The Manjie Sikdar Scholarship Application 2023-2024

***PLEASE NOTE: THIS APPLICATION IS NOW 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 3, 2024. The pre-application only needs to be completed once and can apply to multiple CS scholarships.

Step 2: Complete this application by March 3, 2024 (11:59pm) 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, 2024, with a request for an interview if accepted into the second round. The student selected for the scholarship will be notified by April 30, 2024.

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

First Name:

Last Name:

Preferred Name:

Preferred Email Address:

Phone Number:

I have completed the CS Scholarship Pre-Application, which is a required component of the Manjie Sikdar scholarship application.

YesNot yet, but planning to do so by March 3, 2024The CS Scholarship Pre-Application only needs to be completed once and can apply to multiple CS scholarships.

Academics and Performing Arts

Academics

Please list or briefly describe ways in which you have demonstrated academic achievement (e.g. honorable mentions, awards, organizational membership, competition participation, etc.).

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]"

Audition Material / Sample of your Performing Art

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.

1. The Manjie Sikdar Scholarship requires that every applicant have a background in performing arts. In no more than 650 words, 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.

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]."

Letter of Recommendation

Signature Page

I have confirmed that all my information is correct, and I am ready to submit my application for the Manjie Sikdar Scholarship.

YesNo

I understand that completion of this application form is only one part of my scholarship application. My Manjie Sikdar Scholarship application will only be considered complete when I have also submitted the CS Scholarship Pre-Application.

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

I understand that, during the application review period, the CS Scholarships Team may request additional information (such as recent financial aid award letters, updated information regarding other scholarships received, college admissions updates, etc.).

YesNo

I certify that this application and all attachments are complete and true. I hereby authorize Chicago Scholars to furnish copies of my academic record, this application, and letters of recommendation to the Scholarship Committee and the scholarship donor for review. I authorize my college or university and/or Chicago Scholars to furnish information on academic progress to the scholarship donor. If selected, I further authorize release of information for publicity purposes.

YesNo

My full legal name is:

Date