February 11, 2010
Center for Experiential Learning helps undergraduates through the competitive scholarship process
Editor’s Note: This is the last part of University Week’s four-part series describing the work of the Center for Experiential Learning. A part of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, the center includes seven programs that deal with student learning experiences beyond the classroom. This week we offer a look into the many undergraduate scholarship opportunities.
Wallis Thompson says that she has wanted to be a researcher ever since she was young, and that the UW has always been part of that dream.
The junior biochemistry major recently received the Mary Gates Research Scholarship. “The major obstacle I face [at UW] is extreme difficulty obtaining funds to pay for tuition,” said Thompson. “Winning the Mary Gates Research Scholarship has allowed me to continue attending school.”
Beyond receiving tuition support, Thompson believes she benefited from the process of proposing her first grant. “It was enlightening and empowering,” she said. “One of the most important skills a career scientist needs to have is the ability to write a successful grant proposal.”
Thompson received a Mary Gates Research Scholarship, which is one of four types of Mary Gates Scholarships. The others are the Mary Gates Leadership, Honors and Venture Scholarships. These scholarships are funded by the Mary Gates Endowment for Students, which is dedicated exclusively to undergraduate students.
Students applying for a Leadership Scholarship should be able to articulate what they believe leadership is, their goals and how their project will help them achieve those goals. The student also needs a mentor, who can be a staff member, faculty member, or someone in the community. If awarded the scholarship, the student engages with the community in a project that he or she is passionate about. For example, UW senior Charles Atkinson is leading a film project documenting homelessness in Seattle. He hopes this will expand awareness about the causes of and solutions to homelessness.
Venture Scholarships vary a great deal and provide funds for projects that students develop on their own. The projects should be innovative and contribute to a discipline or community.
Jodene Davis, Mary Gates Endowment coordinator, described a past student’s Venture project called “Airport Dance.” Alice Gosti, now a graduate of the dance program, created a dance that was only to be performed in airports. She then performed the dance in airports around the world and recorded it on camera. You can read more about Gosti’s project here.
Mary Gates Honors Scholarships are awarded to students within the honors program. They are for students who show a strong commitment to a rigorous course of study and to making the most of their UW education.
Staff in the scholarships area want the process of applying to be useful to students regardless of the outcome.
“We think that feedback is a very important part of our role with undergraduates,” said Davis. “If the student didn’t get the scholarship, we want to talk to them and give them feedback. We also offer advising and workshops. … Students gain from the process even if they don’t get the scholarship.”
Davis also emphasized that the staff, faculty, and community mentors are integral to the scholarship recipient’s experience.
“It’s a collaborative program, and the students benefit greatly from their staff/faculty mentor. We couldn’t do it without their support,” Davis said.
Also under the umbrella of the Center for Experiential Learning is the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowship & Awards. It’s another resource for undergraduates, aiding in their search for scholarships and other funding opportunities.
“We really want to demystify the sense that a lot of students have that scholarships are only for the most elite students,” said Robin Chang, assistant director. “Really there are a lot of scholarships out there. All students should look into it, and we’re here to help them with that search.”
The Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards is devoted to helping students develop the tools and personal insights to become competitive in the scholarship process. It offers one-to-one advising, workshops and feedback to students during the application process.
“With the budget cuts, we no longer can offer our annual Scholarship/Fellowship Fair,” said Mona Pitre-Collins, director. “So instead we’ve created other opportunities like ‘Monday brown bag’ sessions, where we discuss scholarships for a particular major or field. Students can then learn about the opportunities they might be interested in and ask questions. We’re finding ways to do more with less.”
Outreach to undergraduates is very important to the Office of Merit Scholarships.
“We try to connect with students early,” said Pitre-Collins. “That way we can help them to become stronger applicants for many scholarships and other opportunities. For example, we offer seminars for first quarter sophomores and second quarter freshman.”
The Office of Merit Scholarships also works closely with staff and faculty. They have referral cards that faculty can fill out to recommend a student. Faculty also sit on selection committees to pick scholarship nominees for many of the national scholarships.
Pitre-Collins and Chang believe that the process of applying for a scholarship is a growth stimulating experience for undergraduates.
“Even for students who unfortunately don’t end up getting the scholarship,” said Chang, “it’s ultimately a good experience. They put blood, sweat and tears into the application process and gain insights into themselves.”
The other scholarship opportunity in the Center for Experiential Learning is Global Opportunities.
“The goal of the GO Scholarship is to expand international opportunities to students who traditionally haven’t been able to study abroad,” said Catherine Rizos, one of the program’s advisers.
Global Opportunities offers two scholarships: Global Opportunities (Go!) Scholarship and the Fritz Undergraduate Scholarship.
The Washington State Legislature funds the Global Opportunities Scholarship. It helps students with financial need to afford studying abroad. Undergraduates who are eligible for Husky Promise and Pell Grants may apply.
“It just started last year,” said Rizos. “Students can go almost anywhere in the world. It’s exciting to see students be able to study abroad. We are here to provide students with information about our scholarships, and the many opportunities for study and research abroad through the UW.”
The Fritz Scholarship is for students majoring in the Humanities and Social Sciences. The awards typically range between $2,000-5,000 for international study or research.
There are many scholarship opportunities for undergraduates, including additional scholarships through the Undergraduate Research Program and the Carlson Center. Advisers from all of these programs said that they really want to meet with students and help them navigate through the process.
