<p>I know many of you have extensive experience with the Goldwater Scholarship application process. And I was hoping you could help me to understand what I need and if I am a viable candidate for the scholarship.</p>
<p>First off, I am a freshman, but this year is almost done, and I have a whole summer to do activities. And the application is due after Christmas break, so really, I hope I'm not being too premature when thinking its a good time to start planning. </p>
<p>I go to a big research university and am currently working in a lab. I am majoring in molecular biology - biochemistry, and still deciding between pursuing an MD, PhD or both. I am letting my coursework tell me what I like most.</p>
<p>I am however, active with my research and will continue through the summer, and next fall. I have applied to three summer research fellowships to ensure I will be on my feet throughout the summer. I am still exploring whether I want to practice medicine, and wanted to get a summer job at the university hospital. But I know that practicing medicine is a big no-no for the scholarship. So what do you think?</p>
<p>I wanted to know how best to present myself, and more importantly, what else must I do (or not do?) in order to be an appealing candidate. I am not treating it like a checklist, as I was going to continue research regardless, and will continue courses in the sciences regardless. But I just want the best possible chance I can muster for myself.</p>
<p>There are a few issues that concern me. Firstly, are many of the recipients chosen based on socioeconomic issues? I do not think I would qualify if yes. And, is the need for financial aid considered? </p>
<p>OP: I’m surprised no one has responded to your question.</p>
<p>Does your school have an office to help with this process? All the students I know who have been awarded Goldwater, Truman, Marshall, Cambridge, Fulbright, Rhodes, etc. awards have been at colleges with an office that oversees applications for this type of scholarship, described by another parent in a different thread as national scholarships, a label previously unfamiliar to me. This office identified potentially successful candidates and mentored them through the process. Upperclassmen, previous award winners, gave advice and shared successful applications. Even so it was a huge time commitment. My impression is that it is unusual to win the award as a freshman but know students who were unsuccessful as freshman but successful the following year as sophomores (hoping I have years right here; sometimes I am confused on when these awards are actually officially awarded) Socioeconomic issues: I don’t know the answer to your question but know Goldwater students who were on FA, those who were full pay and a few who already had merit awards covering all their college expenses.</p>
<p>I am pretty sure that the application has to go through your college scholarship committee, and you have to be nominated by your college to be considered for the scholarship.</p>
<p>Talking to your school's fellowship adviser would be a good first step.</p>
<p>You do need to be nominated by your college for the Goldwater. Each university may nominate up to 4 students - most universities have an internal competition for the 4 slots.</p>
<p>First, keep doing research. That's what the Goldwater is all about. Second, if you are seriously considering a MD degree, the Goldwater is NOT for you. The Goldwater funds students who plan a research career. Yes, you can have a MD/PhD as a goal. Be honest about your aspirations.</p>
<p>You can apply for the Goldwater as a sophomore or junior. In general, 1/3 of winners are sophomores, 2/3 are juniors. If you don't win as a sophomore, you can reapply the next year. I encourage my students to apply as sophomores . . . we've been quite successful with sophomores and even if they aren't nominated or don't win, it's great practice and helps them focus their goals.</p>
<p>Need is not a factor. It's purely merit based.</p>
<p>If you have a scholarship/fellowship office at your school, visit it soon. It's never too early to start thinking about major scholarships. </p>
<p>I am planning on contacting the office and hopefully meeting with the supervisor.
I know my chemistry teacher recommended these scholarships to us, and maybe I should ask his help first. I am sorry for being unaware of the whole process, but how does one get nominated? Do I show interest or have a faculty member bring my name up?</p>
<p>I am also worried about the whole MD/PhD thing. I don't want to come across as a phony, that's why I am pursuing research and clinical work. I hope this will help.</p>
<p>I have seen winners listed with MD/PhD as their intended graduate work, but they really are looking for folks headed into research.</p>
<p>OP, have you looked at the Goldwater website? They have guidelines, etc. The criteria each school has for potential candidates varies. Some school require a different GPA than others. The four candidates are the total that may be nominated and includes sophs and juniors. The awards are made for the junior and senior years of college. </p>
<p>Chatting with your advisor (departmental level is better) is a good place to start, or checking your school's website to see who the designated contact may be.</p>
<p>I have looked at the information my school provides, but they do not come out and give any requirements. I have contacted the adviser for help on where to get started. </p>
<p>I have been seeing many profiles lately, and many successful candidates seem to be on top of the game from early on. What I mean is that it was not uncommon to see valedictorians and salutatorians getting the award. I for one was not that highly ranked in high school. Is that detrimental to my efforts?</p>
<p>Not sure how much high school records count, however I do seem to recall that D (honorable mention) might have had to supply SAT scores and a high school transcript for her Goldwater application. As others have advised you, your school makes the decision about who is nominated. After D was chosen by her school's internal Goldwater selection committee the fellowship office was very helpful in offering advice and helping her meet deadline. And the internal application deadline was much earlier than the deadline for the final application. The application required no financial information at all. Make an appointment with the office at your school that handles these scholarship and fellowship processes. They can best answer your questions andl advise you how to proceed.</p>
<p>HS GPA does not matter for the Goldwater. Demonstrated potential for research does, and is the most critical factor, so having a faculty member under who you have done research is essential. </p>
<p>Another, frequently overlooked factor is the quality of the essays. It is never too early to start working on them. </p>
<p>Planning on an MD/PhD is fine. What they don’t want is MD only students, but they don’t ask you to make any guarantees!</p>
<p>Winning a goldwater is a great springboard to top grad school admissions as well as things like Rhodes/Marshall?Gates</p>
<p>I have arranged a meeting with my Honors College scholarship adviser to discuss the Goldwater and other scholarships. I am guessing that this will be the same person that will at least in part decide which four students to nominate to compete. Is there anything special that I need to do to in order to seem like a viable candidate? Such as bring any paperwork, or information on my research, class schedules etc? Basically, is this a very important meeting? I just don’t want my endeavor to end too suddenly…</p>
<p>It depends on how your school does things. Generally, the scholarship advisors have input to the selection, but the decisions will be made late next year, after they see your recs, spring grades and first draft of your essays.</p>
<p>In my D’s group a few years ago, a key factor was willingness to follow directions and take advice, believe it or not. I knew her advisor and a few other key figures pretty well, and they related to me how one candidate un-nominated himself because he just would not listen. </p>
<p>At this point, I suspect the adviser is trying to sell you on being willing to do the work to become a candidate. It IS a great deal of work, and some students shy away because they think they have no chance, perhaps. So advisers work the crowd so to speak in order to get a decent pool to start the process. </p>
<p>So, anything special? Only if you were told to do something. Otherwise, listen carefully and be enthusiastic.</p>
<p>Judging from the last Goldwater thread here it does seem like a lot of work. </p>
<p>Its good to hear this may just be an introductory meeting, low pressure. That’s surprising some students don’t follow up with it. </p>
<p>Now, I think I read on the other thread that selection is also based on where you live. I go to school in PA, but am from RI. Do you think that’s an advantage or disadvantage coming from such a small state? </p>
<p>There is some sort of congressional district distribution aspect to the Goldwater but no one I know understands how it works. I don’t think there’s a discernable advantage (or disadvantage) coming from a small state vs a large state. The most important things are excellent grades, letters of recommendation, and research experience and potential.</p>