Cara Pickett Office of Nationally Competitive Awards PERMISSION TO DREAM BIG: Fellowship Applications as Alternative Path to Career Success Cara Pickett Office of Nationally Competitive Awards

Session Outcomes Gain understanding of fellowships and the application process Learn how applying fosters personal and professional growth Develop advising strategies to encourage students to consider fellowships

Career Planning Concerns What jobs exist for someone with my credentials? What other credentials do I need (grad school, license, etc.)? What careers are most lucrative? How do I apply (resume, cover letter, interview prep, etc.)? What can I do to boost my competitiveness? How can I develop networks in my desired industry?

What are Fellowships? Competitive, merit-based awards that: Fund something cool Promote or support specialized missions or activities Bestow prestige and recognition Provide applicants with transformative experience Funding for: Professional development Research Graduate/professional education International travel/language study

Endorsed Fellowships

UC SUccesses Truman Scholarship Schwarzman Scholarship Fulbright Winners Goldwater Scholarship Rhodes Finalist NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

What makes a good applicant? Academic excellence* Intellectual accomplishments outside of the classroom Demonstrated leadership ability (“change agent”) Civic commitment/other-oriented Global citizenship Visionary/goal-oriented “Passionate” and focused

Regarding gpa: GPA requirements vary by award Minimum required GPA vs competitive GPA In Catalyst, 3.5 = NCA-associated Advisor (Cara Pickett) NCA Positive Service Indicator

Fellowships Should match the student Goals Skills Qualifications Values Tendencies Ideal Award

Progression of a FEllowship applicaNt Ideation Exploration Preparation Application Celebration

Does applying limit students’ options? Short answer: no. Through the application process, students: Discover new pathways Improve career readiness Prepare for graduate school or job applications Might win recognition or funding/opportunities

Why apply? Or: It’s not a waste of time “Even though I was not selected, on the bright side, all the preparation I did throughout the summer has been helping me greatly in the process of applying to graduate schools now.” ~Fulbright applicant

Typical application components Personal Statement Additional essays specific to award Letters of Recommendation (3-8) Resume/CV (or equivalent) Transcripts Interview

What do student Gain by applying? Clarify personal and professional goals (visionary thinking) Articulate interests, qualifications, and accomplishments Career planning and research Improve written and verbal self-presentation Networking and connections Confidence to pursue unconventional paths

What do student get out of applying? “Enjoy the Application Process As you work on your application, please think of it as an opportunity for structured reflection. We’ve designed the Knight-Hennessy Scholars application in hopes that you will learn about yourself as you prepare it. Regardless of whether or not you submit your application, our goals is that you will look back on the process and feel the experience was helpful for you as a self-assessment in preparation for your future.”

Application close-up: Knight Hennessy Scholars “The goal…is to require you to engage in disciplined reflection to tell a story that only you can tell.” Connect the dots. How have the influences in your life shaped you? Describe three different paths for your career and life. To prepare for them, what do you need to learn at Stanford as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar? Tell us 8 improbable facts about you. Tell us about: something for which you are grateful/your Crazy Idea/your most meaningful commitment.

Application close-up: Truman Scholarship “An effective [application] reveals clearly and memorably…your achievements, your passions, your motivations for public service, and your potential as a ‘change agent’.” Describe one specific example of your leadership. Describe a recent particularly satisfying public service activity. Describe the problem or needs of society you want to address when you enter public service. Describe the graduate education program you intend to pursue. What do you hope to do and what position do you hope to have upon completing your graduate studies? What do you hope to do and what position do you hope to have 5-7 years later? What additional personal information do you wish to share?

Application close-up: Truman Scholarship Sample Responses What is effective/ineffective about these responses? In preparing these responses, what skills are applicants developing and how are they improving their career-readiness?

Discussion: Advising students to consider fellowship applications “I am always surprised that more people do not apply for long-term expense-paid travel programs like the Fulbright ETA…I wouldn't have known about the scholarship if it weren't for an advisor mentioning it by chance when I was meeting about my medical school application.”

Discussion: Advising students to consider fellowship applications What challenges do advisors face in getting students to consider applying for fellowships? What advising strategies might help students better prepare to apply for fellowships?

Discussion: Advising students to consider fellowship applications Identify and pursue passions Get involved in campus and community activities Learn how to express an opinion and how to listen Pursue extra-curricular and summer activities that develop skills, talents, and interests Cultivate professional relationships with faculty members who can provide mentorship Explore possibilities for study abroad, language study Take challenging courses in major Seek out opportunities to lead Begin planning for future