Sophomores and Juniors may apply.

The Excellence in Education Foundation has established a scholarship fund named for former Senator Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona, to support the undergraduate study of students who demonstrate talent and interest in Mathematics or the Natural Sciences. The purpose of the scholarships is to strengthen the training of American students in Science and Mathematics and to encourage talented students to pursue graduate study, teaching, and research in these areas.

The scholarships cover expenses for tuition, books, fees, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,000 per year for two years. Each year, one scholarship will be awarded to a resident of each state, with a limited additional number of scholarships awarded at-large. Goldwater Scholarships thus represent outstanding opportunities for those students who have a demonstrated interest in a career in Science or Mathematics.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• be U.S. citizens;
• be full-time students who will be enrolled as Juniors or Seniors in the year of the award;
• have a GPA of at least 3.0 and be in the upper quarter of their undergraduate class.

All Boston College candidates for Goldwater Scholarships must be nominated by the Boston College Goldwater Scholarship Nominating Committee. Sophomores or Juniors interested in applying should pick up the preliminary application materials from the Boston College Goldwater Campus Coordinator, prepare a 600-word essay describing a scientific issue or problem and a relevant research project they have or wish to undertake, and its relevance to their development as a scientist. The essay is the opportunity for a candidate to demonstrate a serious interest in Science and/or Mathematics and is the most important component of the application.

In addition to the essay, the preliminary application should include a list of all of the Science-related activities and achievements that the candidate has compiled through high school and college, and an indication of which experiences have influenced the candidate's decision to pursue a career in Science or Mathematics. In addition, short essays on the candidate's educational and career plans, and on which activities she or he considers most significant in strengthening his or her commitment to a career in Science, are required.

Preliminary applications will be reviewed by the Boston College Goldwater Scholarship Nominating Committee, which will nominate two candidates for consideration in the Goldwater Scholarship competition. Nominees will then be evaluated by the Foundation's scholarship review committee in March, and the successful Goldwater Scholars for each state will be announced in May. Applications must be submitted to the BC Goldwater Nominating Committee well in advance of the January deadline.

All students with an interest in the Goldwater Scholarship are urged to talk with the Boston College Goldwater Campus Coordinator. If you would like additional information about the scholarship and the application process before talking with the Campus Coordinator consult the Goldwater web site, or write to:
   Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Review Committee
   P.O. Box 6330
   Princeton, NJ 08541-6330

To be competitive, interested students should contact the Goldwater Campus Coordinator during the previous Spring semester, to begin preparing their applications well in advance of the January deadline.