The Honors College Scholarship For International Research

Application Forms: MS Word  -  Acrobat PDF

The NMSU Honors College Scholarship provides outstanding sophomore and junior Honors College eligible students with an unusual opportunity for a foreign travel/research experience in their third year of undergraduate study. The experience, designed by the student as part of the application process, must offer the opportunity to refine a world view or philosophy of life that will complement and bring a higher level of understanding to his/her undergraduate education. It must go beyond a simple addition to their disciplinary studies or a traditional study-abroad experience. Such experiences might, for example, take the form of a research experience in a lab overseas, a creative project in a foreign country, or a unique international study proposal.

In addition, the Program will help prepare student applicants for participation in the prestigious British Marshall and Rhodes scholarship programs during their senior year. Similar to those scholarship programs, the Honors College Scholar will be selected on the basis of the student's ability to define a significant experience and the evaluation of two committees concerning the ability of the student to use the opportunity to make significant contributions to society.

This year's application process will begin in January and the selection of a Scholar will be announced in March. Each Scholar will receive the following benefits:

• A stipend/scholarship totaling $5,000.00 paid during the student's Junior year or during the summer prior to the Junior year (Junior class applicants must use the scholarship during the summer of the Junior year), and available to cover the student's expenses for a special travel/research experience, as designated in the student's scholarship proposal.
• Designation as an Honors College Scholar.
• A faculty mentor to oversee the student's development.

The selection process will require student applicants to demonstrate previous – as well as the potential for – significant personal development in the following five qualities:

• Intellectual curiosity and achievement.
• Mental agility – to handle the unexpected and to solve problems.
• Questing spirit – to pursue the greater challenge and to take risk.
• Moral character – to establish exceptional standards of personal and public ideals, expectations, and performance.
• Leadership – to serve, lead, and receive the recognition of their peers.

Application is made through the development of a portfolio collection of the work and ideas of the student. The selection committees, composed of NMSU faculty, administrators, and members of the public, will seek to gauge the extent of the applicant's knowledge, leadership skills, the manner in which the applicant makes decisions, and the motivation of the applicant to improve his/her intellectual life.

To apply, students must have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA and be of sophomore or junior standing. Applicants from all colleges are encouraged to apply. Students at branch campuses may apply but must enroll at the main NMSU campus by the time of the award.

Past Scholars

Scholarship Application Deadlines for 2008