Spring is a time for students who are bringing their academic experience, intellectual interests, and personal convictions together to start charting their path for how they want to reach their goals both during and after their time at UVM. For juniors and seniors, it's a time to think about graduate fellowships in the United States and/or the United Kingdom. For sophomores and juniors, it's a time to inquire which national opportunities make sense to pursue now, and which opportunities may fit into their plans in the future. And for first year students, it's a time to take stock of what they've accomplished during their first semester of college and what they want to accomplish during the rest of their college career.
Planning ahead is an important part of the national fellowships process, which is why spring is an ideal time for students to stop by the fellowships office to talk about their future academic and career goals (as well as how they would like to accomplish them). Whether students are concerned about spring deadlines or spring planning, one can be sure there are several scholarships that students will be talking about next semester. They include:
The Rhodes Scholarship
Be it global health, development, history, anthropology, engineering, infectious diseases, English, politics or classical studies, the Rhodes Scholarship is the opportunity students pursue if they want to become a person with the intellectual training and the academic credentials that can truly enable them to change the world. The Rhodes, the oldest and most renowned nationally competitive scholarship, is awarded for two years of study at Oxford in a wide range of subjects. Applicants are judged according to a comprehensive set of criteria, with the aim that Scholars be "physically, intellectually, and morally capable of leadership." US citizenship required for the American Rhodes Scholarship. Citizens of some Commonwealth countries are also eligible, but have earlier deadlines. Juniors and seniors who have demonstrated excellence in the classroom, have taken the initiative to make a profound difference in the world, and have big goals for how they want to make the world a better place are encouraged to inquire about applying for a Rhodes Scholarship.
The Mitchell Scholarship
To help strengthen the ties between the U.S. and a peaceful Ireland, the U.S.-Ireland alliance established the Mitchell Scholarships in 2001. Named for former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, who in 1998 brokered a peace agreement between the warring factions in Northern Ireland, the scholarship has become one of the most prestigious national awards available for students who wish to pursue graduate study in Ireland. The Mitchell is awarded for a year of research or study in the Republic of Ireland or in Northern Ireland in a wide range of subjects, and is available for current juniors, seniors and recent graduates. Applicants must have a demonstrated record of intellectual distinction, leadership and extracurricular activities.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
The National Science Foundation aims to ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the United States. The Graduate Research Fellowship provides three years of support for graduate study leading to research-based master's or doctoral degrees and is intended for students who are in the early stages of their graduate study. The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) invests in graduate education for a cadre of diverse individuals who demonstrate their potential to successfully complete graduate degree programs in disciplines relevant to the mission of the National Science Foundation. Grants are available to students in math, life sciences, social sciences, chemistry, physics, astronomy, computer sciences and engineering.
Udall Scholarship
Sophomores and juniors who are committed to becoming future leaders in the environmental movement need to contact the Fellowships Office as soon as possible in order to get more information on the campus application process for the Udall Scholarship. The Udall is a merit scholarship awarded to current sophomores and juniors with outstanding potential in the field of environmental studies, as well as Native American students studying fields related to health care and tribal public policy. The fellowship provides $5000 towards college costs, and the University of Vermont is allowed to nominate up to six students for this award. Internal deadline: February 11, 2011.
Madison Scholarship
Seniors who are interested in becoming high school teachers and teaching a subject related to American history or the U.S. Constitution are strongly encouraged to consider applying for a Madison Scholarship. The Madison is awarded to college seniors and recent graduates who are committed to the teaching of American history, government, and social studies in secondary schools. The grant supports graduate studies leading to a Master's degree. U.S. citizenship or permanent residence status required. Deadline: March 1, 2011.
Gilman Scholarship
Students who plan on studying abroad during the Fall 2011 semester should strongly consider applying for a Gilman Scholarship. The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. Such international study is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world. Gilman Scholars are allowed to study anywhere in the world, and there is no minimum level of language proficiency required to participate in the program. Awards are up to $8,000. Spring deadline: April 1, 2011