KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY2014-15 Campus Application for the

Barry S. Goldwater Scholarship

Dear Student:

Kansas State University can nominate up to four students to compete nationally for the Goldwater Scholarship. We choose our nominees on the basis of this campus application.

The campus deadline is October 24, 2014. Those applicants selected as nominees will then revise and submit their applications nationally in January 2015 through the Goldwater website.

We do appreciate the fact that our candidates represent Kansas State University very well in the national applicant pool and will, to recognize that fact, award a $750 scholarship to each of the four students we nominate. This file includes the following . . .

General Instructions

Goldwater Eligibility Checklist

Goldwater Bulletin of Information

Goldwater Campus Application Form

Goldwater Recommendation Request Form

Instructions for Goldwater Recommenders

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Copy for Recommenders

Copy for Recommenders

If you still have questions after reading this document, please contact me. I am more than happy to talk with prospective applicants.

The campus committee looks forward to reading your application.

Sincerely,

Jim HohenbaryGoldwater Faculty RepresentativeKansas State University215 Fairchild HallManhattan, KS 66506(785) 532-3422jimlth@ksu.edu

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General Instructions

Read the following instructions carefully. Note that you will copy and distribute the last two pages for each individual that you ask for a letter of recommendation.

1. The campus deadline is October 24, 2014. My office should receive all parts of the application by 5 PM on that day. Late applications will be accepted but may not receive priority consideration. Please mail or deliver it to the following address:

Jim HohenbaryOffice of Nationally Competitive ScholarshipsKansas State University215 Fairchild HallManhattan, KS 66506

2. Make sure you are eligible to apply by reviewing the checklist on Page 4.

3. A complete application will consist of:

Three or more letters of recommendation.

All college transcripts This includes any college credits earned during high school.

Completed Goldwater Campus Application Form: Pages 7-9 of this file Resume Goldwater Research Essay

4. Use your iSIS Student Center to order an official K-State transcript from the Registrar and send it to the address listed above. The campus committee will not obtain one for you. Also contact all other colleges from which you have earned college credit, even during high school, and ask them to send an official transcript. All transcripts should arrive by the deadline.

5. Nominated students will ultimately complete the online application from the Goldwater website. However, we are not using that online application in the campus selection process. We use this MS Word template instead. Do not begin that national application unless/until you are nominated.

6. Request letters of recommendation. Print and sign the Goldwater Recommendation Request Form (Page 11) for each person. Also, provide each person with the Instructions for Goldwater Recommenders (Page 12). At least three letters are required. However, we are happy to consider up to six in the campus selection process. Several notes:

Start by asking your letter writers if they are willing to write strong letters on your behalf. Find a different recommender if they are hesitant. Lukewarm letters will not help you.

It is always advisable to share your resume and some information about your goals with people you ask to write for you.

Remember to give each letter writer both the signed Request Form and the Instructions (Pages 11-12 of this document).

At least two of the three letters should be from folks with whom you have worked in undergraduate research and/or faculty who can speak to your academic ability in your field.

Letters from family friends, pastors and high school teachers are not typically helpful in this competition.

Remember to be courteous in asking for a letter (both in terms of the timeline and your demeanor). A letter of recommendation is not a right.

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Remember to thank those who take the time to write on your behalf. Good letters take time.

7. Letters should also arrive to 215 Fairchild Hall by October 24, 2014. They can arrive independently or you can include them with your application materials. If your recommenders have questions, they should contact Jim Hohenbary at (785) 532-3422.

8. Letters of recommendation received by the Goldwater Faculty Representative (Jim Hohenbary) will be treated as confidential documents. They will be shared with the Goldwater Nominating Committee. However, students will NOT be allowed to access letters written on their behalf.

If you wish to request to see a letter written on your behalf, you must make that request to the recommender and in accordance with what you have indicated in the Goldwater Recommendation Request Form (Page 11).

9. Choose a topic for your essay. Students are strongly encouraged to write about the research experiences in which they are currently involved. Consult with your faculty mentors and research supervisors while writing the essay. Jim Hohenbary can also advise applicants regarding the essay. Some further details regarding the structure of the essay are also provided on Page 10. You generally need some form of undergraduate research experience to be competitive in this competition.

10. Make time to prepare an organized, thoughtful and precise application. The campus committee is only allowed to nominate four candidates to compete nationally. Note that you cannot spell check within the form fields. However, you can cut and paste your short essays into a blank file for the purpose of spell checking.

