1. 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

2. 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

3. 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?

4. 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

5. Endorsed Fellowships

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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. Progression of a FEllowship applicaNt
Ideation
Exploration
Preparation
Application
Celebration

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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.”

16. 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.

17. 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?

18. 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?

19. 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.”

20. 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?

21. 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