Your Four-Year Plan

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Your 4-Year Plan to Nationally Competitive Scholarships and Awards

Nationally Competitive Programs and Awards are prestigious scholarships, grants, and recognitions that you can earn. Funding is extramural, which means it comes from outside sources instead of sources within the university. In order to receive such awards, you must compete on a national or sometimes even an international level. In return, nationally competitive programs and awards come with an array of major benefits such as lifetime recognition, professional and educational connections, and incredible experiences including international travel, language training, and funding for research, graduate school, and internships. Simply put, national awards can serve as your “golden ticket” to elevate your goals for getting into distinguished graduate schools and coveted employment positions. These scholarships and awards show that you are someone who takes initiative, seizes opportunities, and strives for excellence.

Since competing nationally takes time and effort, it is important to be strategic. This requires forethought about how you will navigate through your college journey and take control of your narrative.

At graduation, what will your story be?

Your narrative awaits.

SMTTT!

Mary Beard, Director of Nationally Competitive Programs and Awards
The University of Southern Mississippi

Image of a student giving a presentation with the caption "SophomoreYear"

Image of a student getting feedback on a portfolio with the caption "Junior Year"

Image of a student consulting with a faculty member with the caption "Senior Year"

Chapter 1: FRESHMAN YEAR

Identify, Develop & Validate Your Talent

Think about some of the goals you have for yourself. Are you interested in conducting research? Influencing policy? Bridging cultures? Leading organizations? Advocating for equity?

Keep track of everything that will help you tell your story. Start building a new professional resume based on your college experiences. File your writing samples, recordings, and performance clips in an easily accessible portfolio.

Build strong relationships with 1-2 professors

Maintain a GPA of at least 3.7, if possible

Extend your reading and learning beyond the classroom

Look for ways to get involved and explore leadership opportunities in your field.

Plan ahead to find out which scholarships strike your curiosity, and devise a timeline to stay on track.

Make an appointment with NCPA USM to learn more.

Some notable nationally competitive awards to consider during your freshman year: Fulbright UK Summer Institutes, The Washington Center Internships, National Security Agency (NSA) Stokes Scholarships, Critical Language Scholarships, Boren Awards, Gilman Scholarships, Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad grants.

Learn about the Truman and Goldwater Scholarships for next year.

Chapter 2: SOPHOMORE YEAR

Separate from the Pack & Start Gaining Recognition

Expand leadership roles in class, organizations, research labs, and extracurricular activities

Focus on building memberships into longer-term commitments

Align yourself with 1-2 research-active mentors

Take advanced classes when possible

Present coursework, preliminary research findings, and proposals at campus-wide events (in your field)

Start writing out your professional goals

Use your summers for REUs, internships, additional lab work, or classes that will provide you with additional experiences and insights

Consider applying to the Honors Keystone Program for your junior year

Make an appointment with NCPA USM to learn more

Some notable nationally competitive awards to consider during your sophomore year: Fulbright UK Summer Institutes, Goldwater Scholarship, Gilman Scholarship, The Washington Center Internships, National Security Agency (NSA) Stokes Scholarships, Critical Language Scholarships, Boren Awards, Mt. Vernon Leadership Fellows, Voyager Scholarship, Udall Scholarship, Humanities in Action Fellowship.

Chapter 3: JUNIOR YEAR

Anchor Your Narrative

Work on leadership that shows a record of accomplishment in 1-2 areas that highlight your competitive award interests (e.g., policy, STEM research, computational science, public health, community, leadership, ambassadorship, etc.).

Shape your resume or portfolio into a cohesive story about your professional trajectory.

Make progress towards disseminating your research or creative works at the local, regional, and national level through conference presentations, performances, and/or publication

Seek experiences and mentoring that are impactful, productive, and sustainable

Make an appointment with NCPA USM to learn more

Some notable nationally competitive awards to consider during your junior year: Fulbright Student Program, Truman Scholarship, Goldwater Scholarship, Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Fellowship, Udall Scholarship, DAAD Rise Internships, Phi Kappa Phi Literacy grants, Humanities in Action Fellowship.

Chapter 4: SENIOR YEAR

Make Your Story Soar

Finalize your capstone project, portfolio, or thesis

Know your goals (both academically and professionally)

Make sure your professional resume, although always a work in progress, is polished, cohesive, and as streamlined as possible

Seek letters of recommendation based on the rapport you have built with your mentors

Present, publish, lead

Make an appointment with NCPA USM to learn more

Some notable nationally competitive awards to consider during your senior year: National Science Foundation’s GFRP, Fulbright Student Program, Marshall Scholarship, Rhodes Scholarship, Knight Hennessy Scholarship, Churchill Scholarship, DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship, Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans, Schwarzman Scholarship, Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, Clarke, Sr. Diplomatic Security Fellowship, Hertz, Hertog, Luce Scholarship, James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program, James Madison Fellowship.