Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships

1. Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Hanna Lee SAC 116, 610-519-8852 hanna.lee@villanova.edu Jane Morris SAC 138, 610-519-5928 jane.morris@villanova.edu http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/college/academics/curf/

2. Prestigious Fellowships • Graduate, deadlines in the Fall • Rhodes • Marshall • Gates Cambridge • Fulbright • Undergraduate, deadlines in the Spring • Goldwater • Sophomores or Juniors who are planning research careers in science, engineering or math • Udall • Sophomores or Juniors who are environmental activists • Truman • Juniors planning careers in public service

3. Rhodes Scholarships(Online) 32 grants awarded annually for two years of study at Oxford University. Criteria: Literary and scholastic attainments; character, including devotion to duty, unselfishness, and fellowship; moral force and the instinct to lead; physical vigor as shown by fondness for sports. www.rhodesscholar.org Deadline: Early October

4. Marshall Scholarships(Online) Up to 40 awards for two years study in any British university. Criteria: Distinction of character and intellect as evidenced by scholastic and other achievements; potential to play a strong role in a British university. Applicant should be prepared to present a definite program of study at specific universities. www.marshallscholarship.org Deadlines: Early October

5. Gates Cambridge Scholarships One - three years tuition plus stipend for students working towards an advanced degree or second bachelor’s degree at the University of Cambridge. Criteria: Candidates must hold an “honours degree or its equivalent” and demonstrate excellent academic achievement and scholarly potential. www.gatesscholar.org Deadlines: Early October (mailing deadline)

6. Fulbright Grants(Online)http://us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html 950 research, teaching assistantship, and internship grants offered annually for a year or more abroad; competitiveness depends on the country to which you apply. Criteria: Feasible, well-defined project or course of study in a specific country for which the applicant is well-prepared in terms of academic background and language proficiency. Deadlines: October 19 (online submission deadline)

7. More Graduate Fellowships and Grants for Engineering Students • National Science Foundation – Nov. 10 deadline for Chemistry • NDSEG – January 5, 2009 (2010 date not posted) • Hertz – October 30, 2009 • Sustainability Fellowships • AAAS Sustainability website: http://sustainabilityscience.org/index.html • Current: http://sustainabilityscience.org/opportunity.html?Type=JU • Full listing: http://sustsci.aaas.org/files/Fellowship%20Programs%20v1.pdf

8. General Criteria • Academic excellence • >3.7 GPA • Evidence of scholarly potential • Leadership • Service • Not just a list of resume builders – path • Program of study

9. More Undergraduate Opportunities for Students in the Sciences • Fellowships • SMART – December 15, 2009 • http://www.asee.org/fellowships/smart/ • Department of Homeland Security – January • http://www.orau.gov/dhsed/ • Research • Villanova Undergraduate Research Program: www.villanova.edu/uga • NSF REU’s: http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/index.jsp • DAAD Rise: http://www.daad.de/rise/en/index.html

10. Application Process • CURF office • “brain storm” • resume – critical path • General meeting • Preliminary application • On-campus interviews

11. The Application Process General Tips • Follow directions. • Answer questions accurately. • List activities that have sustained involvement - quality not quantity. • Focus on activities in line with the award. Show how you fit with the scholarship’s mission. • Focus on your leadership and contributions. Make your contributions known. • Review and revise.

12. The Application Process Honors, Awards & Activities List • Not intended to be a resume • List pertinent activities, experiences, honors, awards, prizes • Includes dates, brief description • List individualized – categories may include: Honors, Awards, Prizes, & Scholarship; College Academic Honors Research Experiences; Research/Work Volunteer Services; Advocacy Work; Community Involvement Extracurricular & Community Activities; Activities Athletic Record, Athletic Distinctions Experiences (work/internship); International Study

13. The Application Process Essays • Personal -- what you have done and how those experiences have served to inform your life and present/future choices • Study/Research Proposal -- details of course of study, your qualifications, how it was chosen, and how it will help you move closer to achieving career goals Campus Writing Guides – CURF, Writing Center, Advisors, Professors, Mentors.

14. The Application Process Recommendations WHO: Faculty, University Staff, Community leaders, Members of the Clergy, etc., who: • Have first-hand knowledge of your work, • Can address different characteristics and strengths, • Can write about you with confidence and enthusiasm. PROVIDE LETTER WRITERS with copies of materials, information about the award, previous work from their class, project or program to refresh their memory. Request at least one month before deadline date. Be prepared for a rejection, especially if request is last minute.

15. National Competitions Ways to improve your chances with prestigious national scholarships • Develop oral communication/articulation skills • - Take a speech communication class • - Read avidly to improve vocabulary • Cultivate your knowledge of current affairs - local, state, federal, & world. • - Read daily national newspapers and journals • - Participate in current event discussion & debates

16. Scholarship Workshop • Saturday, September 5, SAC 103; 8:00 am-4:00 pm • Daniel DiCenso, 2005 Gates Cambridge Scholar