resources
Major Scholarship advising
Application Preparation
Know what you need.
Major scholarships are highly competitive, usually requiring a minimum GPA of 3.75, and as an applicant, you should be able to demonstrate an outstanding academic or public-service record. If you meet the requirements, then you’re ready to apply. Your application and other required materials—like your personal statement and letter of recommendation—are your time to shine.
Letters of Recommendation
A key addition to your application.
ASK SOMEONE WHO KNOWS YOU WELL
Be sure to ask for a letter of recommendation from someone who can specifically call out what distinguishes you and who knows your academic record, your extracurricular activities, and/or your leadership skills well enough to write a letter.
GIVE YOURSELF AND THE RECOMMENDER PLENTY OF TIME
Know the application deadline (and be sure to distinguish between a postmark due date and a received-by due date). Give your recommender plenty of time to write your letter.
TALK THROUGH THE DETAILS
Meet with your recommender to discuss the specific scholarship you’re applying for, the selection criteria, your most recent and relevant activities, and what elements should be emphasized.
Note: If your application requires more than one letter of recommendation, you may want to let your recommenders know who the others are so that the letters are not repetitive.
BRING EVERYTHING YOU NEED
- A current résumé or a list of your activities and honors (include internships, work and research experience, community service, conference papers and presentations, and other creative or leadership experiences)
- A copy of your personal statement, project proposal, and/or course-of-study proposal, or other descriptive information from the application (if these materials are not yet completed, you’ll need to provide an informal version in the form of a one- to two-page statement)
- Any pertinent reminders about the work you have done for the recommender (these will help you highlight what makes you a strong candidate and may include past papers or exams)
- A copy of your transcript, if applying for a nationally competitive fellowship (this can be an unofficial copy and will give your recommender an overview of your academic program to date)
- The official description of the criteria the recommender’s letter should focus on
- Any cover sheets or official recommendation forms that should accompany the letter
- If you are asking for more than one letter, provide the following information on a separate sheet
- To whom each letter should be addressed (individual or committee, relevant titles, address)
- Whether each letter should be mailed directly to the funding agency (as in the case of the Rhodes, NSF, Mellon) or remitted to the Office of Major Scholarship Advising for inclusion in the application packet (Truman, Goldwater, Udall, Marshall)
- The deadline
- Stamped and addressed envelopes for each letter
FOLLOW UP
Putting together a strong letter of recommendation can take a lot of work, so it’s important to thank your recommender for their time and support. Write a thank-you note or email, and be sure to let them know what happens.
Essays and personal statements
Tell them who you are.
Each major scholarship opportunity requires a written component that falls into two categories: a personal statement in which you discuss your life or a proposal that describes and defends your academic project or intended course of study. It is important to understand the purpose and mission of each scholarship in order to make sure that your essay or proposal is relevant and appeals to the reviewers. And remember, an exceptional essay usually goes through numerous rounds of revisions and edits before it’s ready.
Interviews
Prepare and present yourself.
Some scholarships require all candidates to have an interview, and others require semifinalists or finalists to have an interview. In either case, interviews allow you to introduce yourself to the selection committee, demonstrate your communication and critical-thinking skills, and showcase your professionalism.
Need some help preparing for your interview? The Career Development Center offers workshops and mock interviews, and you can always reach out to the Office of Major Scholarship Advising for help.