Nationally Competitive Scholarships: November is Nomination Month
Sophomores and juniors: Consider yourselves officially notified that if you would like to be nominated by the University of Vermont for the biggest undergraduate academic awards in the country, you may need to submit some materials sooner than you think.
Three nationally competitive undergraduate scholarships which require an endorsement from UVM - the Goldwater, Udall, and Truman - now have an internal deadline during the month of November. The earlier dates were inspired after students requested a nomination process that would let them know their nomination status before winter break, and as part of a strategy by the Office of Fellowships Advising to make different scholarship nomination processes easier for students across different disciplines to understand.
So, sophomores and juniors, take note: Students who are excelling in a science, math or engineering discipline should strongly consider applying for a Goldwater Scholarship nomination by November 30. Sophomores and juniors who are dedicated to pursuing a career related to the environment or conservation should strongly consider applying for a Udall Scholarship nomination, also by November 30. And juniors who are dedicated public servants and change-makers should strongly consider submitting an application to be nominated for a Truman Scholarship by November 17.
While all of these scholarships have similar nomination deadlines, each of these scholarships support different experiences, expertise, talents and future goals.
For example, juniors who are dedicated change makers, who have records of leadership and public service, are in the top quarter of their class and have a demonstrated interest in a career in government, non-profit or related public service will want to submit Truman Scholarship nomination materials. The Truman Scholarship exists to support the next generation of public servants and public policy experts. It is one of the most lucrative graduate awards available, and will provide up to $30,000 for graduate school. It is also one of the only graduate fellowships that can be applied to law or medical school.
While future policy makers may focus on the Truman, sophomores and juniors in the sciences, math and engineering who are interested in a career in research are strongly encouraged to apply for a nomination for the Goldwater Scholarship by November 30. The Goldwater exists to support the next generation of research scientists, engineers and technology specialists. Up to three hundred Goldwater Scholarships are awarded nationally each year. Goldwater Scholars receive $7500 for each of their remaining years of undergraduate studies. As the most prestigious nationally competitive award for students in the sciences, math and engineering, the award will open doors to incredible academic opportunities down the line, including fellowships, scholarships and graduate school acceptance.
Finally, current sophomores and juniors students who are committed leaders and who are dedicated to pursuing a career related to the environment or conservation will want to submit a nomination application for a Udall Scholarship by November 30. The Udall Scholarship exists to support the next generation of environmental policy experts, engineers, scientists, and activists. Up to seventy Udall Scholarships are awarded each year to sophomores and juniors around the country. Udall Scholars receive a $5,000 undergraduate merit scholarship, an expenses-paid trip to a Udall Scholars retreat during the summer of 2012, and access to one of the largest networks of environmental leaders in the country.
While deadines are coming up fast, Honors College students have the added benefit of having the Office of Fellowships Advising very easily accessible. Located on the main floor of University Heights North, the office is happy to meet with any Honors College students considering applying for any of these awards. UVM has a limited number of nomination slots for each scholarship, so students are encouraged to seek support from this office in order to put together as strong an application as possible. For more information, contact Fellowships Advisor Brit Chase and britten.chase@uvm.edu.
The competition timeline and access to the nomination materials for these scholarships is below: