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

2. 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

3. Commonalities of National Scholarships Highly competitive Application process is a serious time commitment (100+ hours) All are a life-changing event

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

5. TAMU Successes Since 1991: 32 Goldwater Scholars Since 1998: 4 Marshall Scholars Since 1997: 14 Truman Finalists Since 1998: 5 Udall Scholars

6. 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

7. Application Processes Direct application Institutional Endorsement

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

9. Institutional Endorsement Few national scholarships Internal preliminary application process Limited nominations Complete oversight through process University recognition

10. DIRECT – NSF Graduate Fellowship – Gates-Cambridge –James Madison – Soros Fellowship for New Americans – Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant INSTITUTIONAL – Rhodes Scholarship – Marshall Scholarship – Fulbright Fellowship – Goldwater Scholarship – Truman Scholarship – Jack Kent Cooke Examples

11. Institutional Process Review official guidelines Prepare preliminary application – may either be the official application or a TAMU- specific application – gather necessary letters of recommendation – secure official university transcript(s) Submit preliminary application – TAMU deadline usually 3 to 7 months in advance of official deadline

12. Institutional Process Attend selection interview (if applicable) University nominations announced –not official until final applications submitted –subject to oversight & final approval –secondary review may be conducted, if necessary

13. 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

14. 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?”

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

16. Getting Serious A major scholarship effort is intense. Expect… …to devote precious time …to think hard about the future …constructive criticism An average successful Rhodes application has been revised 8 to 12 times and taken up to 200 hours

17. 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…

18. Getting Serious Strive for a balanced approach to academic, social, athletic, and other co-curricular activities What makes you a strong National Scholarship candidate will also make you a competitive applicant for graduate or professional school

19. Undergraduate Research Consider regardless of major Register for independent study – usually 485-, 285-, 497- listings – University Undergraduate Research Fellows Original work opens opportunities to – present at conferences – submit to undergraduate or professional journals Develop relationships with faculty

20. 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, scattered, 1-day community projects. Commitment is critical Don’t be afraid to serve beyond the campus community

21. Community & Public Service Think on a national or international level Be creative Bible study groups, praise bands, church choirs, or catechism is not community service. Efforts to serve the needy that are led by the church are community service

22. Internships & Work Experience Be strategic – choose positions that are related to your long term career or education goals Consider a variety of options Public Policy Internship Program http://www.tamu.edu/ppip/ http://www.tamu.edu/ppip/ Research opportunities early If money is a factor – choose professional positions – consider a part-time internship and a flexible full- time job

23. Leadership Most scholarships reward leaders Leadership should be visionary Don’t overextend yourself Commit yourself to the cause 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

24. International Awareness Seize opportunities for study abroad – TAMU Study Abroad Office http://studyabroad.tamu.edu/ http://studyabroad.tamu.edu/ Language study Applicable scholarships: – Rotary Ambassadorial – NSEP Undergraduate Study Abroad – Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant – TAMU Study Abroad Scholarships

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

26. Undergraduate Applied Science and Engineering Scholarships

27. Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships Up to $7500 for junior and senior 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

28. Morris K. Udall Up to $5000 Demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment Native Americans committed to tribal public policy or health care Wide range of fields

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. Graduate Applied Science and Engineering Scholarships

33. 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”

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

35. Science@NASA 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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.

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

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

41. Open-field Scholarships

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

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

44. 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

45. 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

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

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

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

49. 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

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

51. 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

52. For Further Information… http://honors.tamu.edu ACAD 101 845 – 1957; kemox@tamu.edu