The Unofficial SMART Scholarship Forum

Guest wrote:Received the award. For future applicant's reference:
Desired Degree: Incoming MS in Geodesy (starting in the fall)
Undergraduate degree: BS in Environmental Engineering (GPA: 3.35)
Facility: Naval Oceanographic Office- Stennis Space Center, Mississippi
One of the original preferences? Yes
Interviewed by facility? Yes via phone call
Received preference call? Yes

I received a call from the SMART office a few weeks ago to discuss my interviews and re-rank my facility preferences. The SF that sponsored me was my 3rd preference originally, but after interviews they were my number 1. I was lucky enough to receive the SMART call to re-rank my preferences and ended up getting sponsored by the facility I re-ranked to number 1.

For those who are waiting for second round awards/re-applying in the future, don't give up. I was lucky to receive the award because the master's program I am going into (geodesy) has very little applicants and is heavily desired by the DoD (NGA, Navy, etc). The school and program I am attending also has a great reputation in the field and with the DoD. Just some advice, if you are re-applying then find facilities that need your skills and interests. Tailor your resume to fit these needs! Also, research the universities that have good reputations with the DoD. Some schools/programs have a better chance of getting you sponsored than others. I would imagine putting undecided for the university you plan to attend would lower your chances, although I am not completely sure on that. Good luck, and stay positive.

random123 wrote:Hey! Congrats to everyone, well-deserved! Was wondering how likely it is to get chosen for an award 'second-round'?

random123 wrote:Hey! Congrats to everyone, well-deserved! Was wondering how likely it is to get chosen for an award 'second-round'?

2018Awardee wrote:

Guest wrote:For any previous year scholars on here, did your Point of Contact tell you what your specific job title and salary will be?

No, and many don't find out specific job titles until after they graduate. For reference, most undergrads are a GS-7 approx. $37,000), master's a GS-9 ($45,000) or PhD GS-11 ($54,000) starting at step 1. If you go to OPM's website and look at the pay scale you can estimate what your salary will be. It's adjusted for location too, so somewhere like D.C. is going to technically get paid more because it's expensive to live there whereas someone at like Wright-Patt in Ohio won't because Ohio is cheaper to live.

Some people really love their jobs with SMART while a see plenty unhappy scholars with acquisition or project management jobs. Check out the awardee threads and maybe do a search to see what other people have said on this forum.

Guest wrote:For any previous year scholars on here, did your Point of Contact tell you what your specific job title and salary will be?

tytrewq wrote:My email says at this time I have not been selected but over the next few weeks that could change.

Is this the rejection email others have talked about or is this a third category? (Accepted, wait listed, and denied)
If it is a third category, does anyone know how many get wait listed? Still holding on to any shred of hope I can...

Congrats to those who have been accepted!

Guest wrote:For any previous year scholars on here, did your Point of Contact tell you what your specific job title and salary will be?

AnotherGuest wrote:

rerathar wrote:

physics wrote:
I'm assuming things won't go out for another couple hours.

I got an award e-mail from SMART at 10AM EST today.

Guest1268493 wrote:

Guest wrote:I haven't gotten an email yet, but its showing the award notification again when I log into the portal

Check your spam. I am a current/2018 scholar and it went straight to my spam folder.

Good luck and congrats everyone!

Guest wrote:I haven't gotten an email yet, but its showing the award notification again when I log into the portal