Applicant Timeline

The best way to make yourself competitive for prestigious scholarships and fellowships is to make a long range plan. Most of the scholarsips for which the OES advises students are for post-graduate study, but you can start preparing for the application process as early as your first year. You'll notice that some of the advice for first-year students is the same for sophomores and juniors: this is no mistake - a big component of your resume for scholarships will be consistency.

First-Year Students

Sophomores

Juniors

Your junior year is especially important in the fellowship application process. University pre-applications for most of the major fellowships will be due this year, as a first step in the official application process.

Stay involved. Even though your course requirements can be more challenging this year, it's still extremely important to stay active on campus and fill leadership roles. If you've not held office in any campus organizations yet, you should definitely try to do so this year.

Your junior year is also the time to repair any issues with your resume. If you still have not had a study abroad experience, plan one now. Continue to diversify your transcript with challenging course options, and build relationships with senior faculty members who can write recommendations for you.

Make sure to attend any information sessions sponsored by the OES about the various scholarships and fellowships available to you. Ask any questions you may have, so that you can be as prepared as possible.

Continue to come see us. You should view the OES as an ongoing advising center to help you succeed in your quest for top scholarships.

» Juniors majoring in mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering are eligible to apply for the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship.

» Juniors planning a career related to environmental issues are eligible to apply for the Udall Scholarship.

» Top-tier juniors interested in a career in public service should consider applying for the Truman Scholarship or the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship.

» Juniors who've studied German and wish to study in Germany after graduation, should consider applying for the DAAD Graduate Scholarship or the German Chancellor Fellowship.

» Top-tier juniors interested in studying in the U.K. or Ireland after graduation, should consider applying for the Rhodes, Marshall, Gates-Cambridge or Mitchell scholarships.

» Top-tier juniors interested in conducting a research project specific to another country, should consider applying for a Fulbright Grant.

Seniors