11. There are no interviews in the Goldwater competition. We will notify you in late November regarding whether you have been selected to represent K-State. Nominees should then contact their faculty mentors about ways to strengthen their essay. They will also work with Jim Hohenbary on their applications before the national deadline.

12. Plan to edit and polish your application in December/January and transfer it onto the Goldwater website if you are selected as a Goldwater nominee for Kansas State University. The national application will be due at the end of January 2015.

Once again, please contact Jim Hohenbary if you have questions regarding the Goldwater Scholarship or the campus application. Consultation is welcome. Call (785) 532-3422, write jimlth@ksu.edu, or visit 215 Fairchild Hall.

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Goldwater Eligibility Checklist

Sophomore or Junior status. Sophomores are defined as students who plan two more years of full-time undergraduate study after May 2015. Juniors are defined as having one more year of full-time under-graduate study after May 2015. Students planning five years of undergraduate study are eligible to apply during the third or fourth year.

Officially: 3.0 minimum GPA and upper quarter of your class. Practically: 3.8 or higher is typically needed to remain credibly competitive.

Plan to pursue a PhD in the natural sciences, mathematics or engineering. Plan to pursue a research-related career in one of those areas. However, research is broadly defined. Possible settings might include work within a university, research lab, government agency or corporate R&D unit. Applicants should aspire to careers in knowledge creation and innovation.

Note that students who plan to study medicine are eligible for a Goldwater Scholarship if they

plan to work in a research setting and will likely pursue an MD/PhD. Research work and clinical work can overlap. However, the research component must be an essential part of the career vision.

Goldwater Trustees have historically considered scientific engineering, rather than applied engineering, more appropriate for Goldwater Scholars. Talk with me if you have concerns that this might pertain to you. They are looking for students who are interested in adding to the knowledge base/advancing & developing new technologies.

US citizen, resident alien or US national from American Samoa or the Mariana Islands.

If you are too close to graduation to qualify for the Goldwater but would qualify in other ways, please talk with me. The NSF Graduate Fellowship and several other options may apply to you, depending on your research focus. Some national graduate fellowship deadlines are in October.

If your interests relate to ecology or environmental science, you should also consider applying for the Udall and/or possibly the Hollings . . . which are also undergraduate awards.

Wildcat Success

K-Staters have won 71 Goldwaters since the award was introduced in 1986, including two students in Spring 2014. This makes Kansas State the most successful public university in America when it comes to the Goldwater. Kudos to all the K-Staters whose undergraduate excellence is reflected in those numbers.

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Goldwater Bulletin of Information

This Bulletin of Information has been abridged and reformatted from the web for use in the K-State campus selection process. You can read the complete Bulletin at www.act.org/goldwater.

PurposeThe Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program 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 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, as stated in the enabling legislation, is to alleviate a critical current and future shortage of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. A more realistic statement of the purpose, today is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified individuals to those fields of academic study and research.

General GuidelinesThe Foundation will award undergraduate scholarships to outstanding students, to be known as Barry M. Goldwater Scholars, in Spring 2015 for use during the 2015-2016 academic year. 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 2015-2016 academic year -- who have outstanding potential and intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. Four-year institutions are eligible to nominate up to four students who are in the sophomore or junior class during the 2014-2015 academic year. To be considered, a student must be nominated by his or her college or university.

Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for undergraduate tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually. Scholarship monies not used during one academic year are not transferable to the next academic year. Junior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for a maximum of two years of scholarship support, and senior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for a maximum of one year of scholarship support.

The Trustees intend to award around 300 Goldwater Scholarships. The number of scholarships to be awarded per state will depend on the number and qualifications of the nominees from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and, considered as a single entity, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Career in Mathematics, Natural Sciences, or EngineeringThe Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Program was created to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering and to foster excellence in those fields. In awarding scholarships, the Foundation Board of Trustees 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.

Nominees for Goldwater Scholarships must include in their nomination materials a statement of interest in a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering, detailing how their academic program and their overall educational plans will prepare them for their chosen career goal. 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.

Conditions of EligibilityTo be considered for nomination as a Goldwater Scholar, a student must:

1. Be a full-time matriculated sophomore or junior pursuing a degree at an accredited institution of higher education during the 2014-2015 academic year. Sophomores are defined as students who plan two more years of full-time undergraduate study beginning September 2015. Sophomore nominees can expect to receive a maximum of two years of support. Juniors are defined as students who plan one more year of full-time undergraduate study beginning September 2015. Junior nominees can expect to receive a maximum of one year of support.

