The Manjie Sikdar Scholarship Application 2021-2022

***PLEASE NOTE:  THIS APPLICATION IS FROM 2021-2022 AND IS CURRENTLY CLOSED. 
VISIT CHICAGOSCHOLARS.ORG/SCHOLARSHIPS/ FOR ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS INFORMATION AND UPDATED APPLICATION LINKS.***

In Memory of Manjie Sikdar
Born January 24, 1981 in Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, New York
Died December 15, 1984 in Salt Lake City Children's Hospital

Manjie Sikdar was the first daughter of Subhas and Ruma Sikdar.  Born with Down Syndrome and three holes in her heart, she barely had a chance at life.  Despite the love and dedication to recovery her family provided, she died just before her 4th birthday.

She is survived by her loving parents and two younger siblings.  Ronjan and Reena Sikdar have felt Manjie's presence throughout their lives, despite having virtually no memory of her.  Manjie's life may have been cut tragically short, but we are hopeful that her love and dedication can help others flourish.  By creating this scholarship, we hope to bring opportunity to an individual who exhibits the ideals that Manjie's family has always believed in:  hard work, passion, and commitment.

The Scholarship
The Manjie Sikdar Scholarship is a family-funded scholarship that will provide $2,000 a year for up to four years of college ($8,000 total) to one winner attending any public or private four-year university.  This money is to be put toward educational expenses.

For more information, please visit:
www.manjie.org
The Application Process
ELIGIBILITY and REQUIREMENTS
  • Participant in the Chicago Scholars program
  • Graduating high school senior
  • Seeking a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. four-year college or university on a full-time basis
  • GPA of 2.5 or higher
    • Commitment and effort in education are incredibly important to future success.  The Manjie Sikdar Scholarship requires that all applicants have a 2.5 or higher unweighted GPA.  If you have earned a 3.0+ for the past two semesters but do not have a cumulative 2.5 GPA, you may still be considered.
  • Commitment to performing arts
    • The founders of The Manjie Sikdar Scholarship have each been engaged in performance from a young age, and are looking for a candidate with similar interests.  The Scholarship requires that all applicants demonstrate commitment to some aspect of the performing arts.
  • Continued engagement
    • The scholarship is family-run, and the founders have a great interest in ensuring that they can help the recipient throughout the course of their college career and beyond.  Therefore, the recipient is required to complete at least two check-in calls a year with a Chicago Scholars staff member throughout college, and to stay engaged with both Chicago Scholars and the Sikdar family, as appropriate.

AWARD
  • $2,000/year for 4 years

APPLICATION PROCESS

Step 1:  Complete the CS Scholarship Pre-Application by March 1, 2022.  The pre-application only needs to be completed once and can apply to multiple CS scholarships.

Step 2:  Complete this application by March 1, 2022 including:  
  • Two essays in response to the prompts included in the application
  • One letter of recommendation from the student's counselor, principal, teacher, mentor, or current employer who can speak to the student's character, either inside or outside of the classroom
  • Audition material or sample of performing arts talent
    • Because we emphasize a love for the performing arts, the Manjie Sikdar Scholarship Committee requests a sample of your talent.  This does not need to be done specifically for the scholarship - a previously taped performance, a recorded vocal, a YouTube video, a rehearsal mp3 - anything is acceptable.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

Applicants may be contacted after submitting scholarship application to arrange for a virtual interview.


SELECTION

Applicants will be notified of their status by April 20, 2022, with a request for an interview if accepted into the second round.  The student selected for the scholarship will be notified by April 30, 2022.  

Before you begin the application:

 

Please ensure that you have the necessary materials available to you and ready to upload.  You will NOT be able to save and resume your work on the application, so you will need to submit in one sitting.


Remember, Chicago Scholars is here for you!  If you have any questions regarding the scholarship application process or need assistance along the way, please contact us at: scholarships@chicagoscholars.org.

 

General Background Information







The CS Scholarship Pre-Application only needs to be completed once and can apply to multiple CS scholarships.
Academics and Performing Arts
Academics

If you feel this information has been captured in the activity list or resume uploaded with your CS Scholarships Pre-Application, please write "See Pre-Application" in the space above.

Performing Arts
Because we emphasize a love for the performing arts, the Manjie Sikdar Scholarship Committee requests a sample of your talent.  This does not need to be done specifically for the scholarship - a previously taped performance, a recorded vocal, a YouTube video, a rehearsal mp3 - anything is acceptable.

Please share your performing art example below.  If possible, please upload your performing arts video externally and share link in the space below.  If unable to do so, please submit material electronically to scholarships@chicagoscholars.org with the subject line:  "Sikdar scholarship performing arts sample--[applicant name]"

Share link to performance here. If unable to do so, please write "sent via email" and follow email instructions above.
Student Essays

Please submit written responses to each of topics below.  The topic should be clearly written before each response.  Respond to each separately.
  1. The Manjie Sikdar Scholarship requires that every applicant have a background in performing arts.  In no more than two pages double-spaced, please explain what the performing arts have meant to your life.
  2. In 250 words or less, please discuss a moment in your life that shaped you into the person you are today.

Only Word or PDF documents will be accepted.

Only Word or PDF documents will be accepted.
Letter of Recommendation
  • Letter of recommendation can come from a counselor, principal, teacher, mentor, or employer who can speak to your character, either inside or outside of the classroom.  
  • If your recommender would feel more comfortable emailing their letter directly to Chicago Scholars, they may email it to scholarships@chicagoscholars.org with the subject line:  "Sikdar Scholarship recommendation--[applicant name]."  In this case, the applicant must upload a document in the space below stating:  "My letter of recommendation is being emailed to CS Scholarships from [recommender name], who can be reached at [recommender email]."

Signature Page



The CS Scholarship Pre-Application only needs to be completed once and can apply to multiple CS scholarships.



Contact Information