GUIDELINES FOR CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPETITIVE APPLICANTS Applicants who have reached the level of finalist or winner in national scholarship and fellowship competitions are, in general, students whose academic records are outstanding and who have, in addition, engaged in a significant way with one or more activities on campus or in the community. They are students who are intellectually curious, thoughtful, passionate and committed in their activities. Examples include students who have pursued significant undergraduate research, demonstrated initiative or creativity in organizing or leading campus or community organizations, or excelled in the arts. Many have had strong interest in and awareness of philosophical, political or international issues.
GATHER INFORMATION Visit the web sites of the programs that interest
you. If the scholarship program requires that you specify a particular institution
that you wish to attend, use the web to find out about various universities
in various countries.
PERSONAL ESSAY For most of the programs, you will be required to write an essay about yourself and your goals. However, the essay should not be a narrative of your life. The essay needs a focus, and should let your spark and passion shine through. If a specific person or event has been especially significant in your development as a person, that can be a good starting point. What you say should lay a foundation for you, at the conclusion of the essay, be able to say why you want to study a particular subject or topic in a particular location, and what you hope to gain from the experience. For the scholarships with fall application deadlines (Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Fulbright), seniors should let Dean Hamel know early in the summer of their intention to apply, and should have a first draft ready for review and discussion in the summer or upon return to campus in the fall.
RECOMMENDATIONS For your applications, you will need letters of recommendation. Make a point of getting to know your professors and helping them get to know you; engage in discussion, ask questions, find out about research opportunities, invite a professor for a meal in the residence hall. For your scholarship applications, you should request recommendations after you have written a draft of your application, but well before the application deadline. These should be from professors and others who know you well and who can write in detail about your qualities and accomplishments. It's OK (and even preferred) that the letters be long and detailed, with specific examples which illustrate your outstanding qualities...more than a single page. You should talk with your recommenders about your plans and give them a copy of your list of honors, activities, etc. PRELIMINARY SCREENING For the programs for which the University makes nominations, students seeking consideration must submit preliminary materials, as indicated in the enclosed program descriptions, and from among the students submitting such materials, nominees will be selected. GRE EXAMS Some of the programs require the GRE general test, and a few require a GRE subject test as well. The test(s) should be taken no later than the October test date.
For additional information about national scholarships and fellowships for which Case students may apply, please contact:
Dean Lynmarie Hamel
Office of Undergraduate Studies
Sears Building, Room 357
Case Western Reserve University
10900 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106-7028 Phone: (216) 368-2928
Fax: (216) 368-4718
E-mail: lynmarie.hamel@case.edu
NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
INFORMATION FOR CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES
(* indicates that Case students have won this award within the past ten years)
THE AMERICAN-SCANDINAVIAN FOUNDATION (Graduating seniors, graduate students) - November 1 deadline The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) offers fellowships (up to $18,000) and grants (normally $3,000) to individuals to pursue research or study in one or more Scandinavian countries for up to one year. Awards are made in all fields. Applicants must have a well-defined research or study project that makes a stay in Scandinavia essential, be United States citizens or permanent residents, and must have completed their undergraduate education by the start of the project in Scandinavia. Team projects are eligible, but each member must apply as an individual, submitting a separate, fully-documented application. Projects should be planned to fall within the summer of 2005 - summer 2006 time period. For additional information and applications, go to
www.amscan.org.
BEINECKE SCHOLARSHIP* (Juniors) - Spring deadline The Beinecke
Scholarship is for a junior who is interested in attending graduate school in
arts, humanities or social sciences after receiving the bachelor's degree. The
scholarship provides $15,000 per year for each of two years of graduate study
in arts, humanities, social sciences, mathematics or natural sciences. Case
may nominate only one student to be a candidate, so there is PRELIMINARY
SCREENING. If you wish to be considered, please submit to Dean Hamel
(lynmarie.hamel@case.edu; Sears
Building 357):
1) a resume of your education, accomplishments and activities 2) a brief (no more than 2 pages) statement describing your interests and career plans and your plans for graduate study.
CHURCHILL SCHOLARSHIPS* (Graduating seniors)- Fall deadline; GRE
general test and subject test are required. The Churchill Scholarships provide
full support (tuition and living expenses, plus a $500 travel allowance) for
a year of graduate study in mathematics, science, or engineering at the University
of Cambridge in England. Information about the University of Cambridge is available
through its web site (http://www.cam.ac.uk).
