Goldwater Scholarship
Deadline: December 17, 2007 at CURF
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship was authorized by the United States Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The creation of this program pays tribute to the leadership, courage, and vision of Senator Goldwater and establishes in his name an endowed recognition program to foster and encourage excellence in science and mathematics.
The purpose of the program is to alleviate a critical shortage of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. It also aims to provide a continuing source of highly qualified individuals to those fields of academic study and research.
The Foundation will award undergraduate scholarships to outstanding students in the spring for use during the following academic years. The awards will be made on the basis of merit to two groups of students--those who will be college juniors and those who will be college seniors in the academic year in which the scholarship will be used--who have outstanding potential and intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. A student must be nominated by his or her college or university to be considered for the scholarship. Each scholarship covers expenses for tuition, books, fees, and room and board, to a maximum of $7,500 per year. Junior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for a maximum of two years of scholarly support, and senior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for a maximum of one year of scholarship support.
In awarding scholarships, the Foundation will consider the nominee's field of study and career objectives and the extent to which that individual has the commitment and potential to make a significant contribution to his or her field. It is expected that students selected as scholars will pursue advanced degrees. Students who plan to study medicine are eligible for a Goldwater Scholarship only if they plan a research career rather than a career as a medical doctor in a private practice.
Eligibility and Qualifications
- Be a full-time matriculated sophomore or junior during the academic year. "Sophomore" is defined as a student who plans two more years of full-time undergraduate study. "Junior" is defined as a student who plans one more year of full-time undergraduate study.
- Have a college grade-point average of at least a B (or the equivalent) and be in the upper fourth of his or her class.
- Be a U.S. citizen, a resident alien, or, in the case of nominees from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, a U.S. national. Applications from resident aliens must include a letter of the nominee's intent to obtain U.S. citizenship and a photocopy of the Alien Registration Card.
- Demonstrated potential for and commitment to a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering, including current and recent research activity
- Outstanding academic performance
Application Procedures and Selection Criteria
- Nominee information form
- Essay
- Unofficial transcript
- Three letters of recommendation
Timeframe
An independent review committee appointed by the Foundation will evaluate all valid nominations and recommend the most outstanding nominees from each state for consideration by the Foundation. There are no interviews.
From among the candidates recommended by the independent review committee, the Foundation will name up to 300 Barry M. Goldwater Scholars. The number of scholarships to be awarded per state will depend on the number of the nominees from the 53 jurisdictions.
Contact
Cheryl Shipman
Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships
The ARCH, 3601 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6224
shipman@pobox.upenn.edu
Phone: 215-746-6488
Fax: 215-573-4869
http://www.upenn.edu/curf