Application Resources

Your first step is to complete the CESSI Application Form.  To complete this form you will need information such as your personal information (contact info, school or employer, etc.), which financial aid opportunities you are pursuing, and which language you are interested in studying.

• Before completing the form you may want to take the CESSI Funding Quiz and read more about CESSI Financial Aid options here so you know what financial aid opportunities are appropriate to you.
• If you are unsure which level of class (elementary, intermediate, or advanced) you are at, select the class you believe you will feel most comfortable studying during CESSI.  Students who have not studied the language formally in the past academic year or previous summer may be asked to briefly converse in the target language with an instructor to determine their level prior to enrolling.
• The priority application deadline for CESSI has passed.  However, applications will still be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis after the Feb. 1 priority deadline. Be sure to complete your application by that date to be considered for a Title VIII Fellowship. Applications for priority consideration for the CESSI Tuition Remission Scholarship were due February 1, 2024.

If you have questions about the application form or other materials please email us at cessi@creeca.wisc.edu.

Your second step is to pay the non-refundable $25 Application Fee.  The fee may be paid online here. The fee must be paid in order for your application to be considered complete. Please note: CESSI’s fee payment link is hosted by the Center for South Asian Studies on the Language Program Office website.

Our goal is to make CESSI as affordable as possible, if the Application Fee is a financial burden please contact us at cessi@creeca.wisc.edu to discuss your case.  

Your third step is to write or update your CV and/or resume.  Doing this before drafting any personal statements or statements of purpose will help refresh your memory and recall your accomplishments, experience, and qualifications.  It will help you pick out the most important information to share with CESSI and/or the funding organizations you are applying to.  It will also be handy to have your CV or resume ready as most funding applications will also require one or the other. 

• CESSI will accept either a CV or resume, so check which your funder requires and save yourself some time. 
• Be sure to differentiate your CV or resume for each application; highlight the most important experience and information for what that application concerns.  (For example, if your funder is more interested in the academic success of applicants list the education section of your CV or resume first.)
• Find more information on writing a CV or resume.

Next, you will want to begin your funding applications. You will want to begin this process now because many funding applications may have deadlines earlier than CESSI’s final deadline of April 1st.  Additionally, these applications often require Letters of Recommendation and it is good to give your recommenders as much time as possible to complete their letters.  Find more information on asking for Letters of Recommendation here.  Similarly, these applications may require official transcripts and you want to be sure there is enough time for your requests for official transcripts to be processed.

There are four main funding sources for CESSI Applicants:

• Title VIII Fellowship
• Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship
• WISLI Tuition Scholarship
• CESSI Tuition Remission 

Be sure to review these different funding options for CESSI students in more detail on our Costs and Funding page.  Here you will find information about eligibility, priorities, and deadlines for each funding award.  We highly encourage reviewing this information carefully before beginning your funding applications as it will guide you as you draft personal statements and other application materials.

Next, you will want to gather your transcripts.  CESSI accepts both official & unofficial transcripts, so choose which is more convenient for you.  Be aware that some universities will charge a fee for each official transcript. Check with your institution’s Registrar to be sure.  

• If you submit an unofficial transcript do not submit a screenshot. These are hard to read and often do not show all necessary info.   
• Submit transcripts from all higher education institutions you attended (undergraduate, graduate, and other special studies programs). If you need to submit transcripts from multiple institutions, try to do so all at once. This helps us avoid losing track of them. You may either attach them all in one email or combine them into one PDF.
• Please label your transcripts clearly. For example, it is helpful to use a file name similar to “LastName_ UndergradTranscript_InstitutionName”.
• Please let us know if your transcript may take longer than usual to be received.  For example, if you submitted official transcripts and there is some glitch in your home institution’s system let us know so your application is not considered overdue.
• Learn more about transcripts here.

Finally, it is time to write your CESSI Personal Statement. Your statement should 1-2 pages double spaced and explain how the acquisition of a Central Eurasian language will further your goals.  Consider these questions when planning your CESSI Personal Statement:

• Why do you want to attend CESSI?
• What is motivating you to attend this particular program and learn this specific language?
• How do your past experiences relate to CESSI? How will they help you during your time at CESSI?
• How will this program (and the knowledge and skills gained through it) be beneficial for you and your future goals and plans?

You do not have to address all these questions in your statement, they are simply meant to help you brainstorm.

Your CESSI Personal Statement should be different from the financial aid applications essays.  Each application is looking for different things in their applicants so you want to be sure to address those items specifically.  Read more about what we typically look for in a CESSI Applicant below and what financial aid program granters and selection committees look for to help you differentiate your statements.

You can also find more information about writing a personal statement here.

Finally, submit all your application materials to the secure CESSI box folder linked here.  This includes your CV​ or Resume, Transcripts​, and CESSI Personal Statement​.

There are two types of transcripts, official and unofficial:

Official transcripts are usually sent directly from one institution to another (from your undergraduate institution to the graduate school you are applying to, for example) and are sent with an official seal and/or signature from a registrar or as a secure PDF.  Depending on your institution, there may also be a fee for each requested official transcript.  There may also be a limit on the number of official transcripts you can request.  Be sure to check with each institution to see what their rules are, as each is different.

Unofficial transcripts are usually free for students and alumni to access but do not have any seals or signatures.

CESSI accepts both official and unofficial transcripts.