Case may nominate only two students to be candidates, so there is PRELIMINARY
SCREENING. If you wish to be considered, please submit to Dean Hamel
(lynmarie.hamel@case.edu; Sears
Building 357) by September 15:
1) a brief account of your interest in science or engineering, and your career plans 2) a one-page summary of your activities (including any research activities and presentations), honors and awards.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS* (Graduating seniors, first-year graduate students)-January deadline; GRE required. (Web site: http://www.asee.org/ndseg) The Department of Defense (DoD) is committed to increasing the number and quality of U.S. scientists and engineers. National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowships will be awarded for study and resarch in pursuit of doctoral degrees in mathematical, physical, biological, ocean and engineering sciences. Open only to citizens or nationals of the U.S. Applications are encouraged from women, persons with disabilities and minorities, including American Indian, Black, Hispanic, Native Alaskan (Eskimo of Aleut) or Pacific Islanders (Polynesian or Micronesian). The DoD will pay tuition, required fees, and a stipend. NDSEG Fellows do not incur any military or other service obligation. Applications are available by request from Jeff Jarosz (ndseg@asee.org) or at www.asee.org/ndseg.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS FELLOWSHIPS (Sophomores) -February deadline. (Web site: http://www.woodrow.org/public-policy/foreign_affairs_fellowhsip.html) The Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program of the U.S. Department of State aims to attract outstanding students into careers in the Foreign Service. The fellowships provide funding for tuition, room and board, books and fees for the junior and senior years, for a required summer institute, and for the first year of graduate study. Women and members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service are encouraged to apply.
FULBRIGHT FELLOWSHIPS* (Graduating seniors and graduate/professional school students) - Early fall deadline. (Web site: http://www.iie.org/fulbright) 1) For study in other countries: Fulbright fellowships provide support for advanced study in many countries around the world. In general, fluency in the language of the destination country is necessary, and applicants should have a clear idea of what they want to study and why they want to study in a particular country. 2) For teaching English in other countries. There are some fellowships to support graduates who would like to teach English in other countries.
PRELIMINARY SCREENING: Talk with Dean Hamel (lynmarie.hamel@case.edu;
Sears Building 357) during your junior year (preferably) or during summer, 2005, (and
no later than August 31) to discuss your goals and to see if there's a Fulbright
program which would be appropriate.
GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIPS* (Sophomores and juniors) - Fall deadline.
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation aims
to attract outstanding students into careers in mathematics, the natural sciences,
and engineering. Current sophomores (planning to graduate in 2007) and juniors
(planning to graduate in 2006) are eligible for consideration. A Goldwater Scholarship
provides $7000 per year. Candidates should be outstanding students who have
an interest in pursuing a research career in science, math, or engineering.
Preferred are students who have already been engaged in research or have some
ideas about specific problems or areas they'd like to investigate via research.
The University is permitted to nominate no more than four students for this
national competition, so there is PRELIMINARY SCREENING. Preliminary
applications, available in Sears Building 357 and including a couple of questions
from the "real" (long) application, must be submitted to Dean Hamel (lynmarie.hamel@case.edu)
in the Office of Undergraduate Studies by October 1.
JACK KENT COOKE FOUNDATION GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS (graduating seniors and recent graduates) - Spring deadline. (Web site: http://www.jackkentcookefoundation.org/jkcf_web/content.aspx?page=Grad)
The scholarships cover tuition, room and board, books, and other required fees for length of the graduate degree program, up to six years. The amount and duration of awards vary by student; the maximum available per student is $50,000 per year. To be eligible for consideration, a candidate must have a cumulative gpa of at least 3.50 and must be planning to enter a full-time graduate or professional degree program in fall 2005. Selection criteria include demonstrated academic achievement and intelligence, unmet financial need, will to succeed, leadership and public service, critical thinking ability, and appreciation for or participation in the arts and humanities. The University is permitted to nominate no more than two students for this national competition, so there is PRELIMINARY SCREENING. Preliminary applications, available in the Office of Undergraduate Studies and including a couple of questions from the "real" (long) application, must be submitted to Dean Hamel lynmarie.hamel@case.edu) in Undergraduate Studies by February 15. JACOB JAVITS FELLOWSHIPS* (Graduating seniors)-November deadline. This program provides financial assistance to students of superior ability to undertake study at the doctoral and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) level in selected fields of the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Eligibility limited to U.S. citizens or nationals, permanent residents of U.S., or citizens of any of the Freely Associated States. Fellow receives an institutional payment and a stipend annually for up to the lesser of 48 months or completion of degree. For application materials go to http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpsjavits/index.html.
MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIPS (Graduating seniors)- September deadline. (Web site: http://www.marshallscholarship.org/) The Marshall Scholarship is a very prestigious and competitive award, providing tuition and living expenses for two years of study at a university in the United Kingdom. The application requires two essays: an academic plan and a personal statement. You do need a clear plan of what you would like to do academically and at which university in the UK. The JYA Office in Sears Building 357 has information from many universities in the UK, and many universities have web sites. Your professors may know of universities' particular strengths, and may know colleagues at UK universities; ask them for advice. PRELIMINARY SCREENING: Please submit to Dean Hamel in early August a summary (one page, if possible) of:
1) Academic accomplishments, honors and awards (include, if applicable, honors thesis, or paper given, research completed, scholarships, competitive summer programs, and recognition won) 2) Extracurricular/community activities and leadership
MELLON FELLOWSHIPS IN HUMANISTIC STUDIES* (Graduating seniors)- December
deadline; GRE required. (Web site: http://www.woodrow.org/mellon/)
Designed for students planning careers as teacher-scholars, the Mellon Fellowships
cover tuition and the required fees for the first year of graduate study in
a Ph.D. program in American Studies, Art History, Classics, Comparative Literature,
Critical Theory, Cultural Anthropology, Cultural Studies, English Literature,
Ethnic Studies, Ethnomusicology, Foreign Language and Literature, History, History
and Philosophy of Mathematics, History and Philosophy of Science, Humanities,
Interdisciplinary Studies, Music History and Theory, Philosophy, Political Philosophy,
Political Theory, Religious Studies, Rhetoric, or Women's Studies. Students
must submit a five- to seven-page academic writing sample and a 1000-word statement
of interest. Applications are available by request from the foundation's web
site.
MITCHELL SCHOLARSHIPS* (Graduating seniors and graduate/professional school students) - Early fall deadline. (Web site: http://www.us-irelandalliance.org/scholarships.html) These scholarships, established in 1999 to honor Senator George J. Mitchell's contribution to the peace process, provide tuition and living expenses for a year of study at a university in Ireland or Northern Ireland. PRELIMINARY SCREENING: Please submit to Dean Hamel in August a summary (one page, if possible) of: 1) Academic accomplishments, honors and awards (include, if applicable, honors thesis, or paper given, research completed, scholarships, competitive summer programs, and recognition won) 2) Extracurricular/community activities 3) Leadership
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIPS*: NSF Graduate Fellowships, NSF Minority
Graduate Fellowships, Women in Engineering and Computer and Information Science
(Graduating seniors and first year graduate students; social science students,
as well as science and engineering students can qualify for these) - Fall
deadline; GRE required. The NSF fellowships provide a year's living expenses. In addition, NSF Research
Fellows receive tuition waivers from the institutions they attend for graduate
study in engineering, math, sciences, computer and information science, psychology,
anthropology, economics, history of science, philosophy of science, international
relations, linguistics, political science, or sociology. Applications for the
National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship programs will
be available electronically via the world wide web, www.ehr.nsf.gov/dge/programs/grf/, the Office of Undergraduate Studies (Sears Building 357) and in the Graduate Studies Office
(631 Nord Hall) in September.
NSEP SCHOLARSHIPS (DAVID L. BOREN SCHOLARSHIP)* - (First year students, sophomores,
juniors, graduate/professional school students) - Winter deadline. NSEP
(National Security Education Program) scholarships support summer and school-year
study abroad for students studying in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Russia,
Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Language study MUST be part of the program.
All majors are eligible, but preference is given to specific majors. In 2002-03,
"favored majors" were: engineering, science, computer science, management, international
studies, political science, anthropology, psychology, sociology, and history.
It is likely that the 2003-04 competition will have similar preferences. PRELIMINARY
SCREENING: Meet with Dean Hamel in September or October to identify an
appropriate study abroad program and to review NSEP application requirements.
http://www.iie.org/nsep/
RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS* (Graduating seniors and graduate/professional school students) - Early fall deadline. (Web site: http://www.rhodesscholar.org/) These are regarded as the most prestigious and competitive of all post-graduate fellowships for study overseas. The scholarships provide tuition and living expenses for study at Oxford University for two years. Most Rhodes Scholars complete a second bachelor's degree. Case nominates candidates for consideration by state selection committees, so there is PRELIMINARY SCREENING on campus . Please submit to Dean Hamel by August 1 a summary (one page, if possible) of:
1) Academic accomplishments, honors and awards (include, if applicable, honors thesis, or paper given, research completed, scholarships, competitive summer programs, and recognition won) 2) Sports activities (whatever you do to keep physically fit) and letters, if applicable 3) Service and community activities (things like tutoring, Habitat, Adopt-a-Grandparent, hospital volunteer, internships, and any recognition you may have received for service) 4) Leadership (groups in which you participate and your leadership positions)
ROTARY FOUNDATION AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS* (Sophomores, juniors, seniors
and graduate/professional school students) - Spring deadline for scholarship
for the following year, e.g. March 2005 for a scholarship for the 2006-2007
academic year. Web site: http://www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/amb_scho/
With the purpose of furthering international understanding and friendly relations
among people of different countries, the scholarships are given for study or
training in another country where Rotary clubs are located. The scholarships
range from $11,000 to $23,000. Rotarians and their descendants are not
eligible. Application is made through local Rotary clubs.
SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIPS (Graduating seniors, graduate students)-November deadline. Web site: http://www.somfoundation.som.com/ The $7500 SOM Fellowship is awarded annually to a recent engineering graduate specializing in architectural, electrical, or mechanical engineering. It enables the Fellow to travel in order to observe and analyze innovative building systems and technologies anywhere in the world that relates to his or her area of interest. Although the candidate must be attending a U.S. school, he/she may be of any citizenship. The University is permitted to nominate no more than four students, so there is PRELIMINARY SCREENING. Interested students should make an appointment with Dean Hamel in early September.
SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS SCHOLARSHIPS* (Sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate students)-February deadline. As part of its national educational activities, SWE administers approximately 90 scholarships annually, varying in amount from $200 to over $5000 per year and totaling more than $150,000. All SWE scholarships are open only to women majoring in engineering or computer science in a college or university with an ABET accredited program or in a SWE approved school and who will be in the specified year of study during the academic year the grant payment is made. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.5/4.0 or above. For additional requirements and to download application materials, see the web site: http://www.societyofwomenengineers.org/scholarships/brochure.aspx.
THE PAUL AND DAISY SOROS FELLOWSHIPS FOR NEW AMERICANS (Graduating seniors, first or second-year graduate students)-November deadline; LSAT, MCAT, GRE, GMAT, etc. required. (Web site: http://www.pdsoros.org) The purpose of these highly competitive fellowships is to provide opportunities for continuing generations of able and accomplished new Americans to achieve leadership in any subject anywhere in the U.S. The fellowships are grants for up to two years of graduate or professional school study and provide $20,000 maintenance and half-tuition annually. Candidates must be either holders of Green Cards, naturalized citizens, or children of two naturalized citizens, and not older than thirty years of age. PRELIMINARY SCREENING. Interested students should contact Dean Hamel in September.
TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIPS* (Juniors) - Fall deadline. (Web site: http://www.truman.gov/) The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, established by Congress in 1975, awards merit-based scholarships to college students planning to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in public service. Each year, in a national competition, 75 - 100 scholarships are awarded, with at least one being awarded in each of the 50 states. Juniors or second-year students with junior status planning to graduate in 2006 are eligible for consideration. The scholarship provides up to $30,000 for a student's graduate study. There is no restriction as to major field. The scholarship competition is open only to US citizens. The University is permitted to nominate no more than three or four students, so there is PRELIMINARY SCREENING. Preliminary applications, available in Sears Building 357 and including a couple of questions from the "real" application, must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Studies by October 1. Interested students should also get in touch with Dean Hamel (E-mail: lynmarie.hamel@case.edu;; Phone: 368-2928) in early September to discuss their interest.
UDALL SCHOLARSHIPS* - (Sophomores and juniors) - Winter deadline. (Web site: http://www.udall.gov/index.htm) The Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation aims to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers related to environmental public policy and to encourage outstanding Native American and Alaska Native students to pursue careers related to health care and tribal public policy . Current sophomores (planning to graduate in 2007) and juniors (planning to graduate in 2006) are eligible for consideration. A Udall Scholarship provides $5000 per year. Typical majors or areas of study include environmental engineering, the natural sciences, natural resource management, and the social sciences. The University is asked to nominate students for this national competition, so there is PRELIMINARY SCREENING. Interested students should make an appointment to meet with Dean Hamel in September or October.
USA TODAY ALL-USA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM* - (Juniors and seniors) - Fall
deadline.Winners (20 nationwide) are featured in a special issue of USA
TODAY, and receive a $2500 prize. The competition recognizes students who have
distinguished themselves by some outstanding -- and uncommon -- achievement.
Case's winners were innovators and leaders in extracurricular activities and/or
research. A professor or administrator must write a letter of nomination which
relates to the significant achievement you choose to describe in your application
essay. Application forms will be available in Sears Building 357 in late September.
Web site: http://allstars.usatoday.com
ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES For information about scholarships
for specific majors or areas of the country, visit the following web site, where
there is a searchable database of more than 17,000 scholarships, internships,
and awards:http://fundingopps2.cos.com/
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