Barry Goldwater Scholarship: UW Madison’s Prestigious Honor for STEM Undergraduates What is the Barry Goldwater Scholarship? How to Apply for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship UW Madison’s Goldwater Scholars Benefits of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship How to Increase Your Chances of Winning the Barry Goldwater Scholarship Common Mistakes to Avoid Why the Barry Goldwater Scholarship Matters Table 1: Number of UW-Madison Students Awarded the Goldwater Scholarship Table 2: Benefits of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship Table 3: Tips for Increasing Your Chances of Winning the Barry Goldwater Scholarship Table 4: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship is one of the most prestigious undergraduate scholarships in the United States. It is awarded annually to outstanding students who intend to pursue research careers in mathematics, natural sciences, or engineering. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 per year for up to two years of undergraduate study.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has a long history of success with the Goldwater Scholarship. In the past 10 years, 15 UW-Madison students have been awarded the scholarship. This is more than any other university in the country.

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship was established in 1986 to honor the late Senator Barry Goldwater, a strong supporter of science and education. The scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated a commitment to research and have the potential to become future leaders in their fields.

To be eligible for the Goldwater Scholarship, students must be:

• U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Enrolled full-time in a four-year college or university
• Majoring in mathematics, a natural science, or engineering
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Have a strong research record
• Have letters of recommendation from faculty members who can attest to their research abilities

The application process for the Goldwater Scholarship is competitive. In 2020, there were over 5,000 applicants for 400 scholarships. To increase your chances of being selected, it is important to start the application process early and to put together a strong application.

The application deadline for the Goldwater Scholarship is February 1st. The application process involves submitting the following materials:

• A completed application form
• A personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• A transcript
• A research proposal

UW-Madison has a long history of success with the Goldwater Scholarship. In the past 10 years, 15 UW-Madison students have been awarded the scholarship. This is more than any other university in the country.

Here are some of UW-Madison’s recent Goldwater Scholars:

• 2020:

  • Abigail Benninghoff, Department of Chemistry
  • Emily Fletcher, Department of Physics
  • Isabella Fredrich, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
  • Ethan Gregory, Department of Computer Sciences
  • Sarah Kahn, Department of Biochemistry

• 2019:

  • Matthew Benrud, Department of Chemistry
  • Benjamin Bradley, Department of Computer Sciences
  • Julia Clark, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
  • Abigail Doty, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
  • Emily Goslin, Department of Chemistry

• 2018:

  • Ethan Armstrong, Department of Computer Sciences
  • Ethan Campbell, Department of Physics
  • Hannah Chung, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
  • Isabella Fenster, Department of Chemistry
  • Sarah Hebert, Department of Chemistry

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship provides a number of benefits to its recipients, including:

• Financial support: The scholarship provides up to $7,500 per year for up to two years of undergraduate study. This can help to cover the costs of tuition, fees, and living expenses.
• Prestige: The Goldwater Scholarship is one of the most prestigious undergraduate scholarships in the country. It is a testament to the recipient’s academic achievements and research potential.
• Research opportunities: The scholarship can help to fund research projects and travel to conferences. This can provide valuable experience for students who are interested in pursuing a research career.
• Career development: The Goldwater Scholarship can help to open doors to future opportunities. Recipients of the scholarship are often recruited by top graduate schools and employers.

There are a number of things you can do to increase your chances of winning the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, including:

• Start early. The application process is competitive, so it is important to start early. Begin working on your application in the fall of your sophomore year.
• Get involved in research. The Goldwater Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated a commitment to research. Get involved in research projects as early as possible.
• Get letters of recommendation from strong supporters. Your letters of recommendation should come from faculty members who can attest to your research abilities. Choose people who know you well and can speak to your potential.
• Write a strong personal statement. Your personal statement should explain your research interests and how you plan to use the Goldwater Scholarship to achieve your goals.
• Proofread your application carefully. Make sure your application is free of errors. Ask a friend or family member to proofread it before you submit it.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when applying for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship:

• Waiting until the last minute to apply. The application deadline is February 1st. Don’t wait until the last minute to start working on your application.
• Not getting involved in research. The Goldwater Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated a commitment to research. If you are not involved in research, start looking for opportunities to get involved.
• Getting weak letters of recommendation. Your letters of recommendation should come from faculty members who can attest to your research abilities. Don’t ask for letters from people who don’t know you well or who can’t speak to your potential.
• Writing a weak personal statement. Your personal statement should explain your research interests and how you plan to use the Goldwater Scholarship to achieve your goals. Don’t write a generic statement that could be applied to any scholarship.
• Not proofreading your application. Make sure your application is free of errors. Ask a friend or family member to proofread it before you submit it.

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship is one of the most prestigious undergraduate scholarships in the country. It provides financial support, prestige, and research opportunities to outstanding students who are interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields. The scholarship can help to open doors to future opportunities and make it possible for students to achieve their research goals.