The Prestigious Scholarship Program at Appalachian State University

The Purpose

Appalachian State University boasts a select few scholar-leaders who are clearly qualified to attend elite graduate schools and to compete for such prestigious national recognitions as the Truman, British Marshall, Goldwater, or Rhodes Scholarships. The Prestigious Scholarship Program is designed to identify and serve serious students who are willing to put forth intense effort in order to compete for such scholarships and earn admission to nationally-recognized graduate programs. It will provide appropriate experiences to guide such students through the sometimes fierce application and selection processes associated with their pursuit of these goals.

The Program

The Prestigious Scholarship Program targets and recruits those students who are most likely to compete well in national-level scholarship competitions;
Selected "Honors Fellows, " in groups of 8-10, will be assigned a faculty mentor and will meet regularly throughout the school year for academic enrichment activities such as small group meetings, field trips, seminars, cultural events, and independent projects;
Honors Fellows will work with their mentors to refine their life and career goals, investigate graduate school options, work on resumes, and consider pursuing prestigious national scholarship recognition, where appropriate;
Honors Fellows who choose to compete for nationally known scholarships can expect help in completing application materials, preparing for oral interviews, and otherwise readying themselves for this highly competitive but rewarding process;
Honors Fellows who participate consistently for at least a year will be so recognized on their co-curricular transcript.

Student Responsibilities

Honors Fellows are required to meet regularly with their mentor and group and to attend larger program functions throughout the year. They will prepare goals statements, research scholarship programs, write reports, and otherwise take an active part in developing their focus and their potential as future scholar-leaders and graduate students. Program leaders and mentors expect significant effort. Some who are chosen will find the program is not for them and will be encouraged to inform their mentor that they are dropping out. But those who meet the challenge will likely find increased chances of success in the pursuit of their most ambitious personal goals.

Interested?

Write or Call

Kenneth Shull
Assistant Coordinator, Heltzer Honors Program
Rankin Science Bldg
Appalachian State University
Boone NC, 28608
(828) 262-2675

Select Prestigious Scholarship Information

Harry S. Truman Scholarship

The Truman Scholarship is worth up to $30,000 for the senior year of undergraduate work and for graduate study for students who intend to pursue careers in government or public service. Applicants must be outstanding scholars and leaders and must be willing to devote significant time to an arduous application procedure. Applicants must be given institutional approval. Students apply for the Truman during their Junior year and must contact the institutional representative before or during the early Fall of their Junior year.
For more information, www.truman.gov

Search for Excellence Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

This merit award is open to undergraduates in all fields of study with at least 30 hours of undergraduate work and at least a 3.3 GPA. The maximum award is $5000. Applicants should be leaders as well as scholars. Deadline is in early Spring.
See www.searchforexcellence.org

The Morris K. Udall Scholarship

The Udall Scholarship honors the legacy of public service of Congressman Udall and seeks to improve or preserve the environment and to improve health care or public policy to Native American groups. The maximum award is $5000. Sophomores or juniors with the following qualities are eligible: students must have a strong commitment to environmental policy or must be a Native American or Alaskan Native with a commitment to health care and public policy. Deadline is early February.
Go to www.udall.gov

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship

The Goldwater Scholarship goes to rising juniors and seniors to promote excellence in mathematics and natural sciences. Maximum awards are $7500 and cover tuition, fees, books and room and board.
Visit www.act.org/goldwater

Rhodes Scholarship

Rhodes Scholars are appointed for two years of study at the University of Oxford, with a possible third year. All educational costs are covered by the Rhodes Trust. A stipend covers some travel expenses. Excellence in academics and character are required. The application requires a 1,000 word personal statement. Applications are due at the beginning of October, so potential candidates need to start preparation for application well before the beginning of their senior year.
For more information, www.rhodesscholar.org

British Marshall Scholarships

Educational costs and travel expenses are covered for this award for two years of study in any discipline, leading to a British university degree. Applications are due the first of October, so potential applicants should plan their application well in advance of their senior year.
Additional details, www.acu.ac.uk/marshall

Fulbright Grants

Fulbright grants promote cultural and educational exchanges with the goal of promoting cultural understanding. Grants normally cover one year of graduate educational expenses plus travel in more than 100 countries around the world. Applications are due early October, so potential applicants need to plan well ahead of their senior year.
Go to www.lie.org/fullbright/us

Andrew W. Mellon Fellowships

The Mellon Fellowships are for one year and can be taken to any accredited U.S. or Canadian institution to cover graduate program expenses leading to the Ph.D. Eligible fields include, but are not limited to: American studies, art history, classics, cultural anthropology, history, literature, musicology, philosophy, and religion. Application deadline is December, so potential candidates need to make plans well before the start of their senior year.
For more information, www.woodrow.org/mellon

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This page was last updated on: January 26, 2005