Application Resources
These resources are designed to help you prepare strong applications before and alongside advising meetings. Competitive awards are not about having a perfect résumé — they are about clearly articulating purpose, preparation, and direction.
Understanding Award Prompts
Before you start writing, you need to understand what an award is actually asking for. When reviewing an award description, identify:
• The award’s mission and values
• Who the award is designed to support
• What the selection committee cares about most
• How success is defined (impact, leadership, research, service, etc.)
Not every strong student is a strong fit for every award. Fit matters. Eligibility tells you whether you may apply. Competitiveness determines whether you are likely to be selected.
A competitive application aligns your goals, experiences, and values with the purpose of the award — not just its funding.
Personal Statements & Essays
Before You Draft
Strong personal statements begin with reflection, not formatting.
Before writing, ask:
• Why am I applying for this award specifically?
• Why now?
• What experiences have shaped my goals?
• How does this award help me move forward?
Avoid listing achievements. Focus on meaning and direction.
Drafting Your Essay
Effective essays tend to:
• Have a clear central purpose
• Connect past experiences to future goals
• Show growth, curiosity, and commitment
• Use concrete examples rather than general claims
Write for a thoughtful, human reader — not an algorithm.
Revising Effectively
Revision is expected.
Helpful strategies include:
• Reverse outlining to check clarity and flow
• Reading aloud to catch awkward phrasing
• Cutting repetition and vague language
• Making values and motivations explicit
Research Proposals & Project Statements
Some awards require you to propose a research, creative, or service project.
Key Elements of a Strong Proposal
• A focused, clearly articulated question or goal
• Evidence that you are prepared to carry out the project
• A realistic scope and timeline
• An explanation of why the project matters
Write for a non-specialist audience. Clarity matters more than jargon.
Feasibility Matters
Committees look for projects that are ambitious but achievable. Demonstrating preparation and thoughtful planning strengthens credibility.
CVs and Résumés for External Awards
External awards often require a different kind of résumé or CV than job applications.
What to Emphasize
• Academic preparation
• Sustained leadership or service
• Research or creative work
• Impact and outcomes, not just participation
Documents should be clean, concise, and easy to scan.
Letters of Recommendation
Strong letters are a critical part of competitive applications.
Choosing Recommenders
Select individuals who:
• Know your work well
• Can speak to your growth and potential
• Have sufficient time to write thoughtfully
Your Responsibilities
• Ask early (at least 4–6 weeks in advance)
• Provide your résumé and draft materials
• Share award criteria and deadlines
• Follow up professionally and politely
Interviews & Finalist Preparation
Some awards include interviews as part of the selection process.
What Interviews Assess
• Clarity of goals
• Depth of preparation
• Ability to reflect thoughtfully
• Alignment with the award’s mission
Interview preparation begins during the writing phase, not after selection.
Self-Assessment & Readiness Tools
Use these questions to evaluate your readiness and fit.
Questions to Ask Yourself
• Why this award, not another?
• How does this opportunity fit my long-term goals?
• What experiences demonstrate my preparation?
• What do I still need to strengthen?
Before Scheduling Advising
Students are strongly encouraged to:
• Identify specific awards of interest
• Read award criteria carefully
• Draft preliminary responses or materials
• Prepare questions for advising meetings
Doing this work in advance allows advising sessions to focus on strategy and refinement.
Using These Resources
These resources are not meant to replace advising — they are meant to make advising more productive. Students who engage with these materials early tend to feel more confident, prepared, and successful throughout the application process.