Should I Apply?

By now you should have reviewed many of the scholarships available and created a list of awards that interest you. The goal of applying for one scholarship or many is not strictly to “win.” The process of completing the application, proposals and getting to know yourself and your professors is often worth the time spent stressing over the process.

You do need to be realistic about your chances. If your GPA is a 3.5 or higher, you are in the range. If you have less than a 3.5, there are still opportunities out there for you, but you will need to search a little bit harder. Even if you do have a strong GPA, your application must include more than just high grades. Most of the programs are looking for students who are well rounded, involved in the community, and can write and interview well.

Which opportunities are right for me?

You will notice that most of the scholarships have very specific criteria. You need to spend time evaluating yourself and your goals to decide whether a U.S. graduate program or a year or two abroad would be more appealing. And, if you're a political science major with your sights set on law school, the Howard Hughs Medical Fellowship probably wouldn't be the best option for you. Select the awards that seem to be the best fit for your ultimate goal and then spend plenty of time on their web sites to learn more about the programs.

General Criteria

As you have learned by now, the scholarships vary significantly in their criteria necessary for successful candidates. However, a few generalizations can be made. The prestigious fellowships, as you might imagine, are highly competitive. Therefore, the majority of the candidates meet the following criteria:

• top 10% of your class is preferable, with at least a 3.5 GPA.

• possess the confidence and skills necessary to gain acceptance to the top graduate programs.

• many of the “big” scholarships also expect you to have contributed to the community and held leadership roles in campus clubs or organizations.