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I had such a great conversation with a prospective @RangelProgram fellowship applicant today so I’d like to share some of the highlights with y’all!
These are not all specific to the Rangel fellowship but were discussed within that context.
1) apply because Rangels are family! I say that so seriously. Every fellow I’ve met has said the same thing to me “Rangels are family” so you wouldn’t JUST be joining a prestigious fellowship, you’d be gaining a family 
2) don’t count yourself out! Yes you might *feel* like other applicants are “more qualified” than you, but if you both meet the application requirements then it sounds like you’re qualified. Do your best, you’ll be surprised how much your best can get you.
3) tell the story you want to tell, not the one you THINK they want to hear. This doesn’t mean don’t answer the question, it means do it in a way authentic to you! You’ll tell your own story better than any other story you could think to tell. Honor yourself!
4) present yourself authentically! Giving yourself the best shot at success means presenting yourself as yourself. Be professional, of course, but don’t pretend to be someone you’re not.
5) Commit. Think about it in depth. This is not something you should take lightly, it should be something you do because you want it! That doesn’t mean put all your eggs in one basket, but give it some thought!
Then I was asked WHY I love the Rangel fellowship? That’s easy....
Aside from us being family, we are FRIENDS! I have met some of my closest friends in the Rangel fellowship.
I always have people I can seek advice from. Whether it’s other fellows from my cohort, other cohorts, or the AMAZING Rangel Program staff, you always have someone to reach out to.
You never have to travel or adventure alone! Yes, we’re friends - we go on trips. Last summer I got two of my fellow Rangels to go to El Salvador with me even though they didn’t speak any Spanish and we had an amazing time!
More travel opportunities! Eventually you all end up in different countries, and you can always go visit each other! (I mean if you’re friends, which you will be!)
Academic opportunity! I would have never been able to go to @GeorgetownCSS without the Rangel fellowship. I am eternally grateful for that opportunity, which provided so much growth and allowed me to explore my academic interests.
Professional development! Through two summer internships the Rangel Fellowship helps to prepare you professionally by exposing you to different environments (and you’ve always got someone to seek guidance from, even then!)
Networking! Yes, networking within the state department and the government more generally but ALSO the opportunity to connect with potential applicants, to speak about this amazing program, and to see the family grow every year (by 45 this year alone!!!!)
All this to say, if you want a career in the foreign service, check out the Rangel Fellowship! Applications are open now at http://Rangelprogram.org and if you have questions, my DMs are open or you can @ me here :)
