Are you someone who thinks critically and wants to make a difference in the world through your work? Have you been thinking about pursuing a fellowship programme? Then the Young India Fellowship (YIF) is the right choice for you!
Read the article to know more about Young India Fellowship from eligibility criteria to curriculum…
Young India Fellowship (YIF) is a flagship programme of Ashoka University. Established in 2011, YIF aims to develop socially conscious leaders and change-makers for the 21st century by offering a residential postgraduate diploma in liberal studies. Fellows are nurtured so that can (re)imagine themselves as well as identify the causes they are passionate about and enhance their career trajectory.
It is usually seen that within a year, Fellows get involved in a variety of fields of study, research, or practise, made possible by the mentoring offered by top academics and thinkers of the day. They improve critical thinking and writing skills while taking a hand-picked range of courses from renowned professors and working in teams to tackle real-world problems.
To get admission to the Young India Fellowship’s 2023-24 session, candidates must abide by the following eligibility requirements:
The YIF fosters inclusivity and candidates are invited irrespective of their socioeconomic, professional, geographical, and academic backgrounds. In fact, past fellows have included those who have started their own businesses or are working as freelancers or are taking a gap year, or might be getting ready for a competitive exam.
The 12-month programme is broken down into 8 terms, each lasting about 6 weeks. Candidates typically take 8 core courses and select 12 electives from a list of more than 25. This gives candidates the freedom to design their own Fellowship experience, experiment with it, and tie it to their long-term objectives.
There are two main programme components in addition to the academic coursework. These are the Critical Writing curriculum, which teaches students to read critically, think critically, and write well; and the Experiential Learning Module (ELM), which enables students to put their knowledge to use and hone their skills. Both these modules run parallel with the academic coursework and cover 8 to 10 months out of the year.
In any given round, a student can only submit one application during the admissions season. You can, however, submit your application before the final round deadline if you miss the early round deadline. Candidates must note that there is no application fee.
Candidates who are interested in applying for the Young India Fellowship must follow the steps given below:
Step 1: Visit the official website of Ashoka University
Step 2: Create an account for YIF and complete the registration process
Step 3: Log in to the portal with the credentials
Step 4: Fill out the application form
Step 5: Submit the application form
Step 6: Once the application process is complete, candidates must then wait for YIF to contact them
Step 7: Candidates who are shortlisted will be called for a personal interview, on the basis of which the final selection is made.
The YIF selection procedure is intended to admit a diverse and exceptional class of people from both India and outside. Two rounds make up the YIF admissions procedure. Within a given time frame, applications are accepted for each round, and a pool of candidates is then chosen to become Fellows.
The major stages in the application and selection process are:
Stage 1: Application Assessment
The administration conducts a holistic evaluation at this stage of elimination, evaluating each application carefully and completely. They consider a person's history, personal goals, interests, and experiences as well as their academic and professional accomplishments. An essential part of the application, the essays section, gives evaluators key insights into how applicants process information, think about it, and interact with others and ideas. For applicants, then, the essays are one of the most crucial parts of the application, and they must give these ample thoughts and submit their best and most authentic work.
Stage 2: Personal Interview
For the personal interview, candidates are provided with a selection of dates and times from which to choose. The candidate and two panelists (faculty, leadership, or alumni) interact for 25 to 40 minutes during the YIF interviews. At this stage, panelists learn everything there is to know about the candidates including how they might benefit from the YIF and how having them in the cohort might benefit others. Be sure to prepare accordingly for the interview.
Stage 3: Decisions
Once the personal interview is over and the decision-making committee has arrived at the final selection, candidates usually receive either an offer of admission, a waitlist for admission, or a denial of admission. Candidates will also learn the outcome of their financial aid package on the occasion that they are given an admissions offer (if awarded). A limited number of accepted candidates are also eligible for the Chancellor's Merit Scholarship interview.
Why should you as a candidate choose the YIF? We have included a few important factors here:
The YIF gives you the chance to combine intellectual diversity with the academic depth you attained in your undergraduate studies. It also helps you to develop or hone those talents that are in high demand, regardless of where you work or study. By participating in the curriculum and extracurricular activities they offer, fellows are greatly benefited and emerge as those who will carry on to great heights in the future. So, what are you waiting for? Apply for the YIF at the earliest!
