Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships

1. Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Jane Morris 610-519-5928 jane.morris@villanova.edu Hanna Lee 610-519-8852 hanna.lee@villanova.edu Garey 38

2. The Application Process General Tips • Follow directions. • Answer questions accurately. • List activities that have sustained involvement - quality not quantity. • Focus on activities in line with the award. Show how you fit with the scholarship’s mission. • Focus on your leadership and contributions. Make your contributions known. • Review and revise.

3. The Application Process There are three important parts of most applications: • Honors, Awards & Activities List • Essays and/or brief written statements that clarify goals and provide personal information, • Letters of Recommendation from sources that can attest to your academic ability, character and potential for future success.

4. The Application Process Honors, Awards & Activities List • Not intended to be a resume • List pertinent activities, experiences, honors, awards, prizes • Includes dates, brief description • List individualized – categories may include: Honors, Awards, Prizes, & Scholarship; College Academic Honors Research Experiences; Research/Work Volunteer Services; Advocacy Work; Community Involvement Extracurricular & Community Activities; Activities Athletic Record, Athletic Distinctions Experiences (work/internship); Foreign Study

5. The Application Process Essays - three types • Personal -- what you have done and how those experiences have served to inform your life and present/future choices; • Study Proposal -- details of course of study, your qualifications, how it was chosen, and how it will help you move closer to achieving career goals; • Travel Proposal -- focus & purpose, background, future plans, itinerary, benefits, and knowledge of culture or area. (Click on picture)

6. Finding the Right Program • Context of the scholarship • Truman: public service • Goldwater: science, engineering, math • Udall: environmental activism, • UK Scholarships: understand higher education in the UK • British Council • Marshall Scholarship Website

7. The Application Process Recommendations WHO: Faculty, University Staff, Community leaders, Members of the Clergy, etc., who: • Have first-hand knowledge of your work, • Can address different characteristics and strengths, • Can write about you with confidence and enthusiasm. PROVIDE LETTER WRITERS with copies of materials, information about the award, previous work from their class, project or program to refresh their memory. Request at least one month before deadline date. Be prepared for a rejection, especially if request is last minute.

8. The Application Process Transcript • Official and Unofficial • Other Schools - If possible order in person to speed processing time. Generally takes longer so plan appropriately.

9. Interviews • “This above all, to thine own self be true.” • It IS all about you. • Be aware of the world around you. • It is a conversation – be a part of it. • Mock interviews

10. Closing Miss Manners: • Write a thank you note to the foundation, • Let your supporters and letterwriters know about your outcome. Be sure to thank them. QUESTIONS

11. Rhodes Scholarships • Deadlines • September 9 – draft due • Draft consists of personal statement, program statement, resume, transcripts and one letter of recommendation • September 14 – on-campus selection interviews • October 5 – online applications due • All letters of recommendation as well as endorsement letter are due on Oct 5 • We request that letters of recommendation be uploaded by Sept 26. • (Click on pictures below)

12. Marshall Scholarships • September 9 – draft due • Draft consists of personal statement, program statement, essay on “Choosing the UK,” resume, transcripts and one letter of recommendation • September 14 – on-campus selection interviews • September 26 – campus deadline for application submission • October 3 – online applications due; receipt deadline for transcripts • All letters of recommendation as well as endorsement letter are due by Sept. 26 • (Click on pictures below)

13. Marshall Scholarships • “Choosing the UK” • Candidates should describe their reasons for wishing to live and study in the UK and how they think this will benefit them in the future. The candidates should also think about how they will demonstrate their commitment to the UK through volunteer and extracurricular activities. In addition candidates should demonstrate how they will meet the Marshall Scholarship’s objectives of gaining an understanding and appreciation of contemporary Britain and of serving as ambassadors/representatives for the USA in the UK, strengthening US/UK mutual understanding. • This is a 500 word statement.

14. Gates Cambridge Scholarships One to three/four years tuition plus stipend for students working towards a post-graduate degree at the University of Cambridge. To apply for the Gates Cambridge, you must apply to Cambridge directly. This year, applications should be made directly to the course. The scholarship application is part of the main application. Deadlines: September 9 (draft) October 15 (online application due) (Click on picture below to see website.)

15. Mitchell • One year of post graduate study at any Irish university. Mitchell Scholarships are intended to familiarize and connect the next generation of American leadership with the island of Ireland. • Criteria: Mitchell Scholars must exhibit superior levels of academic achievement, leadership and community service. Deadlines: September 9 (draft) September 14 (campus interviews) October 4 (online submission deadline) (Click on pictures to see website and sample application)