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Apply for a Norlin Scholarship

We look forward to receiving your application to the Norlin Scholars Program at the University of Colorado at Boulder. You must apply separately for regular admission to CU through the Office of Admissions.

Applicants must demonstrate exceptional achievement or creativity in their academic work or other areas. Students may apply either as high school seniors to enter the program as incoming first-year students or as second-semester sophomores in college to enter the program as rising juniors. High school seniors must have applied to the University of Colorado in order to apply for a Norlin Scholarship. Students applying for rising junior scholarships must have completed 3 semesters of university work at CU or elsewhere (status is based upon number of semesters of full-time academic work, rather than credit hours). See instructions below. Colorado residents as well as out-of-state and international students are eligible.

Application Instructions

Applicants please read--Please be sure to personally mail your application and to mail it with plenty of time in case of error. Return receipt mail or hand delivery is highly recommended. Norlin Scholars progam will not accept late applications for any reason.

Your complete application includes these items (and only these items):

Norlin application form (rising juniors use this link.)
Norlin Scholar essay
One letter of reference from a counselor or teacher who can comment on your qualifications for this program along with the corresponding Letter of Recommendation Form
CU Student ID# (Once you've applied to CU, you'll have a CU student ID# assigned to you; please attempt to get this number from the Admissions Office for you application. If you haven't been assigned one, leave this part of the application blank.)

Providing more materials than requested will disqualify the student's application.

See Tips for Writing Application Essays and Letters of Recommendation.

Mail these items IN A SINGLE PACKET to:

Norlin Scholars Program
University of Colorado at Boulder
Norlin Library, Room S436
365 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0365

Deadline for receipt is February 1, 2009.

We strongly recommend mailing your application return receipt requested--especially if you are applying close to the deadline.

If your mailing service requires a physical address, please use:

Norlin Scholars Program
University of Colorado at Boulder
1720 Pleasant St.
Boulder, CO 80309-0365

TIPS FOR WRITING APPLICATION ESSAYS
AND GETTING STRONG LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

There is an art to writing personal essays and statements and letters of recommendation. Competitive programs and scholarships will receive hundreds of applications and review them in a matter of hours or days. Your essay and your letter must stand out in order for you to be selected!

ESSAYS

DOs!

Individualize the essay

Address only the question or topic requested
Make reference to the program/scholarship in the essay

Write several drafts

Get feedback on drafts from a trusted mentor/advisor
Let pieces go that don't fit
Keep to the word or page limit

Be creative

Since everyone will be addressing a similar topic, be unique in presentation (tell a story; use poetry or other literary forms; be daring!)

Use an authentic voice

Write in the first person--it's an essay about you
Convey a sense of your self in the tone, language, and form
Communicate your core values and talents concisely
Show who you are, rather than tell what you've done

Proofread and edit your essay

Do spell and grammar checks
Have a trusted mentor review the essay
Read the essay out loud for errors
Correct all mistakes

DON'Ts!

Give a laundry list of your accomplishments
Write a "formula" essay (e.g. avoid "Why I make a good Norlin Scholar" format)
Use slang, jargon, cliches, or excessively elaborate prose
Exceed the word or page limit
Submit the same essay for multiple applications, merely substituting the names of the program for each one

LETTERS

Ask a teacher, counselor or former employer who knows you well to write the letter; ask if they can provide you a strong and positive recommendation. If they don't know you, find someone else.
Show the letter-writer these recommendations.
Read the instructions for the letter of recommendation and discuss it with your recommender.
Show the letter-writer your essay and ask her/him to write a letter that complements, rather than reiterates, what you have already said.
Like personal essays, letters should avoid the formulaic; remind letter-writers we read hundreds at a time.
If your recommender is writing multiple letters for you (or for others) ask her/him to make sure your name is correct, that pronouns match, and that the proper program is named in the letter.
Give your recommender a deadline well before the application deadline so you can include the letter in your application if that is what is asked of you.
Follow up with the recommender, picking up the letter personally. Don't depend on the recommender to take care of this!

Essay Topic

Incoming students:
Choose one academic, professional or creative activity you've participated in and, using that as your central focus, show us how you'd make a unique contribution to our community of scholars. In formulating the essay, consider the following: What prompted you to pursue this interest? How does it show a love of learning? How does your approach to the activity show your creativity? Are there any unusual features to your background or life experiences that pushed you in this particular direction? Has this interest motivated you to choose a major or career path? If so, how? Based on what you know of the Norlin community, how might this interest —or similar interests— contribute to the community? What, in short, does your involvement in this activity say about you and what will you add to this dynamic group of students?

Also, please let us know in your essay if you're interested in Philosophy or Business or in pursuing a doctorate in order to become a professor in your chosen field. We have special scholarships earmarked for those areas of study.

Rising juniors:
Please share with readers how your life experiences, academic choices, and personal and professional interests exhibit the qualities of a Norlin Scholar.

This essay is your chance to give us an idea of what you're like as a person, what you care about, and why you think you're well suited to the Norlin Scholars Program. Remember that we have no single model in mind; however, we appreciate creative and engaging essays that avoid "laundry lists" of your accomplishments. Please limit your essay to 1000 words.