Conditions of Eligibility

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To be considered for nomination as a Goldwater Scholar, a student must: 2. Have a college grade-point average of at least "B" and be in the upper fourth of his or her class.3. Be a United States citizen, a permanent resident, or, in the case of nominees from American Samoa or the

Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, a United States national. Nominations from permanent residents must include a letter of the nominee's intent to obtain U.S. citizenship and a photocopy of the Permanent Resident Card.

Nomination ProceduresThe Institution of Higher EducationAll candidates for scholarships are nominated by their college or university. The Foundation will not solicit or accept applications directly from candidates but will advise applicants as to the appropriate procedures.

Four-year institutions may nominate up to four current sophomores or juniors. If an institution chooses to nominate more than one student, these nominees may reside in the same state or district or they may be from different states or districts.

The Nominating OfficialEach participating institution must appoint a faculty representative to serve as liaison between the institution and the Foundation. The faculty representative:

1. Publicizes the Goldwater Scholarship Program on campus.2. Solicits faculty recommendations of outstanding students who demonstrate commitment to pursue a career in

mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering.3. Establishes the process to select the best qualified candidates to be nominated4. Helps nominees prepare for the competition.5. Ensures that nominations are complete and submitted online by the stated deadline.

National Selection Procedures Initial EvaluationAn 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 Board of Trustees. Nominees are evaluated on:

1. Demonstrated potential for/commitment to careers in mathematics, natural science, or engineering.2. Outstanding academic performance.

Final SelectionFrom among the candidates recommended by the independent review committee, the Board of Trustees will name approximately 300 Barry M. Goldwater Scholars. The number of scholarships to be awarded per state will depend on the number and qualifications of the nominees from the 53 jurisdictions.

Payment of Scholarship AwardsTo be eligible to receive payments a Goldwater Scholar must submit in writing:

1. An acceptance of the scholarship award and a direct deposit form, used to open a scholar account for electronic funds transfer of scholarship payments.

2. At the beginning of each academic year, a single statement of eligible expenses, certified by the authorized financial officer of the enrolling institution, including those for tuition, fees, books, and room and board; plus an additional certification regarding the scholar's academic program; and other certifications as required by law or regulation.

Payments from the Foundation may supplement, but not duplicate, benefits from another foundation, institution, or organization. In other words, the benefits from all sources combined may not exceed the costs of tuition, fees, books, and room and board for the academic year. The scholar must notify the Foundation promptly of any changes that occur during the year in his or her academic status or to the yearly payment request form information.

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2014-15 Goldwater Campus Application Form

Biographical InformationName      

Local Address           

Local Phone      E-mail      

Home Address           

I am a: U..S. Citizen U.S. National Permanent Resident

Educational InformationMajors      Minors      

Anticipated Graduation Date      My classification according to the Conditions of Eligibility is: Sophomore Junior

What is your cumulative GPA from all schools attended?      What is the highest degree you plan to pursue? Masters M.D. Ph.D.

What will be your intended area/field of specialization?      

In one or two sentences, describe your career goal:

     

If you will pursue a combined MD/PhD degree, why is a medical degree necessary for you to achieve your research goals?

     

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Course Information / Short Essays

1. List courses in your major in which you are currently enrolled, courses in your major in which you plan to enroll before graduation, and courses in mathematics/science/engineering outside your major in which you are currently enrolled or plan to enroll. List by title and not by catalog number.

In major–currently enrolled

     

In major–plan to enroll

     

Math/science/engineering–outside of major

     

2. List past and present research activities. Explain the duration, degree and significance of your involvement, including your responsibilities in the project. In the absence of formal research experience, describe other skills or accomplishments – posters, presentations, publications, etc – significant and relevant to this application. You may include an extra page for this question (and this question only).

     

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3. What are your professional aspirations? Indicate in which area(s) of mathematics, science and/or engineering you are considering making your career and specify how your current academic program and your overall educational plans will assist you in achieving this goal.

     

4. Describe an activity or experience that has been important in clarifying or strengthening your motivation for a career in science, mathematics or engineering.

     

5. Goldwater Scholars will be representative of the diverse economic, ethnic and occupational backgrounds of families in the United States. Describe any characteristics or other personal information about yourself or your family that you wish to share with the review committee.

     

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Resume & Research EssayPlease include the following supplemental documents with the application form (Pages 7-9) and transcripts when you hand in your application.

