Some of our most frequently asked questions are listed below.
Please check all the frequently asked questions before contacting us. If you have a specific questions, the quickest way to get a response is to go through our Message Center. You will need to have an IHS member account to use this feature.
- Can Non-US citizens apply?
- Can the Koch Summer Fellow Program accommodate my school schedule if the semester/quarter ends after June 6th or starts before August 14th?
- How competitive is the program?
- Is there an age requirement?
- What are the required essay topics for the application?
- What does the Koch Summer Fellow Program provide?
- What if I haven’t taken any standardized tests?
- What is the objective of the program?
- What is the application reviewing process timeline?
- What transcripts are required?
- Where can I obtain my standardized test scores?
- Where would I intern?
- Which program track should I choose?
- Who can apply?
- Who is Charles G. Koch?
Question: Can Non-US citizens apply?
Answer: The program is open to students and recent graduates of all nationalities. Applicants are not required to be U.S. citizens, nor are they required to have studied in the U.S.
For the non-U.S. citizens that are admitted into the program, we will work with you on obtaining the appropriate work visa for the duration of the program.
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Question: Can the Koch Summer Fellow Program accommodate my school schedule if the semester/quarter ends after June 6th or starts before August 14th?
Answer: The program can accommodate a student's conflicting school schedule on a case-by-case basis.
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Question: How competitive is the program?
Answer: The program accommodates 80 participants. Historically, about 1 in 15 applicants is accepted. The application review process takes into account demonstrated ability, leadership, intellectual curiosity, understanding of classical liberalism, and interest in learning about policy and the market process. If you have these interests you should not hesitate to apply and make your best presentation in the application.
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Question: Is there an age requirement?
Answer: Applicants must be between the ages of 18 to 30 on June 6, 2009.
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Question: What are the required essay topics for the application?
Answer: The following are the essay topics for the Koch Summer Fellow Program Application. View the online application (available Oct 1) for the rest of the questions:
1. Write a statement of no more than 250 words on your career goals, immediate and long term, and how the Koch Summer Fellow Program would help you reach them.
2. Write a 500-word essay on a major issue of public policy. Your essay should address the significance of your chosen issue, the problems with the current policies, and your public policy approach to dealing with it.
We are not looking for academic papers, please do not copy and paste past academic papers with citations.
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Question: What does the Koch Summer Fellow Program provide?
Answer: The 10-week program provides:
- An internship with a market-based organization, either in public policy, public interest law, or nonprofit management
- Furnished housing or housing allowance
- $1,500 stipend
- Travel expenses to and from the program
- Seminars on public policy analysis
- Career development workshops
- Writing assistance from a professional editor
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Question: What if I haven’t taken any standardized tests?
Answer: If your college or university did not require standardized test scores for admission, it is not necessary to take them for this application. Please make a note on your application form that you have not taken the tests.
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Question: What is the objective of the program?
Answer: The Koch Summer Fellow Program seeks to encourage the understanding and application of market-based solutions to social and economic problems, especially through public policy. By offering Fellows hands-on experience at public policy organizations and an integrated educational experience, the program is designed to:
- Enhance participants’ understanding of the market process
- Develop participants' analytic, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Expose participants to the opportunities available in public policy
IHS is an independent non-profit educational organization. It was founded in 1961 by Dr. F. A. Harper to foster research and education about the principles of a free society. The Institute offers a variety of programs of financial assistance, education, and career assistance to students who are interested in the study of liberty. These programs are funded through contributions to IHS from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
The Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow Program was initiated in 1992.
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Question: What is the application reviewing process timeline?
Answer: Applications will be reviewed by an application review committee at the Institute for Humane Studies during rolling admissions (December-January) and during the month of February.
At the end of February, finalists will be selected for the program. If you are a finalist it does not mean you are accepted into the program. The director of the program may be contacting you for a phone interview during the month of February or March. Not all finalists will be selected for a phone interview.
Throughout March, the director will work with the internship organizations to place finalists at each organization until all slots for the program are filled.
Finalists will hear about their status in the program from mid-March to mid-April.
Note: All dates are approximate and may be subject to change without notice.
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Question: What transcripts are required?
Answer: We accept unofficial copies, photocopies, and online transcripts. It is not necessary to obtain an official copy unless you don't have an unofficial version available.
If you are a graduate or law student, or have attended more than one undergraduate college then you may have more than one transcript. Upload your current college transcript under Upload Current Transcript. For previous colleges you have attended, consolidate your transcripts into one file and upload under Upload Past Transcript.
DO NOT upload your high school transcripts; we will not consider your high school grades in your application.
If you have a non-English transcript, please have it translated. Scan both the translated and untranslated transcripts into one file and upload it.
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Question: Where can I obtain my standardized test scores?
Answer: You may send us a photocopy of your most recent test scores. If you don't have a copy:
For SAT or GRE scores contact
www.sat.org
www.gre.org
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6006
Princeton, NJ 08541-6006
(609) 921-9000
Give your name, address, date of birth, and social security number. ETS will mail reports directly to IHS (code 0066) for $13 per report. Allow 3-4 weeks for scores to arrive.
For ACT scores write to
www.act.org
For LSAT scores write to
www.lsat.org
Law School Admission Service
P.O. Box 2000-T
Newtown, PA 18940-0995
(215) 968-1001
Provide the information above. For $30 the service will send you a sealed report which you must forward to IHS. Allow 1-5 weeks for LSAS to send scores.
For other scores, contact the test administrator.
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Question: Where would I intern?
Answer: IHS will assign you an internship at one of a variety of participating host organizations. Applicants are asked to provide information about which policy issues and potential host organizations interest you. Using our knowledge about the different organizations, their specific projects, and their needs, we are able to take your preferences into account and arrange the best possible summer experience for you. Please see Internship Placements for more information.
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Question: Which program track should I choose?
Answer: The Koch Summer Fellow Program offers two different program tracks, each with the same benefits. To choose between them, ask yourself if you prefer to be in Washington, DC, or at another location in the US.
Your answer to this question should help you pick the appropriate program track. Visit the pages for each track to learn more:
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Question: Who can apply?
Answer: Undergraduate students, graduate students, law students, and recent graduates are eligible to apply. Successful fellows hail from both large and small universities and major in a variety of disciplines. Ideal candidates will have a demonstrated interest in public policy issues and in learning how a market-based approach might help solve social and economic problems.
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Question: Who is Charles G. Koch?
Answer: Charles G. Koch is the chairman of the Institute's board of directors. The Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow Program was conceived of and launched at the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation in 1992. IHS currently runs the program with the generous support of the Foundation and CEO of Koch Industries, Inc. His last name is pronounced like "Coke."