Advice for Applicants
"Either do it or don't do it," Jamie Troupe, 2008 Goldwater Scholar from UT advises. "Put everything you've got into it, or don't bother."
Start early! The Office of External Scholarships exists to help you with the process. Fill out the appropriate pre-application form(s) and make an appointment with our office to discuss scholarship options. You may want to come see us during your first or second year to discuss a long-range plan for your specific goals.
Research, and be honest with yourself: how do you compare with past recipients? Do you have the time and energy needed to commit to what can be a very daunting application process?
-Do you have a competitive GPA? Even for scholarships without a minimum GPA, your academic record will be examined. What does your academic history, courses and grades, say about you?
-Have you been actively involved in extracurricular activities? What achievements have you already accomplished that will make scholarship committees look favorably upon you?
Make contacts. What faculty members/advisors do you know who would be willing to provide you with a reference? Successful students of the most competitive scholarships tend to have very detailed references; the more closely you have worked with someone, the better able they will be to refer you to a specific scholarship committee. Some of the more prestigious scholarships require the endorsement of your university as well. Our advice: begin developing relationships with faculty members early in your tenure at UTK…trying to wait until the end of your junior year or later will put some of the more prestigious scholarships beyond your reach.
Most scholarship selection committees will want
-transcripts
-a personal statement
-letters of recommendation (from 2 to 8)
Some will also require
-a project proposal or plan of study
-an interview (possibly several)
-GRE scores (only for graduate study)
For more details, click on the following:
Writing Essays & Proposals
Asking for Recommendations
Interviewing for Scholarships
