White House Fellowships -
The Selection Process

December

Applications must be post marked by December 1. Fellowship applications are initially screened by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and by alumni of the Fellowship program. Each application is evaluated by as many as five readers, so as to insure thorough consideration.

February

The first notification is made to applicants in mid-February by mail. Approximately 135 of the most promising applicants are named Regional Finalists.

March

Each Regional Finalist is interviewed by one of a dozen regional panels located in sites across the nation. Each panel is composed of leading citizens from that area of the country. As in every stage of the selectioni process, the Regional Panels are non-partisan, and each Regional Panel contains a mix of accomplished individuals from a wide variety of occupations.

April

Approximately three dozen candidates are named National Finalists.

June

National Finalists are interviewed for three days by members of the President's Commission on White House Fellowships. The Commission then recommends to the President those 11 to 19 individuals whom it feels would make the strongest contribution to the program.

July

The new class of White House Fellows travels to Washington for a week of job placement interviews with senior White House officials and Cabinet officers, and their staffs.

September

White House Fellows begin their year on September 1.