1. Resume

You may use an existing resume as a starting point, both in terms of content and style. You are not limited to one page. Use as many pages as necessary for a complete listing. Include dates. Make sure and include sections for:

Any awards, honors and/or scholarships you have received. Any activities you have participated in at the university (including offices held).

You need not include research activities since those are detailed in the short essay section above. However, it is fine if you choose to include that information in the resume as well.

2. Research Essay

The Goldwater Research Essay should be no more than two pages with a font size no smaller than 11 point. Please title and sign your essay. You can/should include a bibliography, references and illustrations as appropriate (counts in the two pages).

The official prompt for the essay is:

Discuss a significant issue or problem in your field of study that is of particular interest to you.

Your essay must include a description of the issue or problem, discuss an idea for research that could have significant impact on the issue or problem, describe an aspect of the research in which you would be involved, and explain the relevance of the issue or problem to you as a mathematician, scientist or engineer. The content and style of your essay will be important to the success of your scholarship application. Assume that your reader is knowledgeable in mathematics, science and engineering; and will have the expertise to read, review and understand the complexities of your field of specialty.

If your essay involves research in which you are or were involved, please indicate if you are or were the sole researcher or if you collaborated with other individuals.

Practically speaking, most successful essays by K-State applicants discuss research that they are currently involved in at the undergraduate level. We recommend that you:

Provide some background regarding the larger problem that animates the project. What is the significance and context of the research?

Detail the more particular aims of your research project. What specifically are you trying to find out and what is the experimental setup for doing so?

Narrate what has been accomplished with a particular emphasis on what your role has been. First-person narration is expected in that regard.

Overview any results thus far and provide a sense of where you expect your research to go in upcoming months and what you anticipate in terms of your contribution.

As the prompt indicates, this should be a technical essay that demonstrates your ability to handle the technical jargon of your field with clarity and precision. We also want to understand how active you have been in shaping and advancing the direction of the research.

Sample essays are available for review in 215 Fairchild Hall.

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Goldwater Recommendation Request Form

To:      

From:      

I am requesting a letter of recommendation for the Goldwater Scholarship for use in the campus nomination process. If I am nominated I may also request a revised and/or updated draft for submission at the national level.

In both instances I grant you permission to include any information that is considered confidential under FERPA (the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) that you might deem relevant to the Goldwater competition. This includes information about my grades/GPA/class rank and details regarding specific projects/tests/assignments. It also includes candid evaluation regarding my performance in relation to any of those elements.

In addition, I waive or do NOT waive my right to request a copy of your Goldwater letter at any time in the future. I do understand that letters written confidentially will generally carry more weight. I also understand that I will not – under any circumstance – be able to obtain a copy of your letter from the Goldwater Faculty Representative.

Signed ____________________________________________________

Date:      

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Instructions for Goldwater Recommenders

The campus selection committee can choose only four nominees to represent Kansas State University in the national Goldwater competition. With that in mind, we very much appreciate your willingness to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of your student. Thank you. Enthusiastic letters that supply meaningful detail are highly valued by the committee.

Your student has been asked to also present to you a signed Goldwater Recommendation Request Form with these instructions.

Here is what the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program indicates they are looking for in letters of recommendation at the national level.

The student [requesting a letter from you] is preparing for a career in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering. Up to 300 scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic performance as well as demonstrated interest in and commitment to a career in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering.

Please evaluate the student’s: Personal characteristics Motivation Potential for a career in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering.

Your evaluation must address the following: In what criteria do you base your judgments? How does the nominee meet your criteria?

Provide specific examples of the nominee’s performance and any particular incidents that illustrate the nominee’s maturity, initiative and potential.

Here are some additional details specific to the campus selection process:

1. Please send/address your letter to: Jim HohenbaryOffice of Nationally Competitive Scholarships

Kansas State University215 Fairchild HallManhattan, KS 66506

(Sending electronically is acceptable) jimlth@ksu.edu

2. Recommenders sometimes ask about an appropriate greeting. Dear Goldwater Selection Committee works well.

3. If your student is nominated, you may be asked to submit an updated letter to the national competition in January 2014 through their online application portal. However, we are not using the online application during the campus nomination process.

4. The campus deadline is October 24, 2014.

5. Please contact me (Jim Hohenbary) at (785) 532-3422 or jimlth@ksu.edu if you have questions. Thank you again for your time and effort in support of the Goldwater nomination process.

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