Help me find graduate fellowship programs in the US.

October 14, 2006 9:23 PM

What are some good graduate fellowship programs for an electrical engineering student in the US?

I am graduating with both a B.S. in electrical engineering and a B.S. in computer science in May. I know deadlines are coming up soon, but I would like to apply for a few different fellowships to go on to graduate school (starting Fall 2007). The ones I am already considering:

National Science Foundation
Hertz Foundation
National Physical Science Consortium
National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship

I am a white male with a strong academic background, so merit-based fellowships would be preferable. Also, I am looking for any other advise you care to share regarding these programs. Thanks in advance for your help!

posted by homer2k1 to Education (5 answers total)

If you're willing to put in time working for the DoD, you might try the SMART fellowship. The application is nearly identical to the NDSEG, so it won't be much extra effort, but there is a service commitment there you should be aware of. (They'll fund you as long as you need, but you work for them a year for each year they pay for.)
posted by Upton O'Good at 11:00 PM on October 14, 2006

As of 5 years ago, the ones you're applying for are all the major national ones which would be open to you. It is very likely the institutions to which you're applying will also have a lot of internal fellowships.

As for advice- your letters of recommendation are crucial. For NSF, make sure your research plan seems well thought-out.

For Hertz, the key is the interviews. If you get a first interview, don't be intimidated. Just show them that your critical thinking skills are top-notch. For the second interview, you'll have to ask someone else for advice. (I was a Finalist, but I didn't get the fellowship).

Just remember- not getting one of the major national fellowships isn't a big deal. If you're good enough to be a serious contender, then the institution you choose will take pretty good care of you.
posted by JMOZ at 8:14 AM on October 15, 2006

I should also mention that it is very helpful (especially for Hertz) to have a wide-ranging background knowledge of current research in your field. It doesn't necessarily need to be in depth, but at least a familiarity. I would pick up a few issues of Scientific American and Science and at least skim articles in your field. Depending on what part of EE/CS you're in, you might consider specialist journals as well.
posted by JMOZ at 8:20 AM on October 15, 2006

That list looks pretty complete to me. There's also the study-abroad fellowships (eg Gates, Fulbright, Rhodes) but it sounds like that's not what you're looking for.

Like JMOZ pointed out, it's not the end of the world if you don't get one of those fellowships. The schools you're applying to will probably make their admissions decision before they know about whether you got the fellowships, so it's really just about having more freedom choosing advisors and projects once you arrive.
posted by heresiarch at 8:39 AM on October 15, 2006

Response by poster: Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your help.
posted by homer2k1 at 10:15 AM on October 15, 2006