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

It's still not too late to get started in this process. Make yourself a viable candidate for prestigious scholarships. Come see us to review your resume and transcript.

Think ahead. Begin making summer plans as early as possible. A study abroad experience or a prestigious internship is a much more valuable way to spend your time than working a part-time job.

Stay involved on campus. In your second year of college, you should start taking on more leadership roles around campus. But don't spread yourself too thin: it's better to be majorly involved in two or three organizations than to be a minor player in several.

Diversify. Go beyond the minimum requirements of your major. Take courses that challenge and interest you. Consider especially courses that will inform you about global and national issues...such awareness will help you with scholarship selection committees.

Build relationships. Continue to make faculty contacts. They can help inform you about research opportunities and internships, and later they can write recommendation letters for you.

Don't forget about your schoolwork. With all of these other concerns, it can sometimes be easy to forget about your grades...don't. Only applicants with high GPAs get considered for top awards.

» Sophomores interested in service and looking for a study abroad opportunity during their senior year should consider applying for a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship.

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

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

Juniors

Seniors