1. goldwater.scholarsapply.org

2. Goldwater Scholarship
Important Application Information
November 2016

3. CAREER GOALS/PROFESSIONAL ASPIRATIONS
In one or two sentences, describe your career goal. (200 chars)
Example: Ph.D. in Molecular Biology. Conduct research in biomedical science and teach at the university level.
You may provide a more detailed description of your career goals.

4. GOALS AND PROFESSIONAL ASPIRATIONS
What are your career goals and professional aspirations?
Indicate which areas of math science or engineering you are considering pursuing in your research career and specify how your current academic program and your overall educational plans will assist you in achieving your career goals and profession aspirations. (3000 chars)

5. Motivation for STEM Career
Describe an activity or experience that has been important in clarifying or strengthening your motivation for a career in science, mathematics, or engineering. (1500 chars)

6. PERSONAL INFORMATION
Optional: Goldwater Scholars will be representative of the diverse economic, ethnic, racial and occupational backgrounds of families in the US. Describe any socioeconomic impacts you have personally experienced that influenced your education – either positively or negatively- and how you dealt with them.
Must link to the student’s education or how events shaped interest in research. Relevance

7. Personal Information Personal information is optional.
Encouraged to complete this section
Personal information is a minor factor compared to major evaluation criteria
Level of detail is left to nominee
Personal information is never negative in the review
Helpful for nominees who have non-traditional background or an inconsistency in the application.
Impact of economic or ethnic background
Impact of employment as undergraduate

8. Research Activities (up to 5)
List past and present research activities associated with your interests in mathematics, science, or engineering in which you regularly participate.
“Focus is on the student’s research”: Describe the research project and the student’s contributions to that project. Discuss publications and presentations if available space, or research mentor address in letter.
the focus for the reviewers is on the student’s res Explain the duration, degree, and significance of your involvement, including what responsibilities you had in the project.

9. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES (up to 5)
Research Activity
Starting Month
Starting Year
Ongoing?
Average Hours/week (acadmeic Year)
Average Hours /week (Summer)
Name of Project Mentor (list up to 3)
Mentor’s Title
Do you have papers/publications associated with this project?
Do you have presentations?
Purpose of research (1000 characters)

10. OTHER ACTIVITIES (up to 5)
Organization
Organization type
Role/Involvement
Leadership position
Length of involvement

11. RECOGNITIONS (up to 5)
Recognition
Type
Award Description
Award Year

12. ACCOMPLISHMENTS & SKILLS
Description

13. Research Essay
Discuss a significant issue or problem of particular interest.
The essay must include:
Description of the issue or problem,
Discussion of the research methodology
Discussion of your findings
Discussion of an idea for research that would have significant impact on the issue or problem,
Description of an aspect of the research in which you would be involved,
Explanation of issue/problem’s relevance to you,
Indication of the collaborative or individual participation in the research,
Figures and Tables, and
Bibliography/references & illustrations
The essay’s content & style is important! Assume that the reader will
have the expertise to read, review, and understand the complexities of
the field of specialty.
The student should prepare a carefully thought out, well-researched response to the essay question. The essay should be typed and confined to two pages (one side only). Font size may not be smaller than 11 point. The essay will need to be mailed in with the transcripts and other supporting documents. The essay should discuss a significant issue or problem in the student’s field of study that is of particular interest to the student. The student’s essay must include a description of the issue or problem, discussion of an idea for research that would have significant impact on the issue or problem, describing an aspect of the research in which the student would be involved, and explaining the relevance of the issue or problem to the student as a mathematician, scientist, or engineer. The content and style of the student’s essay will be important to the success of the student’s scholarship application. The student should assume that the reader is knowledgeable in mathematics, science, and engineering, and will have the expertise to read, review, and understand the complexities of the student’s field of specialty. If the student’s essay involves research in which they are or were involved, they should indicate if they are or were the sole researcher or if they collaborated with another individual. The student should include a bibliography, references, or illustrations, when appropriate, as part of the essay. The essay must include the following identifying information at the top of each page: a. Student’s Name, b. Name of student’s college or university, and c. Student’s signature

14. Research Essay Formatting
single or double-spaced
12 point font
Arial or Times New Roman
1” margins
No more than 3 Pgs
Name and name of institution at top of each page

15. Letters of Recommendation
3 LORs: 2 faculty (at least 1 from a faculty member in student’s field of study), 1 from recommender who supervised student’s research where applicable
From those who know student’s work WELL & can assess student’s personal characteristics, motivation & potential for a STEM research career
Best LORs come from faculty in the student’s field of study &/or from those who have supervised the student’s work in a research facility
Give LOR writers a copy of guidelines ahead of time

16. Recommendations, Con’t: LOR Instructions
Please evaluate the applicant's: Personal characteristics; Motivation; Potential for a career in STEM.
Your evaluation must address: Criteria on which you base your judgments & How the applicant meets your criteria.
Provide specific examples that illustrate the applicant's performance, maturity, initiative, and potential.

17. Recommendations, Con’t
Write a detailed 1-2 page letter.
not an application for grad school or a job
Concentrate on motivation and potential for a research career.
‘A’ student is assumed
avoid ‘turned in assignments on time,’ etc.
avoid ‘how difficult my course is,’ etc.
OK for nominee to be a ‘nerd’
* Compare to other students who have gone on to PhD programs & research careers.
evaluation at comparable stage of applicant’s career

18. What are they looking for?
Nominees most likely to pursue a research career in STEM
Interest and passion for research
Work independently
Demonstrate ownership of the project
Demonstrate sophisticated elegant thinking and analysis
Can think and behave like scientists
Can put forward ideas for new research

19. Goldwater Committee
A committee of 4-5 faculty researchers in the STEM areas are invited to read all Goldwater applications
Each faculty will evaluate each application and rank each application
The committee will meet to discuss all the applications and recommend the top four nominees.

20. Campus Application Deadline: 5 December 2016
Submit hard copy of complete application to the Honors Program
Application
Unofficial transcript
2-page Research Essay as WORD document
Provide names of Recommenders (provide recommenders with “Goldwater” instructions/advice)
Letters of Recommendation submitted to directly as WORD documents via .

21. Campus Application, Con’t
Consult Goldwater website for scholarship information and advice for applicants as well as for recommenders
Campus Selection Committee will nominate up to 4 candidates
Nominated candidates:
Revise application prior to official submission in January (expect multiple revisions)
Work closely with Dr. Valentine and your faculty as you revise
Recommenders may be asked to modify/expand their original LORs to ensure content coincides with candidate’s responses

22. Official Deadline All materials must be submitted by 19 January 2014
All documents are electronically uploaded
Students upload application and research essay
Campus Rep uploads transcript and letters for recommendation
Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts must be printed in the presence of the campus rep and signed and dated by the campus rep and student nominee.
National deadline: January 27, 2017
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Goldwater expects to receive over 1,200 applications
Approx. 300 scholars will be selected; approx. 200 may be honorable mentions

23. Goldwater Scholarship Website