My Experience with the Gilman Scholarship (and my tips for those applying)

 On Thursday, May 5th this year, I was sitting in a Gustavus classroom around 7:45am, waiting for class to start. I was checking the emails I had received yesterday evening, when I saw the Gilman Scholarship Committee sent a message saying nothing more than to check the status of my application. My chest tensed up a little bit, as I had opened that email twice before in my time at college, and each time it had brought heartbreak.

I had applied for the Gilman twice before, with my application having been rejected both times. I had considered cutting my losses and not applying for a third time, but I realized that if I didn't apply, I was giving up my last chance to become a Gilman scholar. I decided to shoot my shot one last time, and had submitted my application several months before.

When I opened that email, I was ecstatic to see that my mindset had paid off! I was selected to be a Gilman Scholar, and I immediately reached out to the individuals who had supported me on my journey, everybody from my own mother to the professor who kindly wrote a letter of recommendation for me. 

As an individual whose relationship with the Gilman scholarship has spanned several years now, I wanted to share a bit more of the practices I believed allowed me to create a more impactful and well-rounded application. This is not official Gilman-approved parameters for creating a perfect application, it is simply my experience. Nonetheless, I hope that my own experiences and lessons will help you in your own Gilman journey!

• Get started early!
• The Gilman Scholarship portal opens weeks in advance every application cycle, but don't let that amount of time lead you on, this is a scholarship that is time consuming and rigorous. I find that it is one that is best completed when taken on in portions. The requirements change every year, with some years only two essays being required, whereas other years I have written upwards of four essays. It makes a world of difference to work on your essays for about 20-30 minutes a day early on, or you might find yourself quite stressed closer to the due date, as you'll be balancing your application with the other deadlines of college life.

• Take advantage of Gilman-provided resources.
• One aspect of the Gilman scholarship that makes it so unique is the resources and support provided to applicants. Throughout the year, Gilman offers a variety of resources for applicants, such as question and answer sessions, alumni experience panels, tips and tricks for making a strong application, and much more! These allow an individual to directly see what the Gilman wants in their applicants and recipients, and may help ease some of the nerves or uncertainty one may have while applying.

• Develop strong connections with those who are with you on your journey.
• Your scholarship application will include recommendation letters and approval from individuals at your educational institution. Having healthy connections with professors and faculty is already an important part of college (they want to help you, and let's face it, your professors and mentors are some pretty awesome people), but truly getting to know one another will make your application process much more impactful and fun! The professor who graciously wrote my application reference letter was somebody who I already had a great connection with, as she had also been to Japan for academic reasons. Not only was it special knowing that we had that connection, I also learned valuable lessons from her own experience abroad! While your own professor or other reference individual might have their own relationship to you, take that time to know that individual and develop a relationship. Not only is it a sign of respect and gratitude, you might just end up finding new opportunities and memories along the way. 

• If you are applying again, keep your previous applications.
• As the saying goes, there is no need to reinvent the wheel! When I applied for the second and third time, I kept all versions of my Gilman application essays. I reflected on my previous writing, taking note of what I still felt was important to my applications and what could be improved upon. It helped me to think of myself building upon a foundation I had already built, rather than having to start from scratch every time I applied. This also served as time for personal reflection regarding my growth as a person. I could see how my experiences and values had shifted and evolved throughout time, and I found that to be helpful both for the application and in other areas of my life! Old applications might feel silly or poorly constructed, but they are a valuable part of your journey as a Gilman Scholarship! Appreciate them, and then choose to grow from them.

• Make sure you are answering all questions prompted, and that you know why you want to study abroad.
• Studying abroad can be incredibly exciting, but let's face it, it's a big decision! The Gilman scholarship might consist of only a few prompts, but it asks some pretty hefty questions. Whether it be regarding your interest in the country you will be traveling to, or how your experience will impact your future, take some time to think through your answers. Do you want to visit a certain country because you have an ancestral history there, or does it simply fascinate you? Are you studying abroad to increase your knowledge of careers that delve into international relationships, or are you wanting to find an opportunity to explore the world? There are no wrong answers, and studying abroad is an experience that can fulfill many roles in a person's life! What is important to acknowledge is that the Gilman scholarship may be looking for individuals interested in certain career paths or that have specific expectations for their experiences abroad. Whether or not you believe that you fit this criteria, don't let anything deter you from applying! It's critical to remain true to yourself, and to remember that all applications are considered equally and fairly.

• If you don't succeed, try, try again!
• Getting a rejection notice from any scholarship can be frustrating and disappointing, especially when you are unable to receive feedback. What is important to remember is that the next time you apply, the slate is completely fresh. Like I mentioned earlier, when you apply again, you have the opportunity to build upon the application you put forward last time. If you choose to apply again, find ways to grow and learn before the application cycle opens. Not to boost your application, but rather to try new things and evolve your view and understanding of the world around you. I found a small blessing in the fact that I didn't succeed during my first or second application, that being that I was able to grow and mature in that time instead. Yes, I would have loved my experience two years ago, but I believe that I'll be able to appreciate my study abroad experience in a new and more well-developed way. With that same mindset, don't get down on yourself if you receive that rejection notice. You put in some awesome work, and the next time you will be even better!

• If you do succeed, celebrate!
• When you get that acceptance letter, get excited! You've been accepted into a prestigious group of alumni with some awesome benefits for your study abroad experience and the future beyond. Do a little happy dance, and once the excitement has settled down a bit, remember to show gratitude. Let those who helped you along the way know the good news, and thank them for their support. The Gilman scholarship isn't a feat that can happen on your own, it takes a network of individuals that are looking out for you. 

No matter where you are on your journey with the Gilman Scholarship, be proud of what you have accomplished, and know that your work makes a difference. Visit the Gilman website to find more information and resources, and find out when you can apply!

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