Simple tips to help you get started
- Pursue a challenging curriculum
Take advantage of elective courses, internships, and independent study to broaden your knowledge, experience, and point of view. - Lead, don't follow
Find opportunities to propose and implement positive changes in your academic department, campus organizations, and community. - Think globally
Make study abroad an integral part of your academic program. Learn a new language. Gain first-hand knowledge of countries and cultures from students in the International Student Office. Understand how your interests and concerns fit into the world at large. - Be informed and form opinions
Keep up-to-date with current events by reading national and international newspapers and journals on a regular basis. Actively inform and cultivate your opinions on major issues. Develop connections between your field and the world around you. The Cornette Library staff can help you find what you need. - Know the field
Who are the leaders in your field? Keep up with the latest research developments, publications, and conference proceedings through faculty, journals, books, and online resources. Are you able to intelligently and thoroughly discuss the latest developments in your area of interest? The Library of Congress website is also a great resource for you to tap into. - Find Faculty
Get to know your department faculty well. Their knowledge, advice, and contacts will be very valuable in your academic career. Map out long-term plans with your adviser. Incorporate exceptional academic, extracurricular, and service-learning experiences into your course work. - Find the campus coordinator
The Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships is your advocate! It is a one-stop shop for information about resources, applications, deadlines, and advice to guide you through the process. Each prestigious scholarship has specific criteria -- one or more scholarships may fit your interests and experience better than others.