Welcome

Taking the First Steps on Your Journey as a Mitchell Scholar

Congratulations on being named a Mitchell Scholar! You are now part of a welcoming and supportive community of more than 4,000 Mitchell Scholars, and we at the Mitchell Institute cannot wait to connect you with each other, the staff, and the broad range of free programs and events that we offer year round.

To get you launched, please see the information below about the first steps on your journey as a Mitchell Scholar.

First Steps

You should have received your Terms of Award in your email (If you did not, please reach out to us at info@mitchellinstitute.org). You must sign this to receive the scholarship, so please make sure to return this with your e-signature by July 1, 2025.

Join us on Saturday, August 2nd at UMaine–Orono for our Welcome Celebration for all incoming Mitchell Scholars! This is a highly recommended event to welcome all our new Scholars (along with up to two guests). You’ll get a chance to meet fellow Scholars, our full Mitchell Institute team, and representatives from many of your colleges. We will share what it means to be a Mitchell Scholar, and all the (life-long!) resources you now have access to — whether that’s emergency funding, the Fellowship program, the vast Alumni network, or checking in with a staff member to answer your questions and prepare for life in college. If you want to see what last year’s Welcome Celebration was like, please check out this picture story.

Our Mitchell Institute staff and Alumni have written a guidebook to help you in the transition to college. We encourage you to explore the guidebook for pro tips on how to navigate the road ahead, as well as how to build community, find resources on your campus, and pick the right-fit major. Explore the Off to College Guidebook.

Next Steps

Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook, where we regularly post updates, event invitations, and news from the Institute. And, join the private LinkedIn group for Mitchell Scholars and Alumni to connect on job and internship opportunities (and if you need help setting up a LinkedIn, feel free to reach out!).

We’re here to help answer your questions, talk about what’s ahead, and be an ongoing resource throughout college. Unsure about your college choice, major, how to set up a summer internship, or if you can study abroad? Just want to catch up? Have a question about how to access resources on your campus? Want to connect with a fellow Scholar or Alumni in your field of interest? We can help with all of that! You can find time to connect with us here.

FAQs

Can I bring a guest to the Welcome Celebration?
Yes! You can bring up to two guests. They can be parents, guardians, or anyone else who would want to learn more about this honor and support you for your next chapter.

What should I wear or bring to the Welcome Celebration?
All Scholars will have the opportunity to have a professional headshot taken at the event, so we recommend attire on the dressier side. Generally, the clothing you wore for graduation is appropriate (things like a dressy shirt and pants/skirt, dress, an abaya, suit, etc). Please don’t feel like you have to buy anything specifically for this event.

What’s the schedule?
Registration begins at 10:30 AM. The event will begin promptly at 11:00 AM and will finish around 1:00 PM. We will be serving a brunch buffet at approximately 11:30 AM. Dietary accommodations shared on the event registration form have been passed along to the catering team. All food will be labeled, but don’t hesitate to ask event staff if you have questions.

Can you help with transportation costs to get to the Welcome Celebration?
Yes! We can provide gas cards to help cover costs, so please reach out (info@mitchellinstitute.org) to let us know if this would be helpful.

When (and how) will I receive the scholarship?
In December, we will verify your enrollment (at least half/part-time or higher) at your institution. Then, in mid-January, we will mail your check to your college who will apply it to your second semester bill. You don’t need to send us a transcript, or maintain a particular GPA, to receive the scholarship. If you have any questions about this timeline, please reach out to us at info@mitchellinstitute.org.

What happens if I transfer to a different college, or take a personal or medical leave?
Your scholarship follows you, meaning we will send the scholarship wherever you attend college. Make sure to keep us posted if you decide to transfer. And, if you take a leave of absence, just let us know. We can pause your scholarship until you return to campus. You’re eligible to use the funds for up to six years.

Save the Dates

As a Mitchell Scholar, you’ll be invited to lots of year-round, free events. We have two major events in the fall, which you’ll be invited to every year you’re in college.

The annual Gala is the Mitchell Institute’s main fundraising dinner event that’s held at Brick South, Thompson’s Point in Portland. Every year, we invite Maine businesses and organizations to sponsor tables and various aspects of the event (sponsorships that can total more than $350,000, which directly fund Mitchell Scholar programs and resources!).

We typically have around 600 people attend the event, many of them Maine business leaders and their guests, and we always invite Mitchell Scholars. We aim to have two Mitchell Scholars at every dinner table to share their experiences and build their networks. See what last year’s Gala was like.

Designed for Mitchell Scholars who are currently enrolled as undergraduates, the Mitchell Institute Leadership Experience (MILE) I weekend is held in early October at the New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket. Participating Mitchell Scholars develop leadership and relationship-building skills while whitewater rafting the Penobscot, hiking to the summit of Mount Katahdin, completing a community service project within Baxter State Park, and making friendships that will last a lifetime. See what last year’s MILE I weekend was like.

If you have questions that aren’t answered here, please be in touch with us at info@mitchellinstitute.org or call (207) 773-7700.