Applicants should review all eligibility requirements up front at the Rangel Program website. The program has no flexibility on core eligibility requirements such as U.S. citizenship, cumulative GPA, and full-time undergraduate student status. Applicants should make a plan to complete all aspects of the application on time. This will require steps such as securing letters of recommendation, uploading transcripts, writing a statement of interest, and providing financial need information.  The FAQ section under the Summer Enrichment part of the website can answer many application questions. Applicants are welcome to contact program staff in an email to rangelprogram@howard.edu if they have additional questions.

The Summer Enrichment Program prepares participants to explore international affairs careers in government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector. The program emphasizes public service, particularly careers with the U.S. Department of State that advance American interests, strengthen national security, and promote a safer and more prosperous United States.

Your statement of interest should explain why you want to pursue an international affairs career, which career paths interest you most, and how your background, experiences, and skills would help you succeed in the program.

In developing your statement, consider addressing:

• Your commitment to public service: Explain your interest in serving the United States and contributing to its diplomatic, security, or economic goals.

• Your career interests: Describe the international affairs issues or professional paths that interest you and how the program would help you prepare.

• Your preparation and qualifications: Highlight relevant academic work, employment, internships, volunteer service, language study, or international experiences.

• Your ability to work effectively with others: Provide examples of sound judgment, adaptability, leadership, teamwork, or effective communication across cultural and professional settings.

• Your initiative and resilience: Discuss experiences or challenges that demonstrate your ability to solve problems, take responsibility, and persevere.

Competitive applicants demonstrate academic preparation, clear career goals, a commitment to service, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to the program. The selection panel wants to understand what motivates you, what skills and experiences you bring, and how you hope to apply what you learn.

Your statement must be 500 words or fewer. Use specific examples, answer the prompt directly, and review your statement for clarity, concision, grammar, and spelling. Focus on your qualifications and aspirations rather than general descriptions of globalization or international affairs.

Applicants must upload official transcripts from every college or university where they earned more than six credits. Request transcripts early and ensure that all required documents are uploaded before the application deadline. Missing transcripts may delay consideration of your application.

The selection panel reviews applicants’ complete academic records for evidence of academic achievement, rigor, and preparation for the program. No specific major is required. Past participants have studied a wide range of subjects, including International Studies, Economics, Political Science, Business, Communications, Psychology, and Foreign Languages.

Coursework in the following areas can demonstrate skills relevant to international affairs and public service:

• Mathematics, quantitative methods, or sciences

• English and writing

• Economics, business, or management

• Government or political science

• Foreign languages

Although coursework in these areas is not required, it can indicate preparation for the program’s academic demands and for careers that require analytical thinking, clear communication, and an understanding of international issues.

or ALL colleges or universities where they earned more than 6 credits. Failure to submit all transcripts can slow consideration of an application.  Applicants should request transcripts early and ensure that they are uploaded to the application before the deadline. The panel reviews all academic transcripts, looking for course work that would, overall, normally indicate particular academic ability and rigor. There is no specific requirement for an academic major, and past participants have had a wide range of majors, including International Studies, Economics, Political Science, Business, Communications, Psychology, and Foreign Languages. The panel is interested in the overall academic background. However, it does look for coursework in the following areas: Mathematics /Quantitative Courses or Sciences; English; Economics, Business or Management; Government/Political Science; and foreign language skill or studies. Coursework in these areas is not required but can be a useful indicator of success in the program and beyond.

The selection panel considers financial need as part of its review. Financial need may be reflected in reliance on grants or loans, outstanding student debt, employment while attending school, limited family resources, or the choice to attend a more affordable institution.

Applicants should help the panel understand their financial circumstances by:

• Completing the application’s financial questions accurately and thoroughly.

• Providing a clear, concise financial need statement explaining the assistance needed for undergraduate education and participation in the program.

Where possible, include specific figures, such as financial aid received, outstanding education-related debt, earnings from employment, and significant financial obligations. You may also explain how family resources, work responsibilities, or low-paid public service positions affect your ability to cover educational and program-related expenses.

Focus on the financial circumstances that demonstrate your need for assistance and how program support would enable you to participate.

The panel is particularly interested in extracurricular, community, or volunteer activities that show a commitment to service and to social causes and issues. Applicants should list all such activities and indicate any leadership roles that they have had in such activities, including creating programs or organizations or serving as an officer. The panel also values internship or work experiences that show an interest in such issues.

Such honors and awards could include inclusion in the Dean’s List, service or academic awards, scholarships, selection for prestigious programs, or any other honor the individual would like to highlight in his/her academic or work activities.

The Summer Enrichment Program selection process is very competitive. Applications that are polished, addresses all requirements, and are completed and submitted on time project a favorable impression. To ensure that all supplemental materials arrive on time, applicants should upload everything onto the online application well before the deadline. Do not wait until the final hours to complete the application.