1. Explore Opportunities

• 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 for more information
   

2. Meet with the Fellowships Advisor

• 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
   

3. Brainstorm, Journal, Start Writing

• 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 webinars and webpages about creating strong 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

4. Check Out Resources On Campus

There are many resources across campus to support students. 

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

5. Share Your Drafts, Revise, Revise Again, and Submit!

• 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
   

Helpful Application Tips

• Plan ahead.   Most competitive award applications require weeks, if not months, of preparation.
   
• Carefully review eligibility criteria and make a check-list of application components.
   
• Fully answer all essay prompts.
   
• Visit Tips for Personal Statements.
   
• Connect with the Fred Meijer Writing Center.
   
• Proofread your application.