An insiders guide to the GSBS Common App

An insiders guide to the GSBS Common App for Scholarships and Fellowships Bill Mattox, Ph. D Associate Dean, GSBS Michael Zhu, Ph. D Past Chair, GSBS Student Scholarship Cmte

Application Cycles - Deadlines Fall Common Application – October 31 st, 2018 Spring Common Application – April 30 th, 2019 President’s Research Scholarships -- July 1, 2019

Fall Awards October 5 th: Application Submission Opens October 31 st: Deadline for Applications Early December: Notification of Winners/Finalists Applications submitted through Embark

Fall Scholarships and Fellowships Investing in Student Futures Scholarship The Fadine Jackson Roquemore Scholarship in Cancer Research Andrew Sowell-Wade Huggins Scholarships in Cancer Research Cancer Answers/Sylvan Rodriguez Scholarship Floyd Haar, M. D. , Endowed Memorial Research Award in Memory of Freda Haar Steve Lasher and Janiece Longoria Graduate Student Research Award in Cancer Biology Sam Taub and Beatrice Burton Endowed Fellowships in Vision Disease Roberta M. and Jean M. Worsham Endowed Fellowship Ellen Taylor Goldin Legacy Award The George M. Stancel, Ph. D. Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences Jesse B. Heath, Jr. Family Legacy Award City Federation of Women's Club Endowed Scholarship in the Biomedical Science T. C. Hsu Memorial Scholarship Wei Yu Family Endowed Scholarship Tzu Chi Scholarship Award for Excellence The Antje Wuelfrath Gee and Harry Gee, Jr. Family Legacy Award R. W. Butcher Achievement Award Gigli Family Endowed Scholarship Ralph B. Arlinghaus, Ph. D. Scholarship Mercedes Benz of the Woodlands Scholarship (and still more……)

Important Changes Kopchick Fellowship Applications 1. Now reviewed in Fall Cycle 2. New eligibility criteria for these awards • Must have already submitted Ph. D candidacy petition • But not yet finished fourth doctoral year at GSBS

Important Changes John J. Kopchick Fellowship $7, 500 scholarship + $7, 500 for research – 7 awards Renewable for a second year! Charlene Kopchick Fellowship $8250 scholarship + $8250 for research – 1 award

Important Changes All Fall Awards 6 page research proposal Instead: 1 page Specific Aims 1 page Research Progress report + 1 figure References do not count toward page limits

Important Changes New Award Mercedes Benz of the Woodlands Scholarship $5000 1 award for a Pre-candidacy doctoral student 1 award for a Masters student

Who gets awards? Institution Applicants Winners Percent MD Anderson 42 17 40% UTHealth 22 12 55%

Who gets awards? International/Domestic Applicants Winners Percent International 26 13 50% Domestic 38 16 42%

Who gets awards? Years of enrollment at deadline 1 2 3 4 5 Applicants 10 18 21 13 2 Winners 4 7 9 7 1 Percentage 40% 39% 43% 53% 50%

Review Process - Overview • 2 Faculty reviewers assigned per application • Submit scores and comments to GSBS • All students are ranked • Committee meets to discuss rankings • Final rankings set by committee • Students are matched to awards based on rank and donor intent

Review Process – Three Merit Criteria 1. Accomplishments at GSBS (CV) Papers, Presentations, Posters, external awards 2. Research Project (Specific Aims and Progress Report) Logic, Originality, Significance, Innovation, Clarity 3. Potential as a Scientist (Letters, Latest Committee Report) 4. Statement on Eligibility - can justify research area, outreach, leadership Explain why you are suited for specific awards

Award Match Harry S. and Isabel Cameron Foundation Fellowship Investing in Student Futures Scholarship The Fadine Jackson Roquemore Scholarship in Cancer Research Andrew Sowell-Wade Huggins Scholarships in Cancer Research Cancer Answers/Sylvan Rodriguez Scholarship Floyd Haar, M. D. , Endowed Memorial Research Award in Memory of Freda Haar Steve Lasher and Janiece Longoria Graduate Student Research Award in Cancer Biology Sam Taub and Beatrice Burton Endowed Fellowships in Vision Disease Roberta M. and Jean M. Worsham Endowed Fellowship Ellen Taylor Goldin Legacy Award The George M. Stancel, Ph. D. Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences Jesse B. Heath, Jr. Family Legacy Award City Federation of Women's Club Endowed Scholarship in the Biomedical Science T. C. Hsu Memorial Scholarship Wei Yu Family Endowed Scholarship Tzu Chi Scholarship Award for Excellence The Antje Wuelfrath Gee and Harry Gee, Jr. Family Legacy Award R. W. Butcher Achievement Award Gigli Family Endowed Scholarship Ralph B. Arlinghaus, Ph. D. Scholarship Mercedes Benz of the Woodlands Scholarship (and still more……)

Award Match Assignments are made based on donor intent • Area of Research • Stage in training • Student’s interest in award • Other award-specific criteria Assignment Order Start with highest ranked students and fill slots by: • Size of Award (largest awards to top students) • Narrowness of donor criteria Tip – If you believe you are well-suited to a particular award tell us why in your application.

What is the committee looking for? • Publications and presentations (stage appropriate) • Other evidence of appropriate research progress • External recognition – awards, fellowships (If you’ve had an opportunity to receive these) • Clear and thoughtful presentation • Strong letters of support

What is the committee looking for? Letters of Support Make sure the writers : 1. are supportive of your application 2. know you well enough to comment in depth 3. Understand the criteria for the awards Ask your advisor to: comment on your role in developing the application and ideas Be sure to submit 1 page training plan

Previous GSBS Awards? From 2018 GSBS Graduation Program: Erin Williams Lopez Advisor: Dr. Andrew B. Gladden American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship Rosalie B. Hite Fellowship Sylvan Rodriguez Foundation Scholarship Honoring George M. Stancel, Ph. D Student Inter. Council Academic Achievement Award • Specifically justify why you should receive another award. • What have you done since the last award? • EXCEPTION – The Kopchick Fellowships

Questions from ASC • Is there more of a focus on the scientific process or the trainee potential in the application? • How does the review process work? • How significant is preliminary data to the application? • What are you looking for in a training plan? • What types of awards are available (full fellowship vs. stipend) and what are the rules with receiving multiple awards in different semesters? • What are special considerations for international students?