Eligibility Questions
No. The Clarke DS Fellowship program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and is open to U.S. citizens only. If you become a U.S. citizen, then you will be eligible to apply for the Clarke DS Fellowship program. You must submit documentation of your U.S. citizenship by the application deadline.
Yes. The State Department requires that you be at least 21 years old to be appointed as a DSS Special Agent and you must be appointed prior to the month that you reach 37 years of age (except for preference-eligible veterans). Because the Clarke DS Fellowship is a two-year program, you must be at least 19 years old and no older than 32 years old to be eligible to apply for the fellowship. If you are a Veteran, please see the next FAQ for the documentation you must submit.
Applicants older than 32 (as of the application deadline date) claiming Veteran’s Preference must submit documentation. If claiming a 5 pt. Veteran’s Preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 service 2 or member 4 copy. If claiming a 10 pt. Veteran’s Preference, you must submit your VA letter and SF-15, in addition to your DD-214. Disabled veterans should never send the document that lists their disability, only the one-page document that contains the rating. You’ll submit your documentation by uploading it in the application portal as a .pdf document.
No. You must have at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA, which includes all courses taken at all institutions you attended at a college/university level.
No. The security, medical, and suitability clearance processes and investigations do not begin until a person is selecting for the fellowship.
Full-time bachelor’s or master’s degree programs at an accredited U.S. institution, in a discipline relevant to Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) skill needs, are desirable. DSS Special Agents use a wide variety of skill sets to protect diplomacy. You will be asked in the application how your degree program supports the needs of the Diplomatic Security Service.
If you are a community college student, you must be seeking admission to enter a full-time, bachelor’s degree program in fall 2027 and on a timeline to graduate in spring 2029. If you are a four-year college or university student (or graduate), you must be on a timeline to graduate with your bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in spring 2029 after completing four full-time semesters as a Clarke DS Fellow starting in fall 2027.
No. Based on graduate school deadlines, most applicants will not yet know where they will be attending graduate school before submitting their Clarke DS Fellowship application. You should list all the schools and master’s programs that you plan to apply to, and keep in mind that they should be two-year programs that require four semesters (fall and spring only) of full-time coursework. You should make sure that the degree program does not require summer courses.
No. DSS Special Agents have a wide variety of backgrounds and degrees. DSS Special Agents use a wide variety of skill sets to protect diplomacy. Most importantly, you must have a strong desire to become a federal law enforcement officer in the Foreign Service, leading and managing U.S. security programs and available for assignment anywhere in the world.
Yes, as long as you meet all of the eligibility requirements. We encourage you to provide a compelling reason why you are seeking another master’s degree.
Yes. Students enrolled in an accelerated bachelor’s/master’s degree program must be on a timeline to graduate in ring 2029 after completing four full-time semesters starting in fall 2027.
Yes, with the caveat that you still must meet all of your commitments to the Clarke DS Fellowship. In addition to the meeting the academic requirements, you will also be required to take the full-time summer practicums. These are in-person, 10-week full-time practicums (one in Washington, D.C. and one at an embassy or consulate overseas). During these practicums, you will not be able to work another job.
Application Questions
You can check the status of your application, including uploaded materials, in your online application. You will also be able to check whether we have received your letters of recommendation. You may e-mail ClarkeDSFellowship@twc.edu if you have any questions.
You must submit your application online through the application website, which you can access from the Fellowship page here.
You must submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities from which you obtained credits for two semesters or more. You do not need to send transcripts for courses taken in high school, including dual enrollment and AP classes, for which you received college credit.
Let us know and we’ll reach out to them to ensure they get the email notification. Please email us at ClarkeDSFellowship@twc.edu.
What do I list under “Intended Graduate Programs” if I haven’t applied to any graduate programs yet?
You should list the graduate programs where you intend to apply, along with the deadline dates of those applications.
If you are unable to provide a letter from an academic professional, choose someone who is familiar with your academics, professional work, or volunteer/community activities. Your recommender should be someone who can explain why you are uniquely qualified for the Clarke DS Fellowship.
Yes. All applicants must provide their FAFSA Submission Summary for the current academic year. If you have not completed the FAFSA for the current academic year, you must do so in order to generate the FAFSA Submission Summary. We recommend that you complete the FAFSA at least one week before the application deadline for the Clarke DS Fellowship.
Selection Process Questions
Individuals selected as finalists will be invited to participate in a final round, which includes an interview with three selection panel members and a 60-minute timed essay writing exercise.
No, but if you are selected as a Clarke DS Fellow or an Alternative, you will take the baseline Physical Readiness Test (PRT). While you are not required to pass it, your PRT score will give you a baseline of your current physical readiness – knowledge that you can use to be better prepared to pass the pre-employment PRT. Remember that you will be required to pass the PRT before you graduate. If you do not pass the PRT before you graduate, you will be disqualified from the program.
There are 33 possible locations across the United States and Puerto Rico. The Clarke DS Fellowship team will help selected fellows and alternates determine the location closest for them and assist in scheduling the PRT. Travel costs associated with the PRT will be reimbursed. If you're selected while abroad, the Clarke DS Fellowship team will work with the local Embassy or Consulate to see if they are able to administer the PRT. Please allow the staff to take the lead on setting this up for you and then passing along the details; do not attempt to contact the Embassy or Consulate on your own. Please refer to additional information regarding the PRT here.
After you complete the final selection process, all finalists will be notified via email of the final selection decisions. The State Department will select 10 Clarke DS Fellows. You may also be selected as an alternate. If selected fellow does not accept the fellowship offer or if a fellow does not uphold the requirements, you may be offered the fellowship.