The Pros and Cons of a Fellowship

Key Takeaway

Fellowships are programs that are often associated with graduate and doctoral students, but some undergraduate students may also benefit from fellowship opportunities.
If you are pursuing specialized work, research, or service in your field, you might be a good fit for a fellowship.
While fellowships offer hands-on experience and long-term career benefits, they also require serious commitment, consistent effort, and an understanding that not every opportunity is guaranteed.

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Flickr user Joe More

If you are a soon-to-be graduate or doctoral student, you may be considering taking on a fellowship, but what exactly is it? And more importantly, is it something worth pursuing?

These short-term academic opportunities provide financial and professional support, usually for research or study. This guide will walk you through what fellowships are, why they matter, who they’re for, and whether one might be right for you.

What Is a Fellowship?

A fellowship is an academic and financial opportunity that allows a student to work as a research or lab assistant for a professor. They can be paid or unpaid, but all offer hands-on experience that looks great on a resume. Depending on the field, the duration of a fellowship can last anywhere from a few months to several years.

Fellowships provide valuable exposure and experience, along with a chance to connect with and learn from experienced professionals. Not to mention, professors also get much-needed help that allows them to move their work forward in a shorter period of time.

Why Pursue a Fellowship?

Many students choose to pursue a fellowship for several reasons:

To Learn and Grow in Their Field: You’ll receive professional development from experts in your field and gain real-world experience.
To Get Financial Help: Most fellowships will either pay you or cover your tuition costs so you can focus on research and studying without the financial burden.
To Look Good on Applications or Resume: Completing a fellowship shows schools and employers that you have dedication, expertise, and initiative.

Who Typically Gets a Fellowship?

You will typically see fellowships awarded to students pursuing their master’s or doctoral degrees, doctors who want more training after residency, or professionals looking for extra support to grow in their careers. Here are some common majors where you’ll find fellowships available:

Essentially, if you’re doing something specific and advanced in your field, like researching a new way to treat a disease or testing a new way to help children learn, a fellowship could be beneficial to you.

How To Find and Apply for a Fellowship

When it comes to finding and applying for a fellowship, you can start your search in one of two ways:

Ask Your University: Set up a meeting with your advisor, use your college’s resource department, or check their website to see if there are any relevant fellowships that may be a good fit for you.
Use Online Platforms: There are plenty of websites that allow you to search using keywords like your major, career goal, or topic you hope to study. Try using platforms like ProFellow or Fellowship Finder to get started.

Once you know the fellowship(s) you’d like to apply for, you’ll need to make sure you read all of the requirements carefully and make a list of the deadlines. Some fellowships will require you to submit a personal statement, resume, letter of recommendation, and/or a project proposal.

Pros and Cons of Fellowships

While fellowship opportunities come with incredible benefits, they also come with a few challenges. If you are planning on pursuing this path, it’s important to understand both the advantages and setbacks.

Fellowship Pros

It is a rich, hands-on learning experience. With a fellowship, you will have access to advanced technology and tools that give new meaning to the phrase “learning by doing.” Whether your experience will be that of a lab assistant or will involve the creation of a project or product, the opportunities are often deeply rewarding.
It’s short-term work with long-term benefits. Whether the project you apply for lasts a few years or just a few months, you will reap the rewards of this experience throughout your career.
Get paid for doing what you love. There are unpaid and paid fellowship opportunities. While unpaid opportunities are often worth it for the experience, getting paid to do what you love can be a bonus. Paid fellowships cover the cost of things such as room or board, project materials, transportation costs, and food.

Fellowship Cons

Hard work is non-negotiable. These opportunities demand consistent hard work. If you’re not highly organized or self-motivated, a fellowship may not be the right fit.
Deadlines matter. Fellowships have strict guidelines and protocols, so if you are the kind of person who tends to procrastinate, this opportunity may not be for you.
Applying doesn’t guarantee selection. Fellowships are often highly competitive, with limited spots available. Sometimes, even after all your hard work, funding falls through or a donor shifts priorities, causing the opportunity to be delayed or canceled. It’s disappointing—but not uncommon—and not a reflection of your worth or effort.

Is Pursuing a Fellowship Right for You?

There are several factors to consider when making this important decision. When deciding whether or not to pursue a fellowship, ask yourself these questions:

Do I need the specialty training to practice my profession?
Will this opportunity help me in the profession I wish to pursue?
Do I have what it takes to pursue a fellowship?

If you answered yes to these questions, then there is a good chance that applying for a fellowship might be your next right step.

Fellowships aren’t the only way to fund your future. College Raptor’s Scholarship Search tool can help you find opportunities that fit your goals. Try it today for FREE!