like international affairs, economics, or business. Template information session flyers are available.

  • Watch our webinar for advisors discussing the program.

  • Request a visit from or a virtual session with a Rangel Program staff member, a current fellow, or alumni. Please note that our staff is small and our alumni are often concentrated in certain areas. However, we are interested in direct conversations with interested groups. Email rangelprogram@howard.edu.

  • Review the Rangel Fellowship Directory by cohort year.

  • Contact us if you have questions about the presentation or would like further guidance.

What is the application and program timeline?

  • 2024 application launch: July 13, 2023

  • Application deadline for 2024 Graduate Fellowship: September 28, 2023

  • Notification to applicants of decisions on 90 Finalists: November 8, 2023

  • Final round of Fellow selections: December 4-7, 2023

  • Notification of Fellowship award: December 8, 2023

  • Orientation for 2024 Rangel Fellows: Mid-May 2024

  • Congressional Internship: Summer 2024

  • Graduate School: Fall 2024 to Spring 2026

  • Overseas Internship: Summer 2025

  • Entry into the Foreign Service: Summer 2026

Who Are We Looking For?

The Rangel Graduate Fellowship is a program that aims to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State in which they can help formulate, represent, and implement U.S. foreign policy. Eligibility criteria include:

  • U.S. citizenship,

  • A cumulative GPA of at least 3.2, and

  • Plans to start graduate school for a two-year program of relevance to the Foreign Service in fall 2024.

The program is open to seniors who will graduate by June 30, 2024 and individuals with a college degree. It is open to students with any major or area of interest who want to promote positive change in the world. It encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need. It also values:

  • Individuals with a commitment to public service

  • Individuals from diverse areas within the United States

  • Individuals interested in management, economics, and consular affairs

  • Individuals who have demonstrated resourcefulness and resiliency

  • Individuals interested in foreign languages and cultures

  • Individuals with strong leadership and organizational skills

  • First generation college students

  • Individuals who want to represent the United States as diplomats

While individuals with backgrounds in international relations or political science often apply, the fellowship also welcomes applications who have backgrounds in areas such as business, organizational management, economics, social work, and science fields, as the Foreign Service also has important work in these areas. As noted above, the application is open to individuals with any undergraduate academic major who are interested in a career in the Foreign Service. We would appreciate advisors’ assistance in encouraging individuals with a wide range of backgrounds to apply.

Charles B. Rangel Summer Enrichment Program (SEP)

How can I learn about and share information on the Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) for undergraduates?

The Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program does not require an institutional recommendation for applicants. However, we depend on our university advisors, faculty, and staff, as well as individuals associated with different organizations throughout the country, to share information about the opportunities with students and alumni. To support these activities, we encourage you to do the following:

  • Review our available resources, including a one-page flyer, an informational presentation for applicants. Follow us on social media.

  • Share information on the Rangel summer program with faculty, staff, affinity groups who work with underrepresented groups, education abroad programs, student groups, participants in programs such as the Gilman Scholarship or the Critical Language Scholarship, and students considering applying for the Fulbright or other international programs.

  • Check out our Tips for Preparing a Competitive Application and Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the fellowship and the application process.

  • Consider scheduling short, informational pitches to groups that support underrepresented and/or first-generation students, returned study abroad students, or student honors programs. Attached are templates for flyers for information sessions.

  • Request a visit from or a Skype session with a Rangel Program staff member, a current fellow, or alumni. Please note that our staff is small and our alumni are often concentrated in certain areas. However, we are interested in direct conversations with interested groups.

  • Check to see if you have an alumnus who has participated in either the Rangel Fellowship or the Rangel Undergraduate Student Program. If so, please contact us at rangelprogram@howard.edu and ask for contact information.

  • Contact us if you have questions about the presentation or would like further guidance.

What is the application and program timeline for the undergraduate summer enrichment program (SEP)?

  • 20234 Application launch: Late October 2023

  • Application deadline for 2024 SEP Program: Early February 2024

  • Notification to applicants of decisions on finalists: Spring 2024

  • 2024 Summer Enrichment Program: Mid-June through mid-July, 2024

Who Are We Looking For?

The Rangel International Affairs Summer Program aims to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers in international affairs, with an emphasis on the U.S. Department of State in which they can help formulate, represent, and implement U.S. foreign policy. Eligibility criteria include:

  • U.S. citizenship,

  • A cumulative GPA of at least 3.2, and

  • Full-time undergraduate students, with at least sophomore status on the date of the application deadline (February 2024)

The program is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are full-time students and who have at least sophomore status at their institutions on the date of application. It is open to students with any major or area of interest who want to pursue careers that promote positive change in the world. The program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need. It also values:

  • Individuals with a commitment to public service

  • Individuals from diverse areas within the United States

  • Individuals interested in management and economics

  • Individuals interested in foreign languages and cultures

  • Individuals with strong leadership skills

  • First generation college students

  • Individuals who want to represent the United States as diplomats