Mary Gates Endowment For Students

Leadership Selection Criteria

Selection Criteria

Listed below are the review criteria provided to the review committee reading the applications. There are four general criteria. These are factors that reviewers will take into account, but we understand that you may not have the space in your essay to address each bullet point equally.

Characteristics of the Applicant

  • Preparation – Adequate preparation for proposed work and the student’s potential for success
  • Motivation – sincere interest, enthusiasm and commitment to the project or leadership experience
  • Mentor’s overall assessment of student’s abilities, potential for learning, and ability to lead the project

Context

  • Project – the purpose and goals of the project are clear and the steps for achieving the goals are explained
  • Purpose/Impact – the student explains the need for the proposed project and the ways in which the project (or the project’s proposed outcomes) will impact others
  • Feasible – the project is achievable given the scope, timeline, and resources available
  • Fit – the project makes sense for this student and the essay articulates the unique role they will play
  • Commitment to project – the application essay provides an understanding of how and why the student is involved in this particular effort at this particular time
  • Previous Award Recipients: More responsibility and/or larger scale effort that builds on previous award 

Leadership

  • Leadership – the student defines their understanding of leadership
  • Project/Leadership connection – student explains in what ways the project is a leadership project including addressing how the project will impact or shape their leadership practice or understanding
  • Collaboration – the applicant articulates with whom they are working and the roles that each person is playing, if applicable (particularly if the student is part of a group or team)
  • Mentor – both the applicant and the mentor articulate how they will work together on the student’s project and leadership goals
  • Previous Award Recipients: Deeper understanding of leadership and more elaborate connection between project and leadership practice 

Reflection, Growth and Impact

  • Reflection – the student explains how they will keep track of (and eventually evaluate) what is being learned
  • Challenges – student articulates the challenges they face in becoming a better leader and the ways in which they will approach the leadership journey
  • Longer-term impact – student discusses the potential impacts on their future goals and aspirations
  • Impact of financial support on student’s engagement with leadership project and impact of being named a Mary Gates Scholar
  • Previous Award Recipients: Statement of new learning opportunities or expected new achievements for this award period; statement of previous accomplishment and growth from prior award; strong connection between leadership growth and longer-term goals

Reworking your Application for a Future Application Cycle

Due to an increased demand for feedback, we cannot meet equitably through one-on-one appointments to review unawarded applications. We invite you to attend a workshop if you would like to get support in reworking your application for a future cycle. “Reworking your MG application” workshops will cover feedback applicable to the majority of applicants.