Some Do’s and Don’ts to follow when sending transcripts:

• DO send all your most recent transcripts.  Even if you were an undergrad years ago, most applications will still want to see all your higher education transcripts.
• DO send all your transcripts together, if possible, so they don’t get separated.  This may not be possible with official transcripts. However, if you are submitting unofficial transcripts it is often helpful to send them all in one email or as one combined PDF file.
• DON’T use a screenshot.  These are often blurry or hard to read and can cut off important information.  Similarly, DON’T use the ‘print as PDF’ function in your browser if you are viewing your transcript online. This often causes the print to be too small to read.
• DO contact institutions early, especially for official transcripts.  You want to make sure there is plenty of time for your request to be processed before the deadline.
• DO let the organization you are applying to know if there is a technical issue or it is taking longer than usual.  You do not want to be penalized in your application for a glitch outside of your control.

Here is some general guidance when deciding who to ask for a letter of recommendation when applying to a language program or funding:

1. Advisor or professor you have worked with closely​
2. Instructor of course relevant to application scope or language​
3. Recent language instructor (especially if language is the same or related to application language)​
4. Recent employer ​
5. Someone (not friends or family) who can attest that you have the qualities and experience which the opportunity requires​

Here is what reviewers generally look for in letters of recommendation. Consider these points when choosing who to ask for a letter of recommendation.  Who from the list above can write a letter covering these points?

• The recommender demonstrates familiarity with applicant​.
• The letter is knowledgeable and specific to individual.
• The letter confirms the applicant’s commitment to the field and subject​.
• The letter testifies to the applicant’s academic performance and potential​.
• The letter includes a character description​ of the applicant.

Finally, here are some request tips and etiquette to keep in mind when asking for a letter of recommendation:

• Ask early! Give your recommender 2-4 weeks’ advance notice​.
• Provide your recommender with your resume/CV and a draft statement of purpose or personal statement.
• Don’t be afraid to ask your recommender for multiple letters, especially if you are applying to more than one program or funding opportunity. It is often fairly easy for them to adjust a previous letter to a new opportunity.
• Clearly explain what you are applying for. Provide your recommender with a description of the program or scholarship and any information on what the review committee prioritizes.  
• Provide your recommender with a list of places you are applying to, deadlines, links.​  This will help them keep track of all details.

What is the difference between a CV and a Resume?

CVs are longer; they may be 3-8 pages​.  They are comprehensive​, that is they include all your experience and details. A CV presents your notable accomplishments & experience​.  It is often used in more academic settings and includes a list of publications or similar accomplishments.

​Resumes are shorter; they are usually just 1 page​. They are concise and direct​; you may have to cut some of your less relevant experiences or details about different items.  Use this short space to connect your skills and strengths to the opportunity​ at hand.

CESSI accepts both CVs and Resumes.

Here are some DOs and DON’Ts for writing and submitting CVs and Resumes:

• DO follow instructions.  Double check which the application calls for.  DON’T provide a résumé if CV is requested, and vice versa​.  If given a choice, find the option that best suits you​.  See above for some information on the differences between CVs and Resumes and which situations are better suited to each.
• DO edit and tailor to opportunity at hand​.  Always edit your CV or Resume to each application.  Keep in mind the program description, criteria​, etc. and make your CV or Resume stand out as being aligned to these criteria.

Here are some general expectations and tips for writing a CV or Resume:

• While it may be common to include a photo on your CV or Resume abroad, this is not common in the US and may present legal issues for the organization which receives your document.
• Include your name and contact info at the beginning of the document.  You may also wish to include your present position here.
• Split your document into categories to organize your experience and skills.  The following are some of the usual categories included, however you do not need to include all of these in your document (especially if you are writing a resume):
  • Objective – opportunities you are interested in, your career goals
  • Education – degrees (including those you are currently working on), certificates, any honors
  • Work Experience or Professional Experience – may be listed chronologically or in order of relevance, include a brief description or list of duties for each entry
  • Skills – examples include particular computer programs, customer service, cross cultural competency
  • Hobbies – especially if they are relevant to the application
  • Certifications or Trainings – remember to consider any trainings you may have completed for previous jobs
  • References – be sure your references are aware they are listed on your CV or resume and are ready to speak to your relevant skills and experience for each opportunity.

The personal statement or statement of purpose is one of the most important parts of an application, but don’t be intimidated by it. The statement is the part of your application where you can really show who you are and tell your story. Below are a few things to keep in mind as you write your personal statement.

• Look at the guidelines.  Do this before you even start writing or outlining your statement! Usually, applications will have a list of expectations for the personal statement. This could include rules such as length, questions that need to be answered, or academic or professional goals, to name a few. These may sound like recommendations on the organizations website, but follow them like rules.  This will show that you did your research and start your application off on a good note.
• After reviewing the guidelines check for other information regarding the opportunity.  This will help you think about why you want to study in this program, qualify for this funding award or other details.  A good place to look is at any alumni features or descriptions of the opportunity.  Think about what about the opportunity appeals to you and how it fits with your overall goals.  Incorporating these ideas in your personal statement will show that you have really though about this opportunity and are dedicated to it. Use these ideas to brainstorm and outline your statement.
• Edit your draft carefully to avoid any typos or grammar mistakes.  Ask someone to review it for you or read it out loud to double check.

If you’re not provided any sort of a guideline or prompt for your statement here a few common rules to stick to:

1. Write a statement between 1 and 2 pages
2. Talk about what you’re applying for. See the second note above for help connecting your story to the opportunity at hand.
3. Pick one of your experiences that demonstrates the values, experiences, and lessons that you want to discuss in your personal statement.  Connect it to the opportunity – how does this relate to the values or experiences the organization you are applying to prioritizes?
4. Outline your goals. Why will this opportunity help with your academic or professional goals? You don’t need to have all the details now, but show the reviewers that you have thought about how this opportunity fits in with your overall goals.

Reviewers want to see who you are. Successful personal statements do just that; so most importantly be yourself!