DESCRIPTION OF THE
UNT/EMORY/AUC/IMLS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The UNT/EMORY/AUC/IMLS Scholarship Program is funded through a grant to the Emory University Libraries and the University of North Texas School of Library and Information Sciences from the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to support the recruitment and education of a new generation of librarians.  The mission of the program is to increase the number and diversity of students enrolled in an ALA accredited program and to educate new librarians with specialized training in traditional and digital librarianship.  Graduates from this program will serve as dynamic stewards of cultural knowledge in the rapidly changing library and information science field.  The students who specialize in digital knowledge management will gain additional digital library experience in  internships at area libraries.

Priority consideration for the scholarship will be given to applicants admitted to the UNT Georgia Cohort program who further qualify in one of the following categories:

• Applicants from minority backgrounds

• Applicants from rural libraries and communities

• Applicants who fluently speak at least two languages

• Applicants holding a non-liberal arts degree

The Scholarship program offers recipients:

• $12,800 scholarship awards. Paid in two annual increments (divided between the Fall and Spring semesters) this amount  represents approximately 60% of the total current tuition cost of the UNT master’s program. The scholarships will be awarded through Emory University Libraries.

• Specialized weekend seminars on Digital Libraries and Professional Development

• Internship opportunities at Georgia libraries including the Robert W. Woodruff (Main) Library at Emory University and the Robert W. Woodruff Library at the Atlanta University Center

• Reimbursement for student dues for the American Library Association, Georgia Library Association, or other library and information science professional associations.

• A mentor program to match scholars with a Georgia librarian

Complete each step in the application process.  The timely completion of your application is your responsibility.

1. To be eligible for consideration for the UNT/EMORY/AUC/IMLS Scholarship Program, you must be admitted to the University of North Texas Toulouse School of Graduate Studies and to the University of North Texas School of Library and Information Sciences master's  program.  You must submit two applications to the University of North Texas for admission to the master’s program. Applicants are advised to submit both the University of North Texas Toulouse School of Graduate Studies and the University of North Texas School of Library and Information Sciences master's program applications no later than January 31, 2008.
    
2. For directions and more information about the University of North Texas Graduate School and School of Library and Information Sciences application process, be sure to review the Master's Admission Checklist page on the UNT/SLIS homepage at http://www.unt.edu/slis/apppacket/checklist2.htm. The Master's Admission Checklist will give you step by step instructions on the application process for the Univ. of North Texas.  The Checklist is where you begin the application process.  Please review the application instructions and start collecting supporting materials well before the deadline.
   1. The UNT - Toulouse School of Graduate Studies is the first school that you must submit an application and be admitted.  The deadline recommended to submit the application is January 31, 2008. 
      • The directions for applying to the Graduate School are located at: http://www.tsgs.unt.edu/admission_to_graduate_studies.htm
      • The online application to Graduate School is at:  https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/gen/c_start.WBX?s_logon_msg=Y 
      • Complete official transcripts from all colleges and universities you attended must be submitted to:
        Toulouse School of Graduate Studies
        University of North Texas
        P.O. Box 305459
        Denton, TX 76203-5459
      • Official score reports from either the Graduate Record Examination – http://www.ets.org/gre/ (The UNT school code for the GRE is 6481) or the Miller's Analogies Test – http://www.milleranalogies.com/ must be submitted to the Graduate School.
   2. The UNT - School of Library and Information Sciences application is at: http://www.unt.edu/slis/resources/e-forms/SLISAPP.pdf.  The application to SLIS cannot be completed online - you must print it out and send it.
      • You must submit three recommendation forms.  Letters should be from former professors or others who can evaluate your academic qualifications and from job supervisors who can assess your potential for success as an information professional.  The forms are linked on the Master's Admission Checklist page at: (PDF - http://www.unt.edu/slis/resources/e-forms/recommendation.pdf or (HTML - http://www.edu/slis/resources/e-forms/recommendation.htm)
      • You will need to submit a one-to-two-page essay stating your purpose and goals in applying to our program.  In your statement, include the nature of your interest, how you became interested in the field, your short- and long-term goals, the strengths that you would bring to the information profession, and how the UNT program will help meet your career and educational objectives.
         
3. To be considered for the UNT/EMORY/AUC/IMLS Scholarship, each applicant must submit the completed application package including the following materials:
   1. Submit the completed UNT/EMORY/AUC/IMLS Scholarship Application. The application is an interactive pdf form.  Fill out the form and then print out your completed application from your printer. Please print out and complete the UNT/EMORY/AUC/IMLS Scholarship Application located on the Georgia Cohort Program page at http://www.unt.edu/slis/distance/georgia/index.htm.  Use additional sheets if required as directed.  If you have questions about the application contact: Yvonne J. Chandler - chandler@lis.admin.unt.edu or Charlotte Thomas - cthomas@lis.admin.unt.edu 
   2. Submit a copy of all transcripts (an official or unofficial copy is acceptable) of your complete college, graduate, or professional school scholastic record.  You should have your transcripts sent to YOU.  Do not send transcripts to UNT/SLIS.   REMEMBER! All of the required materials for the scholarship application must be submitted together in one package.
   3. Submit three letters of recommendation.
      • Identify and seek letters of recommendation of three individuals who are in a position to evaluate your academic performance or your potential as an information professional.
        1. Your letters of recommendation must include one from your immediate supervisor or your supervisor’s immediate administrator or manager.
        2. Letters should be from people who know you from different environments - professors, colleagues, supervisors, committee members, etc. You should ask faculty members or employers who have had an opportunity to evaluate you carefully and individually over a sufficient period of time to make a reasonable evaluation. The letter should specifically address professional abilities with examples.
      • Your recommenders should return their letters of recommendation to YOU in sealed, signed envelopes to be mailed, unopened, with your paper application materials.  Have your recommender sign the letter across the back of the sealed envelope.
      • The recommendation forms submitted to UNT/SLIS cannot be used to replace the letters of recommendation for the scholarship application.
   4. A copy of your entrance examination test scores
      • Graduate Record Exam OR
      • Miller's Analogy Test
   5. Submit your personal statement required by the scholarship application.
       
4. The completed application package must include all requirements delineated (the UNT/EMORY/AUC/IMLS Scholarship Application, three letters of recommendation, the personal statement, report of test scores, and all academic transcripts).
    
5. SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1, 2008
    
6. The completed scholarship application package including all supporting documents must be postmarked by the above deadline or received by the University of North Texas School of Library and Information Sciences. REMEMBER: All of the required materials for the scholarship application must be submitted together in one package and sent to: 
   
   Yvonne J. Chandler, Associate Professor
   UNT/IMLS Scholars Program
   School of Library and Information Sciences
   P. O. Box 311068
   Denton, TX 76203-1068
   (940) 565-3777 or 1-877-ASK-SLIS
   Fax: 940-565-3101
   chandler@lis.admin.unt.edu
    

7. If you have questions about the application contact: Yvonne J. Chandler - chandler@lis.admin.unt.edu or Charlotte Thomas - cthomas@lis.admin.unt.edu