National Scholarships Presented by the Office of Honors Programs & Academic Scholarships, Texas A&M University Pathways to the Public Good

What is a National Scholarship? A national or international competition Very prestigious The $$ is not the major benefit Lifetime recognition & connections Offers an incredible experience

Commonalities of National Scholarships Highly competitive (~5% selected) Application process is a serious time commitment (100+ hours) Are a life-changing, career-making event

Why Compete? Learn about yourself Formulate your personal vision Become a better leader Sometimes we win…

Recent TAMU Successes Since 1991: 34 Goldwater Scholars Since 1998: 5 Marshall Scholars Since 1997: 14 Truman Finalists Since 1998: 6 Udall Scholars

National Scholarships Coordinator Publicizes scholarship opportunities Coordinates application process Advises preparation of applications Provides instruction in interview strategy Organizes selection committees Coaches, challenges, pushes Mentor, therapist, and scapegoat

Application Processes Direct application Institutional Endorsement

Direct Application Most national scholarships Student may apply directly Notify NSC University support to expect: – help with written applications – interview preparation (if applicable)

Institutional Endorsement Few national scholarships (most prestigious) Internal preliminary application process Limited nominations Complete oversight through process University recognition

DIRECT –NSF Graduate Fellowship –Gates-Cambridge –James Madison –Soros Fellowship for New Americans INSTITUTIONAL –Rhodes & Marshall –Fulbright –Goldwater –Truman –Jack Kent Cooke –NSEP Examples

Institutional Process 1. Attend workshop & review official guidelines 2. Prepare preliminary application 3. Submit preliminary application (TAMU deadline usually 3 to 7 months in advance of official deadline) 4. Attend selection interview (if applicable) 5. University nominations announced (not official until final applications submitted)

Institutional Process Measured progress –submit drafts of written application –attend mock-interviews as scheduled Responsibility – institutional nominations are limited – applicant is a representative of TAMU

Am I the Ideal Applicant? No such thing Scholarships value different traits Not just about grades Don’t ask: “Am I the Ideal Candidate?” Do ask: “What is MY Ideal Scholarship?”

The Ideal Scholarship Represents your values Reinforces your existing plans Helps you achieve your goals Encourages future achievement Rewards your natural behavior

Getting Serious Grades … –do matter, but not decisive –don’t shoot for low-end eligibility strong candidates generally sit at the top end of a large grade scale (3.7+) A strong GPR is just the beginning…

Getting Serious Strive for a balance of academic, social, athletic, and other co-curricular activities Strong National Scholarship candidates are competitive applicants for graduate or professional school

Undergraduate Research Consider regardless of major Develop relationships with faculty –Honors classes & Honors Course Contracts Register for independent study – usually 485-, 285-, 497- listings Seek research programs –University Undergraduate Research Fellows –Undergraduate Research Scholars –Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Visit – Office of Undergraduate Researchhttp://ugr.tamu.edu

Community & Public Service Don’t overextend yourself Choose your service projects carefully – where possible, link to future career Choose long-term over short-term – 1 to 2 service activities over three years is preferable to 10 different 1-day community projects Commitment is critical Don’t be afraid to serve beyond the campus community

Community & Public Service Think on a national or international level Be creative (literally)

Internships & Work Experience Be strategic –choose positions related to your long-term career or education goals Consider a variety of options Research opportunities early –Public Policy Internship Program –Office of Undergraduate Research –TAMU Career Center

Leadership Scholarship foundations want leaders Leadership should be visionary Don’t overextend yourself Reconsider “leadership” Don’t be a PLACE HOLDER! – be dissatisfied with the status quo – be creative – find your niche and aim high – be an agent of change

International Awareness Seize opportunities for study abroad – TAMU Study Abroad Office Engage in language study –Language Learning Institute Seek applicable scholarships – Rotary Ambassadorial – NSEP Undergraduate Study Abroad – Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant – TAMU Study Abroad Scholarships –Honors Study Abroad Stipend

Intangibles Cultural Sophistication An Interdisciplinary Mindset An Entrepreneur’s Approach to Life Intellectual Curiosity High Esteem for Scholarship Altruism

