• Use our List of Opportunities to explore what’s out there and might be right for you
• Read websites carefully - what is the opportunity all about? What is its purpose? When is the application due? Are you eligible for that opportunity?
• Some inter/nationally competitive fellowship opportunities have internal GVSU deadlines. Contact us at [email protected] for more information

• Don’t feel like you need to have one opportunity already selected - we can brainstorm together!
• Come prepared to look at websites together and to take some notes so that you can explore further and/or do a deeper dive into specific opportunities
• Email [email protected] for more suggestions about how to get ready for a productive first meeting about fellowship possibilities

• Spend some time reflecting on your passions, goals and dreams
• Create a google folder titled “My Application Drafts and Brief Bios” - and then noodle away! Write about your background, values, academic career and future plans… get some stuff on paper (or on a google doc)
• Take time to explore the fellowship webinars (often available on the website of the fellowship in which you are interested) and internet resources about creating compelling applications 
• Respond carefully to each essay prompt as you develop your essays and short-answer responses
• Copy the Fellowships Advisor on your google doc drafts when you are ready

There are many resources across campus to support students. 

• Fred Meijer Center for Writing & Michigan Authors (opens in a new window) - Writing Consultants are available to work with you on your personal statements
• Librarians
• Faculty Advisor(s) and Mentors
• Padnos International Center (opens in a new window) - For support in exploring and pursuing study-abroad programs and for GVSU- and regionally-funded scholarships (these are outside our wheelhouse)

• Email [email protected] for help submitting semi-finalist materials or for assistance in formally accepting an award
• If your fellowship requires institutional endorsement, submit your work by the internal deadline and get ready to take notes and act on the feedback you receive
• SUBMIT your work! (It’s best to do so BEFORE the deadline, as web portals may crash at the last minute with all of the activity)
• Save email submission-received notifications, and prepare for a possible follow-up interview (for fellowships with fall deadlines, these usually occur in March and April)
• BEST WISHES TO YOU! Take a big breath and a day just for yourself! No matter what happens with the external review process, a completed fellowship application is a major achievement! Save your application essays in that Google folder - your drafts are great preparation for other fellowship applications and for graduate-school application essays

• Plan ahead. Most competitive award applications require months of preparation.
• Carefully review eligibility criteria and make a checklist of application components.
• Outline. Outlines, bullet points, mind maps and other organizational strategies provide focus and structure. 
• Create a compelling opening sentence and paragraph. This paragraph becomes the framework for the rest of the statement. 
• Be sure to respond to all of the prompts.
• Show-- don't tell-- readers. Offer concrete examples to support your assertions. 
• Avoid clichés and vague language.  Focus on content that is so specifically written that it is only true of you.  
• Visit Tips for Personal Statements.
• Connect with the Fred Meijer Writing Center (opens in a new window).
• Proofread your application. And then proofread it again.
• Always have Plans B, C, D, ... Once you have completed your first competitive application, don’t hesitate to repackage it and apply for other fellowships. Keep in mind that fellowship essays can be great starting drafts for graduate school applications.