Faculty & Advisor Resources

If you have an exceptional student that would be competitive and well-suited to any of these awards, consider referring them to the DSAO. Referring students is easy! You can send an e-mail to nifs@msu.edu with the student’s name, email, and as much information as you have and we will reach out to the student. You can also refer students to our office and have them contact us at studentawards@msu.edu or stop in to our office in Bessey Hall, room 186.

One of the most crucial ways faculty and advisors can support applicants is through mentorship before the application process even begins. The most successful applicants have had a faculty mentor with whom they have worked and have supported their development. Mentors help students refine research interests, understand their field and think about career goals, identify graduate programs, and provide feedback on application drafts.

Faculty also play an important role in the nomination process. We are always interested in faculty who are willing to serve on mock interview committees and nomination committees for awards that require an institutional nomination. If you are interested in serving on a committee please contact the DSAO at studentawards@msu.edu and we will follow up with you.

Most prestigious awards require at least four letters of recommendation, or reference letters, from faculty who have supervised a student’s research and/or have had a student in a course. Letters of reference for prestigious awards have some unique features that set them apart from other types of letters of recommendation. It is important that letters of recommendation are tailored for each award. Below are some resources for writing a strong letter of recommendation. (Selecting these links will open a new window)

• General Advice
• Churchill Scholarship
• Goldwater Scholarship
• Marshall Scholarship
• Mitchell Scholarship
• Rhodes Scholarship
• Truman Scholarship
• Udall Scholarship