The Unofficial SMART Scholarship Forum

go to usajobs.com, and do a search on "pathways" to find other opportunities for federal internships and coops. also look into NREIP

Not to be a downer, but don't get your hopes up. In 2010 and 2011, the program awarded about 300 scholarships. Last year it was 130 (and award notifications went out about 2 months late). Keep in mind this is out of thousands of applicants.

You might get it, you might not. But don't sit around checking your email every single day like a lot of us were doing last year. There could be massive delays again, and even if there aren't, worrying about it won't help you. Apply to other opportunities (REUs) and see what you can get.

If I am a current college freshman and applied for the bioscience field with a major in molecular biology, a gpa of 3.69 from my first semester, and a 3.72 from high school transcripts sent would my chances be higher or lower? I just became aware of the fact that very few undergrads ever make it into the bioscience fields.

Some departments at some facilities are only taking graduate & retention (usually also graduate) SMART scholars, other are taking both undergraduate and graduate. If you have a particular SF and have a contact there, you should ask what their plans are.

Your actual chances will depend on what the SFs need (or predict they need when you graduate), your degree, your grades, experience, etc etc. I know a few people who were accepted as undergraduates within the past couple years and also know people who were denied. I'd say the biggest factors are what specific departments and specific facilities are looking for and how qualified you are. (grades, experience, etc.)

I am a freshman in college entering for my sophomore year. I was wondering what my actual chances are for getting this scholarship. Most of the people I've seen on this site are graduates, and that worries me. I will still fill out the application, I was just wondering what my actual chances of receiving this scholarship are.