Important Application Information
&
Insights from National Selection Committee
Dr. Julia Goldberg, Associate Dean of the College
http://externalscholarships.lafayette.edu/
externalscholarships@lafayette.edu
October 2014
1
GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITE
www.act.org/goldwater
2
CAREER GOAL
In one or two sentences, describe your career goal.
Example: Ph.D. in Molecular Biology. Conduct research in
biomedical science and teach at the university level.
You may provide a more detailed description of your career goals.
3
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
List past and present research activities associated with your
interests in mathematics, science, or engineering in which
you regularly participate.
Explain the duration, degree, and significance of your
involvement, including what responsibilities you had in the
project.
In the absence of formal research experience, describe
briefly any other skills or accomplishments, i.e., posters,
presentations, publications, etc., significant and relevant to
this application.
4
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES, CON’T.
 Have you regularly participated in research associated with
your interests in STEM (yes/no)…if “yes” then:
 In reverse chronological order (from most to least recent),
list up to 5 research activities:
 Start dateEnd date
 Hours/Week
 Name of PI or Supervisor
 Purpose of research (1000 characters incl. spaces)
 Products of your work (written reports, abstracts or papers
authored, posters or talk presentations at scientific meetings,
etc. including those anticipated and/or in progress)
5
6
PROFESSIONAL ASPIRATIONS
What are your professional aspirations?
Indicate in which area(s) of mathematics, science, or
engineering you are considering making your career and
specify how your current academic program and your overall
educational plans will assist you in achieving this goal.
7
MOTIVATION FOR STEM CAREER
Describe an activity or experience that has been important in
clarifying or strengthening your motivation for a career in
science, mathematics, or engineering.
8
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Goldwater Scholars will be representative of the diverse
economic, ethnic, and occupational backgrounds of families
in the United States.
Describe any characteristics or other personal information
about yourself or your family that you wish to share with the
selection committee.
9
PERSONAL INFORMATION
 Personal information is optional.
 Encouraged to complete this section
 Personal information is a minor factor compared to major
evaluation criteria
 Level of detail is left to nominee
 Personal information is never negative in the review
 Helpful for nominees who have non-traditional
background or an inconsistency in the application.
 Impact of economic or ethnic background
 Impact of employment as undergraduate
10
RESEARCH ESSAY: 2 PGS/11 PT FONT
Discuss a significant issue or problem of particular interest.
The essay must include a/an:
• description of the issue or problem,
• discussion of an idea for research that would have significant impact on
•
•
•
•
the issue or problem,
description of an aspect of the research in which you would be
involved,
explanation of issue/problem’s relevance to you,
indication of the collaborative or individual participation in the
research, and
bibliography/references & illustrations (where appropriate).
The essay’s content & style is important! Assume that the reader will
have the expertise to read, review, and understand the complexities of
the field of specialty.
11
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
 3 LORs: 2 faculty (at least 1 from a faculty member in
student’s field of study), 1 from recommender who
supervised student’s research where applicable
 From those who know student’s work WELL & can
assess student’s personal characteristics, motivation &
potential for a STEM research career
 Best LORs come from faculty in the student’s field of
study &/or from those who have supervised the
student’s work in a research facility
12
RECOMMENDATIONS, CON’T: LOR INSTRUCTIONS
Please evaluate the applicant's: Personal characteristics;
Motivation; Potential for a career in STEM.
Your evaluation must address: Criteria on which you base
your judgments & How the applicant meets your criteria.
Provide specific examples that illustrate the applicant's
performance, maturity, initiative, and potential.
13
RECOMMENDATIONS, CON’T
 Write a detailed 1-2 page letter.
 not an application for grad school or a job
 Concentrate on motivation and potential for a research career.
 ‘A’ student is assumed
 avoid ‘turned in assignments on time,’ etc.
 avoid ‘how difficult my course is,’ etc.
 OK for nominee to be a ‘nerd’
* Compare to other students who have gone on to PhD programs &
research careers.
 evaluation at comparable stage of applicant’s career
14
CAMPUS APPLICATION
 Deadline: 9 December 2014
 http://externalscholarships.lafayette.edu/scholarships/goldwater





scholarship
Complete application on-line but do not submit through
Goldwater—submit via our external scholarships website’s “submit
materials” tab!!!!
Submit separate 2 page Research Essay as WORD document
Provide names of Recommenders (provide recommenders with
“Goldwater” instructions/advice found on our website)
Letters of Recommendation submitted to Dean Goldberg directly
as WORD documents via email.
Official Transcripts (Hard Copy from Registrar’s Office)
Signed Waiver/Release form
15
CAMPUS APPLICATION, CON’T
 Website has “Application Notes”/advice for applicants as well as
for recommenders—Refer to these notes frequently!
 Campus Selection Committee will nominate up to 4 candidates
Nominated candidates:
 Revise application prior to official submission in January (expect
multiple revisions)
 Work closely with Dean Goldberg, Committee, and your faculty as
you revise
 Recommenders may be asked to modify/expand their original
LORs to ensure content coincides with candidate’s responses
16
OFFICIAL DEADLINE
 Electronic Materials must be received by 23 January 2015
 Letters of Rec must be received by 27 January 2015
 Supporting Documents must be received by 30 January 2015
###
 Goldwater expects to receive over 1,200 applications
 Approx. 300 scholars will be selected; approx. 200 may be
honorable mentions
 Approx. 4% chance of recognition (~25% A; ~16% HM)
17
GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITE
www.act.org/goldwater
www.act.org/goldwater/apply/index.html
18
19
20
21