David Shin, who graduated from Boise State this spring with a degree in economics, has been named a Schwarzman Scholar for the class of 2023. Shin is the first Boise State student to win this scholarship since its inception in 2015.
Schwarzman Scholars is a program that provides financial support to scholars from around the world to engage in a one-year master’s in global affairs at Beijing’s Tsinghua University, which is ranked first in Asia by U.S. News. It draws its scholars from universities internationally, including Harvard University, Seoul National University and the University of Oxford. The program accepted 151 scholars out of nearly 3,000 applicants this year. This places its acceptance rate on par with other prestigious programs like the Marshall and Rhodes scholarships.
“When I got the confirmation call from the admissions team at Schwarzman, my thoughts immediately went to the scholars I met during the interviews and I felt pure excitement,” Shin said. “We had started debating all sorts of new initiatives and policies from the moment we came together. I can’t wait to continue those discussions in China.”
Past Schwarzman Scholars have gone on to start their own small businesses, work for organizations like the Chinese Basketball Association, and even run for political office. As for Shin, his plans are still developing. “Law school is next, with the eventual goal of crafting public policy in some way. Knowing myself though, even the most concrete of plans seem to waver every six months, so ask me again next year!”
This isn’t the first time that Shin has received a competitive award. He was one of two Boise State Truman Scholars in 2020.
Shin attributes his success to the academic environment here at Boise State. “The economics department has cultivated a faculty that, above all else, values intellectual curiosity.”
He remembers the spirited conversations he had with all of his professors, but one in particular stands out in his memory. “Professor [Allen] Dalton has been a particularly special influence and mentor that has been with me since the beginning of my college journey. All aspiring students need strong support to achieve special things and I’m extremely lucky I found that with Professor Dalton.”
“David was an engaged and inquisitive student, who wasn’t satisfied with just knowing the class material, but always wanted to extend and deepen his understanding,” Dalton said. “He’s a teacher’s dream and it’s been a pleasure to submit recommendations for scholarships, law school and internships on his behalf.”
This is the latest of many prestigious scholarships awarded to Boise State students this year, including the Fulbright and Truman Scholarships and the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals. For more information on applying to Schwarzman Scholars and other fellowships, check out the Honors College Fellowships Advising Office.