Internal deadline:  December 12, 2011

Final internal deadline:  January 23, 2012

National Deadline: January 31, 2012 (Central time) electronic submission of applications
                                February 1, 2012 receipt of supporting hard copy materials

Eligibility requirements:

• Sophomore or Junior
• Have a GPA of at least a "B" and be in the upper fourth of his/her class
• 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 (formerly known as the Alien Registration Card).

Award summary and conditions: 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, in today's terms, is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified individuals to those fields of academic study and research. The 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 online application 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.

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 succeeding 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. Scholars may opt to study abroad, but their Goldwater funding will be based on their U.S. institution's budget.

Whitman preliminary application requirements due in Office of Fellowships and Grants by 5:00 p.m. on December 12, 2011:

• Unofficial transcript
• Questions 1-24 of the online application form
• Questions 1-5 on Research Activities, College Activities, Professional Aspirations, Motivation, and Personal Information
• A polished draft of your essay on a current problem in your area of interest.
• The names of three individuals willing to write letters of recommendation on your behalf should you be chosen as one of Whitman's nominees.

Application process: Electronic and hard copy

Application materials:  Online application will consist of the following:

• Institution Nomination (FacRep)-verifies the nominee's eligibility and academic status, and formally transmits the nomination to the review committee. The Institution Nomination must be completed and submitted with the nominee's application by the appointed Goldwater Faculty Representative of the nominee's institution. If this form is not submitted, the student's application will not be considered.

• Nominee Application (Student)-affirms the nominee's wish to be considered for the scholarship; provides biographical information about the nominee's background, interests, and plans; and provides a statement that describes the nominee's intent to enter an appropriate career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering and specifies how the student's educational plans will provide preparation for that career.

• Recommendations (3)-student lists three recommenders and their email address in their application. The system will then generate an email to each recommender giving them instructions on completing their online recommendation. The recommendations should be from a faculty member who can discuss the nominee's potential for a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering; a faculty member in the nominee's field of study; and another individual/faculty member who can attest to the nominee's potential.

Supporting Documents to be sent in hard copy:

• Nominee essay-written by the student and relates to the student's chosen career.

• Transcript from nominee's current institution, including fall semester if available.  Transcript(s) from other institutions, that nominee attended with grades for courses taken.

• Copy of the nominee's Permanent Resident card and letter of intent to become U.S. citizen, if nominee's citizenship status is permanent resident.

Faculty Representative: Barry Balof

Internal nomination required: Yes; Whitman is allowed to submit up to four nominations.

Selection process: Initial Evaluation: An 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 Foundation Board of Trustees. Nominees are evaluated on demonstrated potential for and commitment to a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering and outstanding academic performance.

Final Selection: From among the candidates recommended by the independent review committee, the Board of Trustees will name up to 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.

Contact information: http://www.act.org/goldwater/yybull.html