Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Scholarships Information Session August 28, 2013

Why Should I Be Interested in a Nationally Competitive Scholarship? The benefits of winning a scholarship are considerable, even beyond the obvious financial reward The process can open doors to further opportunities Acquisition and honing of life skills Learning and Networking opportunities Sometimes, you win a scholarship.

General Criteria Evidence of Excellence: >3.70 GPA Scholarly Potential Leadership Service Program of Study

What are Nationally Competitive Scholarships? Rhodes Scholarship Marshall Scholarship Mitchell Scholarship Fulbright Grants Gates Cambridge Scholarship Post-Graduate: Goldwater Scholarship Truman Scholarship Udall Scholarship Boren Scholarship Undergraduate:

Rhodes Scholarship American Rhodes Scholars are chosen each year for 2 years of study at Oxford University Important dates (2013): Sept 11 – selection interviews Sept 23 – campus deadline Oct 1 – national deadline

Marshall Scholarship Up to 40 awarded each year for one to two years of study at any British university Important dates (2013): Sept 11 – selection interviews Sept 23 – campus deadline Oct 1 – national deadline

Mitchell Scholarship Up to 12 awarded each year for a year of graduate study at any Irish university Important dates (2013): Sept 11 – selection interviews Sept 23 – campus deadline Oct 1 – national deadline Ivanley Noisette, Mitchell Scholar,

Gates Cambridge Scholarship  One to three years towards a post- graduate degree at the University of Cambridge.  To apply for the Gates Cambridge, you must apply to Cambridge directly. The scholarship application is part of the main application.  Application Deadline – October 16

Fulbright Grants More than 1,500 grants awarded to American students each year Fellowships for US students; funds a year abroad -- studying, teaching English, or conducting research

Fulbright Grants Important Dates (2013): Campus interviews – Sept 18 Campus deadline – Oct 7 National deadline – Oct 15 N.B. Because the national deadline is during Fall Break, all materials – including letters of recommendation – must be in by Oct 7. Shreya Trivedi, Fulbright ETA in South Korea,

Goldwater Scholarship Nov 1 – campus selection interviews Jan 24 – national deadline Ian Dardani, 2012 Goldwater Scholar Joana Petrescu, 2013 Goldwater Scholar

Truman Scholarship Nov 8 – campus selection interviews Feb 4 – national deadline Jessica Wamala 2012 Truman Scholar Stefan Johnson 2013 Truman Scholar

Udall Scholarship For students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care Expects to fund 80 scholarships Awards up to $5,000 Important dates (2013): Nov 15 – campus selection interviews Mar 1 – national deadline Adrienne Donaghue, Villanova Udall Scholar, 2010

Boren Scholarship Established in 1991; “For US students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to US interests and underrepresented in study abroad” Up to $20,000 for full year study abroad program Service commitment required of Boren award recipients Important dates Feb 13 – national deadline

Other Post-Graduate Fellowships and Grants Soros – November 8, 2013 National Science Foundation – Nov. 4-8, by discipline ( ) NDSEG – December ( ) Hertz – November 1 ( ) SMART-December 16, 2013 ( )

Other Notable Scholarships and Fellowships-Undergraduate Hollings(for sophomores in STEM, Science Education or Science Policy) – February 2014 ( ) SMART-December 2013 ( ) Critical Language Scholarship – Nov 15, 2013 (

Other Notable Scholarships and Fellowships-Undergraduate Research Villanova Undergraduate Research Program : _research/fellows.html _research/fellows.html NSF REU’s : DAAD Rise:

Application Process CURF office  “brain storm”  resume – critical path General meeting Preliminary application On-campus interviews

National Competitions Ways to improve your chances with nationally competitive scholarships Develop oral communication/articulation skills - Take a speech communication class - Read avidly to improve vocabulary Cultivate your knowledge of current affairs - local, state, federal, & world. - Read daily national newspapers and journals - Participate in current event discussion & debates

Interested? Please contact the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships: Garey Hall Lancaster Avenue Villanova, PA Jane Morris, , Hanna Lee, , Find us online: On FacebookFacebook On Villanova’s Website