Focused student in safety glasses operating a drill press in a school workshop

First year

Prestigious scholarships are very competitive, but if you start preparing early in your academic career, you will be in a better position for success.

Tips

  • Take courses that will develop your academic interests and provide clarity for your career goals.
  • Get to know your advisors and faculty who can provide mentoring while building relationships that can provide application support with a letter of recommendation.
  • Explore research opportunities with the Undergraduate Research Center, or URC, and other research labs of interest.
  • Join campus clubs or volunteer with service organizations to identify meaningful leadership or public service opportunities that relate to your interests.
  • Visit the Career Center for guidance on building a detailed resume of your activities, awards, and research. 
  • Schedule an appointment with a prestigious scholarship advisor to discuss career goals, identify suitable scholarships, and develop a plan to strengthen your application.

Prestigious scholarships to explore

Two field researchers in grassland, one holds a small turtle while the other records on a clipboard

Planning for your second year

Look at the Barry M. GoldwaterDAAD Rise, NOAA Hollings, or Udall scholarships and decide if you will apply as a second-year student. Goldwater scholars will have a demonstrated record of research involvement and will be working towards a solution for a problem in their field.