Undergraduate Applied Science and Engineering Scholarships

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships Up to $7500 for jr. & sr. years GPA of at least 3.5 Major will lead to graduate study in math, natural sciences, or engineering Helpful to have done research or to have ideas that will lead to research Campus Deadline ~ Early October

Morris K. Udall Up to $5000 for jr. & sr. years Demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment Native Americans committed to tribal public policy or health care Wide range of fields Campus Deadline ~ Early January

US DOE Biological and Environmental Research Global Change Education Program Undergraduate and graduate training in global change research activities Continued support for sophomores through post-doc

NOAA Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program Provides $8,000 for junior and senior years 10-week paid internship Apply as sophomore Note - not in handout

US DHS Undergraduate Scholarships and Graduate Fellowships Students pursuing basic science and technology innovations relevant to DHS mission Physical, mathematical, computer and information, life, and social sciences, psychology, selected humanities, and engineering

Microsoft Scholarships To encourage students to pursue careers in computer software and related technical disciplines Four types of scholarships –General Scholarship –Women’s Scholarship –Underrepresented Minority Scholarship –Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

Graduate Applied Science and Engineering Scholarships

Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Fellowships Cost-of-education allowance and personal stipend ($25K) Seniors applying to graduate school Attention given to “areas of interest” Willing to “morally commit to make their skills available to the United States in time of national emergency”

National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowships Support of ~8000 graduate students Fields relevant to national defense needs Portable fellowships

Higher Education Programs NASA Earth System Science Fellowship Program –Graduate fellowship for MS or PhD in Earth System Science –To ensure training of interdisciplinary scientists

Lucent Technologies-Bell Laboratories Graduate Research Fellowships To increase the numbers of minorities and women in science, math, engineering, and technology Fellowship and development experience on-site at Lucent Technologies Bell Labs

National Physical Science Consortium Graduate Fellowships Ph.D.-track fellowship in physical sciences and related engineering fields Emphasis on recruitment of underrepresented minorities and women Max duration of 6 years; total stipend could exceed $200,000

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships Offers recognition and support for three years of graduate study Approximately 1,000 awarded annually Open to mathematical, physical, biological, engineering, behavioral, and social sciences, and to research-based PhD degrees in science education.

Graduate Education for Minorities (GEM) Fellowship Program Underrepresented minorities MS or PhD in engineering, physical science, or natural science Paid summer internships and graduate financial assistance

Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship Provides financial support for women pursuing Ph.D/doctoral degrees in aerospace-related sciences and aerospace-related engineering $6000

Open-field Scholarships

Josephine de Káráman Fellowships One-year award for seniors ($8,000) or PhD candidates ($16,000). Manifested exceptional ability and seriousness of purpose

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate awards up to $50,000 Focused on outstanding students with unmet financial need

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans Maintenance grant of $20,000 Tuition grant of ½ of tuition cost Applicants must be resident alien, naturalized citizen, or child of two naturalized citizens

Harry S. Truman Scholarship For graduate study leading to a career in public service Includes numerous leadership seminars Requires institutional nomination Apply in junior year

Mitchell Scholarship Graduate study in Ireland or Northern Ireland Pays all tuition, fees, and travel Requires institutional nomination

Marshall Scholarship For graduate study in the UK Pays all tuition, fees, travel Open to any field Requires institutional nomination

Rhodes Scholarship Post-graduate study at Oxford University Pays all tuition, fees, and travel Requires institutional nomination

Gates-Cambridge Scholarship Graduate study at Cambridge University Pays all tuition, fees, and travel Does not require institutional nomination Applicant must first be admitted to Cambridge

Churchill Scholarships Graduate study at Cambridge University Pays all tuition and fees For study in Mathematics, Engineering, and Sciences Invitational Scholarship; requires institutional nomination

The Next Step… Research, Respond, Reflect Follow your interests Be passionate Get involved Be an agent of change Question Take advantage of opportunities Develop a vision of yourself

Honors Program Office of Undergraduate Research Office of Proposal Development Study Abroad Programs TAMU Career Center ACAD 101 ~ 845 – 1957