2008-2009 Gates Millennium Scholarship

As high school seniors labor in the busy period of college applications, the scholarship process continues to roll steadily along. It is a dual process that is most successful when they are simultaneous. Over the next several days, I will profile several scholarships that students who are eligible should consider. If the scholarship doesn’t fit your profile, continue to check FastWeb.com for ones that do. There is no set time table for when to finish college applications and start on scholarships. Following the description of the scholarship, I will suggest ways to approach the application and maximize your potential for success.

2008-2009 Gates Millennium Scholarship

The GMS covers all unmet need and any self-help reported by the student’s university. Students must qualify for a federal Pell grant each year to receive aid. The process of qualifying for a Pell grant starts with filing for the FAFSA beginning January 1, 2008. GMS Scholars are selected based on:

Are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American or Hispanic American,
Are a citizen/legal permanent resident or national of the United States,
Have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.00 scale (unweighted) at the time of nomination,
Will be entering a U.S. accredited college or university as full-time, degree seeking freshmen in the Fall of 2007,
Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities, and
Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria.
Have all three required forms (Nominee Personal Information Form, Nominator Form, and Recommender Form) completed and submitted by the deadline.
Over 1,000 high school seniors win this scholarship annually. I was fortunate enough to be one of them in 2006. From November 10-12, 2006, I attended the GMS Leadership Conference in Los Angeles. It was a great time of networking and meeting other scholars who are passionate about their goals and giving back to the community. I would encourage all eligible seniors to apply for this scholarship. The application is available online and the deadline is January 11, 2008.

Suggestions:

When writing your essays, use clear and vivid examples. Show, don’t tell. For each of the essay questions, be sure to include an example that fits the topic and tie it into your overall theme.
Complete the application in multiple sittings. There are several required essays in addition to the application information. Remember to give enough time for editing and revising with a teacher, family member, or peer.
Start early. The last thing you want to do is rush to finish your application the morning it is due. This was my case last year and was cause for much anxiety. In addition to the application, you must have a nomination and a recommendation. I would suggest pinpointing the individuals you want to nominate you and recommend you early.
Choose wisely when asking for a nominator and a recommender. The GMS allows the nominator and recommender to be the same person, but I’d suggest finding two different people so that the judges can see your profile from two sets of eyes. When asking for a recommendation, remember to submit a Personal Data Form well in advance so your recommender/nominator has sufficient time to write you a solid letter.
Tell your story convincingly, but do it in your own style. My sister’s theory is that she believes everyone has a story; it just depends on how you tell it. When you write your essays, be honest. Tell it in a way that reflects your personality, but still demonstrates sophisticated writing ability. Don’t feel like you have to write a novel; write what you feel tells your story adequately and powerfully.
The GMS seeks young leaders who are active in their communities and demonstrate academic achievement. When listing your activities, choose the ones that most describe your personality and reflect your passions. Chances are you’ll be able to write about them more effectively.
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