UVM Goldwater Scholarship Homepage

Overview

Authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1986, the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established to address current and future shortages of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians and engineers and, today, continues to support the education of outstanding individuals in those fields of study and research.

Goldwater Scholars receive up to $7500/year, during their Junior and/or Senior years, to cover eligible expenses for tuition, fees, books, and room and board and are selected by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation from a pool of nominees provided by institutions of higher education in the United States. The University of Vermont can nominate up to 4 students each year to compete for this award. For 2011, the Foundation expects to award up to 300 Goldwater Scholarships (from a pool of more than 1500 highly qualified applicants).

Eligibility
To be considered for nomination as a Goldwater Scholar, you must:

Selection Criteria
Nominees from will be evaluated by an independent review committee appointed by the Foundation. Nominees must demonstrate outstanding academic performance and the potential for and commitment to a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. In awarding scholarships, the Foundation will also consider the nominee's field of study, career objectives, and their commitment and potential to make signficiant contributions to their field. It is expected that Goldwater Scholars will pursue advanced degrees. Typical fields of study include (but are not limited to): applied science, astronomy, biochemistry, biology, botany, chemistry, computer science, electrical engineering, environmental science, geology, mathematics, mechanical engineering, microbiology, molecular genetics, neurobiology, physics, and zoology.

The Application
Applicants must complete and submit the following:

Nominee Information Form: including biographical and background information as well as interests and future career plans. (ONLINE)
Nominee's Essay: a 600-word essay discussing a signficant issue or problem in the nominee's field of study. (NOT Online)
Letters of Recommendation: three letters from 1) a faculty member who can discuss the nominee's career potential, 2) a faculty member in the nominee's field of study, and 3) another individual/faculty member who can attest to the nominee's potential. (ONLINE)
Academic Transcripts: a current college transcript (showing all college grades). (NOT Online)

Timeline/Application Procedure

Arrange to meet with the UVM Goldwater Scholarship faculty coordinator (Professor Rory Waterman, Dept of Chemistry, Rory.Waterman@uvm.edu) to obtain more information and/or to indicate your intent to apply for the scholarship
Submit, no later than noon, Friday December 10, 2010, a completed application package (including: nominee information form, nominee's essay, letters of recommendation, and college transcripts). Application materials not entered online should be delivered to: The Honors College.
The UVM selection committee will evaluate the submitted applications based on the above evaluation criteria and will select up to 4 applicants as UVM's nominees for the 2011 Goldwater Scholarship program.
Applicants endorsed as UVM's nominees will be given constructive feedback from the UVM selection committee and will have the opportunity to revise their application materials before submitting final application materials to be forwarded to the Goldwater Scholarship Foundation with official UVM nomination forms (application deadline: January 31, 2011).
The Board of the Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation select the 2011 Goldwater Scholars and Alternates in mid-March 2011; nominees will be informed of their status in the Program by the end of March 2011.

Important Links/Contact Information

Official Goldwater Scholarship Website - www.act.org/goldwater
-the definitive source for information and application materials
The UVM Goldwater Scholarship Website
-you are here!
Application forms: http://www.act.org/goldwater/apply/index.html
-applications for the 2011 award competition are now submitted ONLINE
UVM Goldwater Faculty Contact: Professor Rory Waterman, Dept of Chemistry, Cook Physical Sciences Building, Room A129
-email: Rory.Waterman@uvm.edu
-phone: 656-0278