Fellows in Latin American Studies (FILAS)

With its large Latin American population and diverse Latin American connections, Miami provides the ideal setting for Latin American Studies. Students will gain advanced competence in at least one major language of Latin America, intern for one semester in public or private organizations dealing with Latin America and take advanced seminars with UM’s major Latin American scholars and visiting scholars.

In addition, students will receive first-hand experience in their regions of focus by studying abroad. Most study abroad opportunities are for a duration of six months.

To apply, students must:

• have an SAT1 composite score of 1420 or an ACT score of 31 (students applying from abroad must meet an equivalent standard as determined by the Office of Undergraduate Admission) and an unweighted GPA of 3.75
• be in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class
• submit three letters of recommendation from high school teachers
• show clear evidence of commitment to studying Latin America through prior language or area study and a statement of interest.

FILAS students receive the following:

• Personalized advising for course-selection and research interests
• Support for identifying appropriate study abroad and internship opportunities
• The chance to compete for financial assistance for study abroad and research projects
• Invitations to regular dinner seminars and special on-campus events related to LAS
• Two Spring Break learning trips during five years at UM. These 10-day adventures introduce students to a major research theme/project in Latin American Studies.
  • Example:Under the leadership of a UM professor, students can spend Spring Break touring Cuba in the footsteps of early explorers and travelers, carrying out archaeological excavation in Puerto Rico, working with indigenous peoples in Panama, or learning about coastal policy and management in Chile.
• The chance to compete for up to two summers of research credits (with a $1,200 stipend per summer). Under the supervision of a UM professor, students study key issues such as language change and cross-cultural encounters, business cultures, civic participation, and education in Miami’s immigrant communities.
• Pre-acceptance into the Master’s level portion of the program and take the GRE. (*To continue through the Master’s level of the five-year program, students must maintain at least a 3.4 GPA at the University of Miami.)

For more information about the FILAS program, contact:

Dr. William J. Pestle
Director, Latin American Studies Program
University of Miami
Merrick Hall 214EC
Coral Gables, FL 33124
305-284-3761
as.miami.edu/las