Basic Eligibility
Goldwater applicants must:
1. Be a matriculated sophomore or junior pursuing a degree at an accredited 2- or 4-year institution of higher education and be a full-time matriculated student during the academic terms when receiving scholarship support from the Foundation.
2. Intend to pursue a research career in a natural science, mathematics or engineering,1
3. Have a college grade point average of at least a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale 2, and
4. Be a U.S. citizen or national from the 50 States, District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, and any other territory or possession of the United States; or a permanent resident. A permanent resident must submit a photocopy of their Permanent Resident Card, also known as a Green Card.
1The natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics fields and sub-fields used by the Goldwater Foundation to determine eligibility are those used by the National Science Foundation for its Graduate Research Fellowship Program. These include: Chemistry, Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering, Engineering, Geosciences, Life Sciences, Materials Research, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, and Psychology. To view a field’s sub-fields, click on the field in the table on the eligibility page.
While research in medicine is not supported by the National Science Foundation, students interested in pursuing careers in medicine or veterinary medicine are eligible for a Goldwater Scholarship IF RESEARCH IS A CENTRAL PART OF THE STUDENT’S CAREER GOALS.
2In recent Goldwater competitions, GPAs have ranged from 3.3 to 4.95 on a 4.0 scale.
Selection Criteria
When reviewing nomination packets, Goldwater reviewers are attempting to determine who these individuals are among the nominees. Application materials will be as varied as the students who submit them. There are, nevertheless, some characteristics among applications that are worth noting. Nomination materials will be reviewed by discipline.
- Demonstrate a passion for doing research is by doing research. When you tell your research story, specify what you contributed to an experiment and what you got out of the experience, so the reviewer can evaluate your interest in and passion for doing research.
- Demonstrate ownership of the project, or some part of the project. You do not have to be involved in a research project that occurs on the world’s largest particle accelerator. You can demonstrate sophisticated and elegant thinking and analysis doing research on the ecosystem of the pond behind your dorm.
- Get involved in research as early in your undergraduate experience as possible! If you are going to be nominated as a sophomore for a Goldwater scholarship, the above discussion clearly suggests that you should start engaging in research during your freshman year of college (or even in high school).
USC may nominate four applicants per year. Institutions may also nominate a 5th and 6th student if at least one of the nominees is a transfer student or a U.S. Veteran.
Students seeking the University’s nomination will submit all application materials by the campus deadline. If selected as a USC Goldwater nominee, candidates will be given access to the complete Goldwater online application and referees will have the opportunity to update letters of recommendation.
USC Campus Nomination Application
Complete the short Student Profile and Goldwater Scholarship Pre-Application to be considered for a nomination for a Goldwater Scholarship by USC.
Also...
Email all application components below in one PDF document to Katie Capra kcalvert@usc.edu by Sunday, December 8, 2024. Please include the question prompts in addition to your answers. Letters of recommendation should be emailed to Katie Capra separately by the recommender.
- Resume or CV (include all research activities and awards, along with any papers/publications/conferences associated with work)
- Short Answer Question 1: What are your career goals and professional aspirations? Indicate which area(s) of mathematics, science or engineering you are considering pursuing in your research career and specify how your current academic program and your overall educational plans will assist you in achieving your career goals and professional aspirations. (3,000 character limit including spaces)
- Short Answer Question 1a (IF APPLICABLE): If you plan on attaining a M.D., M.D./Ph.D., D.O., D.O./Ph.D., D.V.M., or D.V.M./Ph.D., degree, explain why a medical (M.D., D.O.) or veterinary degree (D.VM.) is necessary for you to achieve your research goals? (2,000 character limit including spaces)
- Short Answer Question 1b (IF APPLICABLE): If your degree includes becoming a medical doctor (M.D., D.O., DVM, or DMD), briefly describe the steps you have taken to prepare yourself for a career involving medical care of humans or animals. (1,500 character limit including spaces)
- Short Answer Question 2: Describe an activity or experience that has been important in helping shape or reinforce your desire to pursue a research career in science, mathematics or engineering. (1500 character limit including spaces)
- Short Answer Question 3 (OPTIONAL): Goldwater Scholars will be representative of the diverse economic, ethnic and occupational backgrounds of families in the United States. Describe any social and/or economic impacts you have encountered that influenced your education - either positively or negatively - and how you have dealt with them or incorporated them in your work to reach your career goals. (1,500 character limit including spaces)
- Research essay: Whether your essay is based on prior research or is a proposal, it is important that your essay clearly describes 1) your intellectual contribution or expected contribution to the work, 2) the skills you brought to the work from prior research or course experiences, and 3) the skills you have or expect to obtain from participation in the project. (Read more about the Research Essay here.)
- USC STARS report (If nominated, an official USC transcript will be required in January)
- Transcript from previous institution (transfer students only)
- Permanent Residents: copy of Permanent Resident card (also known as the Green Card)
- Letters of Recommendation (3)
Learn more at General Guidance for Applicants, FAQs, and Insights and Tips from Goldwater Scholars.
Application Timeline
Goldwater application opens early September.
USC Campus Nomination Application
- By Sunday, December 8, 2024: Campus Nomination Application Deadline Email all application components in one PDF document to Katie Capra kcalvert@usc.edu
- Mid-December: USC Nominees Notified
- Sunday, January 26, 2025: Final Campus Deadline for Nominees
Goldwater National Scholarship Application
- Friday, January 31, 2025: Goldwater Scholarship National deadline
Academic Honors and Fellowships