Barry Goldwater Scholarship

DEADLINES

Online application availability

Early September; Check www.goldwater.scholarsapply.org  for details

Campus deadline

Late December-early January; candidates may not apply directly

National deadline

Late January

ELIGIBILITY

Applicant education level

Sophomores or juniors

Open to applicants who have

completed an undergraduate degree?

No

Open to applicants not currently

enrolled in college/university classes?

No

Open to (non-U.S.) international students?

No; however, permanent residents may apply

Age limit

None

Are applicants limited to specific fields of study?

Yes

Are students required to demonstrate financial need?

No

Minimum G.P.A.

3.00; but academic excellence is a must

Average G.P.A. of recipients

3.96

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

UAA Institutional Endorsement

An institutional endorsement is required to apply for a Goldwater Scholarship

The Goldwater Scholarship Campus Interview Committee will evaluate the overall merits of the candidate and the application material submitted and will make a decision of endorsement or non-endorsement at the end of the campus interview

See more details below under Application Procedure

Advising Appointment

Schedule an advising appointment with the Goldwater Scholarship Campus Representative, Dr. Holly Martinson, at hamartinson@alaska.edu or at 907.786.4672 to discuss intent to apply

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The central objective of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation is identifying and supporting a significant pool of highly-qualified undergraduates who will subsequently be obtaining advanced degrees and becoming leading scientists, engineers, and mathematicians

The Barry Goldwater Scholarships are awarded to outstanding undergraduates who intend to pursue a research career

AWARD BENEFITS

Pays for tuition, fees, books, and room and board

Stipend/Benefits

Up to $7,500 per year

Can the award be deferred?

No

Can the award be renewed?

No

Specific notes and/or exceptions

For more information about eligibility requirements, please visit: www.goldwater.scholarsapply.org

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Basic characteristic sought by Review Committee:

• Since the scholarship is awarded on the basis of merit, applicants should have excellent academic records and demonstrated interest in and potential for research careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering

• Applicants should make a compelling case that they intend to and will actually pursue a research career

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Extensive undergraduate research experience, publications, a long list of challenging coursework, an ambitious research program, and graduate school plans are necessary to be able to craft a competitive application for the Goldwater Scholarship

• Find a faculty member willing to serve as your mentor throughout the application process
• Notify the Goldwater Scholarship Campus Representative, Dr. Holly Martinson, at hamartinson@alaska.edu or at 907.786.4672 of your intent to apply the semester before you plan to apply for the award
• Schedule an advising appointment with the Goldwater Scholarship Campus Representative to discuss internal processes and timelines
• Start completing the application once the Goldwater Scholarship Campus Representative registers you with the Goldwater Scholarship Foundation
• Select three (3) instructors from whom you have taken upper-division courses in your discipline or have supervised your research/lab experiences to write letters of recommendation on your behalf
• Instructors should be familiar with your undergraduate research experience and graduate school plans so as to be able to comment in great detail on your academic merit, your researching potential, and your post-Goldwater plans
• Tips for recommenders are available at www.goldwater.scholarsapply.org
• Start developing your research essay, as this is one of the most challenging and critical components of the application
• Submit complete application online, including all letters of recommendation, by the CAMPUS DEADLINE
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted

• Prepare for individual CAMPUS INTERVIEW, which will take place within 1-2 weeks after the campus deadline
• Institutional Endorsement/Nomination: the Goldwater Scholarship Campus Interview Committee will evaluate the overall merits of the candidate and the application material submitted and will make a decision of endorsement or non-endorsement at the end of the campus interview
• The decision of the Goldwater Scholarship Campus Interview Committee is definitive
• If the candidate is endorsed, then an institutional endorsement will be formally submitted by the Goldwater Scholarship Campus Representative to the Goldwater Scholarship Foundation

SELECTION PROCESS

Number of applications received

~1,200

Number of applications rewarded

~260

Is an interview required?

Campus interview: Yes

National interview: No

When are qualifying candidates notified?

N/A

When are winning candidates notified?

End of March

CONTACT INFORMATION

Goldwater Scholarship Campus Representative

Dr. Kenrick Mock

Office

ECB 308C

Phone

907.786.1956

Email address

hamartinson@alaska.edu

INFORMATION SESSIONS

There are no webinars available for applicants

Schedule an advising appointment with the Goldwater Scholarship Campus Representative at hamartinson@alaska.edu  or at 907.786.4672