Resources
The path to receiving a prestigious, nationally competitive scholarship is as exciting as it is deliberate, and the WSU Distinguished Scholarships Program assists students from all majors and years in college as they chart their journey and build eligibility for these awards.
Resources Provided by the Distinguished Scholarships Program at WSU
Distinguished Scholarships Workshops
The Distinguished Scholarships Program offers a variety of workshops to help you prepare for the scholarships that interest you. A workshop schedule and descriptions is posted on the calendar section of our website as they are scheduled.
One-to-One Distinguished Scholarship Advising
All students interested in a Distinguished Scholarship should schedule an appointment as early in their academic career as possible with the Director of Distinguished Scholarships. Individualized mentoring will help students build personal portfolios that emphasize achievements and the qualities necessary to successfully apply for national awards.
Faculty Representatives for Specific Awards
For several of the Distinguished Scholarships WSU has faculty representatives who liaison with the award organization. After contacting the Distinguished Scholarships Program, you will be directed to these individual faculty.
Other Useful WSU Resources
There are many resources available at WSU that will provide support as you build your eligibility for awards.
Undergraduate Research
Office of Undergraduate Research
The WSU-wide Office of Undergraduate Research guides students from all majors as they engage is research, scholarship, or creative activities. The office provides drop in hours to work with peer mentors as well as scholarships in support of research.
SURCA: Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities
This event is an opportunity for all undergraduates to present their research and creative activities. It is the single largest event available to undergraduates on campus. It is sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research.
Civic Engagement
Center for Civic Engagement
The Center for Civic Engagement offers WSU students, faculty, campus departments, and community partners opportunities to share knowledge, skills, and resources for the benefit of learning and the well being of our communities.
Public Policy and Public Service
The Thomas S. Foley Institute at WSU
The Foley Institute provides public affairs programming and education, supports student engagement in public service, and fosters scholarly research on public policy and political institution in a nonpartisan setting.
International Study
Office of International Programs
Education abroad can be a life changing experience – the opportunities for an education abroad experience are many. The Global Learning Education Abroad office provides support for students interested in these opportunities.
Career Development
Academic Success and Career Center: Get information about careers and internships that interest you. Award organizations want to see that you are well informed of and serious about the careers and services to society that they promote.
Effective Written Communication
Writing Program: The writing program at WSU assist thousands of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff annually. Their assistance could be instrumental in making the written portions of your application as strong as possible.
Tutoring
Peer Tutoring: Because grades are considered an indicator of how well you have mastered of an area of knowledge, excellent grades are essential for all scholarships. Moreover, you will be competing with other students who are at the top of their game academically. If you need a little extra help with your courses outside of the confines of the lecture hall and office hours, consider hiring a tutor.
External Resources
There are many helpful resources for pursuing distinguished scholarships that are available to you on the Internet. Below, we have listed some websites that we have found to be particularly beneficial.
Writing Personal Statements
- Kansas State: Writing Scholarship Essays: Provides excellent guidance on how to write strong personal statements that, through the power of effective storytelling, clearly convey the synergy between your own goals and the mission of the scholarship organization you are targeting.
- Penn State: Marshall and Rhodes essays samples