College of Communication Scholarship Application Instructions
By filling out this application, you will be considered for any scholarships for which you are eligible. Scholarships for all Communication students * Scholarships and Fellowships given by Advertising and Public Relations * Scholarships given by Comm Studies * Scholarships given by CSD * Scholarships and Fellowships given by Journalism * Scholarships given by RTF * Jesse Jones Fellowships
1. Reference request
The application will first ask you for the contact information of the people you are asking to write a letter of recommendation. Our system will send a letter request, via email, to your references, who must complete the recommendation process online. All recommendations must be received by March 31, so please start this process as early in March as possible. The entire process is online; paper letters will not be accepted.
Undergraduate students will be asked for two references.
Graduate students will be asked for three references.
If you are a member of the University debate team and wish to be considered for the Jesse Jones Debate scholarship, one reference MUST be from a reference who can speak to your debate record and abilities. Please see Dr. Rollins for more information about this award.
2. Address Verification
You will be asked to verify/update your local contact information.
3. Activities
You will be asked to list up to five activities in each of the following categories:
• Jobs/Internships
• University Clubs/Organizations
• Other Activities
4. Statement of Purpose
Your prompt will vary depending on your classification
Undergraduate students: Write a statement of purpose explaining why you are pursuing a degree in Communication and what you plan to do after graduation. Please explain why the College of Communication should invest in you and what academic or industry contribution you aspire to make during your career. (max. 300 words)
Graduate students:
a) Write a statement describing your plan of study and potential benefit you would receive from this financial assistance. (max. 300 words)
b) You MUST also submit your resume/CV via email to the Scholarship Coordinator (comm-osascholarship@austin.utexas.edu) between March 2 and March 31.
5. Essay on an Assigned Topic
Your prompt will vary depending on your major. Double majors in Communication will be asked to respond to the prompts for both departments.
Advertising and PR: What do you see as the biggest trends in advertising and PR in the next five years? How will they impact your work in the industry? (max. 300 words)
Communication Studies: The University of Texas has a slogan that says “What Starts Here Changes the World.” How will an award from the College enable you to take your part in changing the world? (max. 300 words)
Communication Sciences and Disorders: How does the field of CSD impact our lives today? (max. 300 words)
Journalism:
a) Please select your area(s) of interest/study from the following options: political journalism, radio broadcasting, community journalism, newspaper journalism, magazine journalism, copy editing and design; broadcast journalism, photojournalism, multimedia, sports journalism.
b) Answer the prompt: Please elaborate on your interest in the area(s) indicated above and explain how a degree from the School of Journalism will help you excel in your chosen field. (max. 300 words)
Radio-Television-Film:
a) Please select your area(s) of interest/study from the following options: media studies, screenwriting, directing, cinematography, production, broadcasting, television, radio broadcasting.
b) Answer the prompt: Please elaborate on your interest in the area(s) indicated above and explain how a degree from the Radio-Television-Film program will help you excel in your chosen field. (max. 300 words)
6. Scholarship Questions
To qualify for certain specific awards, please answer the following questions:
a. Were you born in the United Sates?
If not, have you been a naturalized citizen for at least 10 years?
b. Please rate your Spanish fluency on a scale of 1 to 10 (one is not a all, 5 is moderate reading, writing and speaking, 10 is completely fluent in reading, writing and speaking).
c. If you are member of any student chapters of professional organizations, please list them here. (Even if you have already listed them in the Activities section [section 3], please list them again).
d. If you participated in any UIL Journalism events while you were in high school please list them here.
e. If you have worked for the Daily Texan please list your positions here and indicate if they were paid.
7. Additional Essays (optional, strongly encouraged)
You have now provided all the basic application information. You may also qualify for certain awards that require additional materials. In preparation for the March application, please review the awards below.
You are strongly encouraged to prepare the additional essays in advance and then paste them into the application at the appropriate time.
Additional scholarships for all majors
Advertising and Public Relations scholarships
Radio-Television-Film scholarships
There are no additional materials required for scholarships from Communication Sciences and Disorders or Communication Studies.
8. Other Circumstances (optional)
If there is any information that you have not provided us in the application that you want our committees to know (for example: extenuating financial circumstances, an upcoming job or internship that you did not list already, etc.) please provide it here. (max. 300 words)
