FAQ

1. What are Fellowships & Awards?
Nationally Competitive fellowships and awards support undergraduate and graduate study, research, or teaching in the U.S. and countries around the world. Recipients of scholarships become leaders in their fields of study and in their communities.

2. What financial support do fellowships and awards provide for recipients?
 Each award is different. Some cover graduate school tuition; others cover university fees, a living stipend, transportation costs, and/or books.

3. Who is eligible to apply for fellowships and awards?
Most awards are for seniors or recent graduates, but several are designed for undergraduate students who have distinguished themselves in and out of the classroom. Undergraduate scholarships include the DAAD (German Academic awards), Goldwater, and Udall. Graduate fellowships and awards include the Fulbright, Marshall, Rhodes, and Madison, among others. A list of awards and DePauw advisors can be found at http://www.depauw.edu/univ/graduate/fellowships.asp.

4. What kind of degree should I have to apply for a nationally competitive award?
Most fellowships and awards for seniors and recent graduates require a bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate scholarships require that you be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program.

5. How do I know if I am a strong candidate for a fellowship or award?
Each award has a different focus, so it is important to look at the sponsoring foundation's goals and requirements. Successful candidates have strong academic records; they have participated in service to the community; they are able to communicate ideas clearly and to think critically; and they demonstrate intellectual curiosity across a variety of subjects while focusing on one area in which to pursue their study. Those who are successful in the international scholarships often have study abroad experience and/or foreign language experience.

6. Do I need DePauw’s approval to apply for a competitive fellowship or award?
Some awards require a nomination from DePauw in order for your application to be considered. You are strongly encouraged to work with a faculty member through the application process so s/he can help answer any questions you have and also help you submit a strong application.

7. When do I apply for fellowships and awards?
Most fellowships and awards do not require application until the fall term of the senior year, but students who think they may be interested in post-graduate study should have in mind the general criteria for selection in order to plan an effective course of study. At a minimum, begin to prepare for applying no later than the summer before your senior year.

8. Am I allowed to apply for more than one fellowship or award?
Yes, but consider carefully 1) whether you will be able to keep up in your academic work and other commitments while completing multiple applications (many are time-consuming); 2) whether you’re eligible for each scholarship; and 3) whether the scholarships match your goals and will enable you to do the kind of work you most want to do.

9. What are my chances for receiving an award?
Each fellowship and award has a different type of applicant and number of applications. Some foundations award only one scholarship each year while others award over 100. While applying for a scholarship is competitive, working with a DePauw faculty advisor and planning early can help to increase your chances of success.

10. Will I need to take any entrance exams for graduate school?
In most cases, you will need to take a graduate entrance exam, such as the GRE. However, for some academic pursuits abroad, you will not need to have entrance exam scores. Because these scholarships are competitive, you are encouraged to take an entrance exam you might need for entry to a graduate program in the United States.

11. What kind of GPA requirements should I expect?
Some graduate fellowships such as the Marshall and Rhodes require exceptionally high GPAs. Other scholarships are not as strict about the GPA. Virtually all look for students who have demonstrated leadership and who have contributed significantly to the community.

12. Will I be interviewed by a selection committee?
Some scholarships, but not all, require campus interviews; a few have regional interviews as well. It’s important to prepare thoroughly for these interviews, following the advice of the scholarship advisor. Preparatory interviews have contributed to the success of recent Truman and Carnegie winners, in particular.

13. What is involved in applying for an award?
The majority of applications require you to write a personal statement; many require a detailed research proposal; and several ask you to write a series of short essays on specific topics. All applications must be accompanied by letters of recommendation from faculty members who know you and your work well. A few require a campus and/or a regional interview. Some scholarships require you to be accepted into a program of study independently of your application for the scholarship.

14. I’ve heard it’s a lot of work to apply for a fellowship or award. Is it worth the time and effort it takes to apply?
It is worth applying for a fellowship or award if you fit the criteria set by the foundation, even if your chances of winning the award are slim. The process of applying may allow you to clarify your academic goals, and the experience and self-knowledge you gain is likely to make you a stronger candidate for graduate study in your particular discipline. DePauw applicants for competive awards, even those who did not win the award for which they applied, have distinguished themselves by earning admission to top academic graduate programs in the U.S. and abroad.