Should I Apply? What are my chances?
It's true that competition is fierce for prestigious national scholarships like the Truman, Goldwater, Udall, Rhodes and Marshall. Thousands of qualified students from the top U.S. universities apply, and only a few receive a scholarship. The application process can be grueling; months of writing and revising essays, preparing for an interview. You might ask yourself, do I stand a chance?
As a student at UW-Madison you have access to the outstanding learning opportunities necessary to win a nationally competitive scholarship. But you will need to start exploring those opportunities early in your undergraduate career (see Becoming a strong scholarship candidate).
It is important to view the application process itself as a worthwhile and rewarding experience. You'll learn more about yourself as you draft a personal narrative and articulate your future educational and career goals. The preparation you put into scholarship applications will serve you well when applying to graduate or professional school, or entering the job market.
If you are curious about one of these awards, take a look at the eligibility requirements and selection criteria. Talk to your advisors, professors and a fellowships advisor at the Undergraduate Academic Awards Office. If you are eligible, interested and are prepared to put in the necessary work, go for it. In the words of one advisor, "there are no guarantees--except that if you do not apply, you are guaranteed not to receive an award."