Leadership Review Process & Selection Criteria
Review Process
All complete applications are reviewed and discussed by the reading committee and candidates are evaluated based, in part, on their articulation of leadership, learning and project goals and their plans for achieving them. Compelling candidates are selected to meet with the interview committee for further consideration.
You may check on the status of your application by logging in to your online application. We will also send you regular email messages as your application status changes. The whole review process takes between 3 and 6 weeks. All students and mentors are sent notification of the final award decision. All applicants, funded or not funded, are invited to receive feedbackon their applications.
Selecton Criteria
Listed below is the review criteria provided to the faculty committee reading the applications. There are four general criteria followed by bulleted points. Each bullet point does not need to be satisfied; they are factors that reviewers may take into account.
Motivation and Commitment
- Leadership - the student defines her/his understanding of leadership
- Commitment to project - the application essay provides an understanding of how and why the student is involved in this particular effort at this particular time
- Motivation and skills - the mentor's letter provides context for understanding the applicant's skills, motivations, and abilities
Project Goals and Impact
- Project - the purpose and goals of the project are clear and the steps for achieving the goals are explained
- Feasible - the project is achievable given the scope, timeline, and resources available
- Purpose - the student explains the need for (or the potential impact of) the proposed project and how s/he learned about the opportunity or need
- Challenges - the student articulates potential obstacles or barriers and her/his approach to them
Context and Approach
- Project/Leadership connection - student explains how the project is a leadership project, including addressing how the project will impact or shape the applicant's leadership (or understanding of leadership) as well as the ways in which the project (or the project's proposed outcomes) will impact others
- Collaboration - the applicant articulates with whom he/she is working and the roles that each person is playing; student also defines her/his unique role in the project
- Mentor - both the applicant and the mentor articulate how they will work together on the student's project and leadership goals
Learning Goals and Impact
- Learning about leadership - student articulates what s/he needs to learn about leadership and about being a leader
- Project as a leadership vehicle - student explains how the proposed project will help her/him learn what she/he needs to know about leadership and being a leader
- Reflection - the student explains how s/he will keep track of (and eventually evaluate) what is being learned
- Longer-term impact - student discusses the potential impacts of her/his work over time, including connections with her/his future goals and aspirations
Feedback on your Application
If you did not receive a Leadership Scholarship the first time you applied and are planning to reapply, you have the option to get feedback on your application. Even if you are not reapplying, you may still find it valuable to hear what aspects of your proposal could be improved if you are planning to apply for other scholarships, graduate school, grants or even a job.
To receive feedback on your application or interview, contact mgates@u.washington.edu .