Scholarships
Preparation for Selected Prestigious Scholarships
The scholarships reviewed and adumbrated in the following messages are: The Rhodes, The British Marshall, The Goldwater, The Truman, and The Udall. It should go without saying that these nationally competitive scholarships are awarded to the very best students in America. In order to be competitive the student must prepare in advance and make a serious commitment of time and energy. Applicants will work through the Honors College and only very highly qualified and committed students will have their applications forwarded to the selection committees of the respective prestigious scholarships. (For additional information please contact the Honors College at 410-704-4677 or email honors@towson.edu)
It may be important to note that for finalists oral interviews are a part of most prestigious scholarships. A candidate should be prepared to talk about ideas, defend positions, debate issues, and remain secure and confident in confrontational situations.
While requirements vary with each scholarship, all scholarships have in common the necessity of advanced preparation. We cannot emphasize too strongly this aspect of the application process. You may need from six months to a year to credential yourself to be a serious competitor. So, please be mindful of the work involved, as well as the great rewards.
If you are considering applying for one of the following scholarships, please contact the Honors College office at honors@towson.edu or 410-704-4677.
The Rhodes Scholarship
In addition to proven academic and intellectual achievement of high standard (this should include individualized study, research, and creative activities), the Rhodes applicant is required to show integrity of character, interest in and respect for fellow human beings, and the ability to lead. In other words, to be a successful candidate, you must do more than excel in academics. You must provide examples of integrity of character (what have you done to show the kind of person you are), commitment to your fellow human being (who you helped and how), and examples of how you have been a leader (where and in what you have been exemplary and taken the lead). By implication, you must have evidence of how you have acted in the larger world.
Perhaps an even more important part of the application is a 600-word essay that must be of a high intellectual caliber. This essay reveals the quality of your mind, and cannot be an everyday autobiography. In addition to a persuasive presentation of your academic interests, you must convince the readers of your desire to study at Oxford, and what your program of study will be. This requires you to do some advanced research on Oxford. To be successful, you must learn something about its programs and faculty. Please be prepared to write several drafts of this essay.
Finally, you must have at least four excellent academic recommendations. So you must prepare for this in advance. Work well and intensively with faculty you hope to get a recommendation from so they can give you the strongest recommendations possible.
For more information visit http://www.rhodesscholar.org/
The British Marshall Scholarship
Like the Rhodes, this scholarship requires a high degree of academic achievement. In addition to outstanding grades, awards, scholarships and grants, are very desirable. Here, as in the Rhodes, an essay is necessary. There is a 1,000-word essay in which you describe your academic interests and pursuits. Again, it is the quality of your ideas, erudition, and imagination that are of the foremost importance. The essay should reflect a rigorous academic mind.
In addition to the above essay, the British Marshall requires a second essay of 500 words. This is vitally important and requires research. You must explain why you are pursuing this particular course of study, and why you prefer the British institution you have chosen. You must, in advance, find out which UK institutions offer the program of study you want and why their program is important to you. This will take time, so start soon. You should expect to do several drafts of these essays. (Your program may have other requirements, like language proficiency).
For more information visit: http://www.marshallscholarship.org/
The Goldwater Scholarship
The characteristics the Goldwater Foundation seeks in candidates: commitment to a career in math, natural sciences, or engineering, a student of promise who displays intellectual intensity, and potential for significant future contribution in his/her field. This is clearly a research-oriented award where most of the candidates are expected to pursue a doctoral degree.
Students are expected to have either research experience or independent investigation of a theory relevant to his/her field. This means preparing in advance so that you can present a convincing case that you fulfill these requirements.
Additionally, you will have to write about your career aspirations and how you will achieve them; any activities or experiences that will clarify your motivation for a career in science; and a 600 word essay on a significant issue or problem in your field of study that is of interest to you. This latter essay requires some research and preparation. Here too, the committee will be looking for the quality of your mind as well as your experiences.
For more information visit: http://www.act.org/goldwater/ or contact the Assistant Dean of the Honors College, Erin Mountz at emountz@towson.edu
The Truman Scholarship
The GPA of the winner of the Truman is in the 3.8 range; so that gives you some idea of the necessity of academic excellence. But more is required of the Truman Scholar. Among other qualifications, the applicant must have an extensive record of public and community service, be committed to a career in government or some other part of the public sector, and also show outstanding leadership potential. To acquire these credentials may take time and it is best to start early. To write a successful application, you must be able to give examples of leadership, describe your public service, describe the needs and problems you will address when you enter public service, and write an 800 word essay on a significant public policy issue or problem in your intended area of study. This takes some research time. You are expected to put in at least 60 hours to prepare your application. (Recommendations are very important and must represent the diversity of your experience.)
For more information visit: http://www.truman.gov/for-scholars
The Udall Scholarship
The Udall requires preparation for the following reasons: first, you must have courses in public policy and ethics outside your environmental science major. Thus you must plan your schedule early. Second, public service and community activities related to public policy and environment are necessary and also take time to acquire. Finally, in a 600-word essay you must discuss Congressman Udall's major achievements and what they mean to you. This requires much advanced research and thought. All of the above must be tied into a solid perspective that elucidates your motivation for a career in environmental public policy.
For more information visit: http://www.udall.gov/
Honors College
Stephens Hall, Room 302 (map)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Phone: 410-704-4677
Fax: 410-704-4916
E-mail: honors@towson.edu
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