The Unofficial SMART Scholarship Forum

Guestwhoitis wrote:I did receive the award.

Cumulative GPA: 3.18
Last 60 Credit Hours: 3.5
Undergrad: Engineering Physics
M.S: Computational Science
GRE: 152 Math 146 Verbal

Guest wrote:

Guest wrote:So I was the one who found the loophole and told everyone. I was awarded, but I can tell you right now that your grades and test scores don't mean everything. I have a 3.18 at Texas A&M University, with my major being meteorology and minor in oceanography. I graduate in May and they will be funding my masters. My GRE scores for verbal was a 142 and math was a 151; I completely suck at standardized testing. But I nailed the interview, and my research, work experience, and my letters of rec is what helped me get in. So you don't have to be the best of the best to get this scholarship. They care about performance. They have seen me perform in my undergrad and saw how much I've done, so they awarded me. I'm completely shocked to be honest, because I was told by professors across the states that I wouldn't get it and I was wasting my time to even apply for it. So I'm telling you there is hope out there for you guys, because when I thought I was the least qualified based on GPA and GRE scores...I was awarded. So don't give up, because I didn't. I'm rooting for all of you!

So stating qualifications gets you nowhere. Just proven.

Wow congrats man! I really thought that most of awardees were going to be 4.0 or somethings but it is good to see that they are looking mainly on experience and relevance of the field of study. I was the "jerk" that posted the first qualifications (PhD in chemistry physics) and I want to apologize if I offended anyone, even though I firmly believe there is nothing to feel bad about, since I was not trying to humiliate anyone, just get a sense of where we stand. And I don't know about all of the others, but it helped get that sense. Now, I know that I might get the scholarship not based on my GPA but my experience and the relevance of my field (just as my recommendation letters). This have really gave hope! Thanks again!!!! And sorry if I have offended anyone.

Guest wrote:So I was the one who found the loophole and told everyone. I was awarded, but I can tell you right now that your grades and test scores don't mean everything. I have a 3.18 at Texas A&M University, with my major being meteorology and minor in oceanography. I graduate in May and they will be funding my masters. My GRE scores for verbal was a 142 and math was a 151; I completely suck at standardized testing. But I nailed the interview, and my research, work experience, and my letters of rec is what helped me get in. So you don't have to be the best of the best to get this scholarship. They care about performance. They have seen me perform in my undergrad and saw how much I've done, so they awarded me. I'm completely shocked to be honest, because I was told by professors across the states that I wouldn't get it and I was wasting my time to even apply for it. So I'm telling you there is hope out there for you guys, because when I thought I was the least qualified based on GPA and GRE scores...I was awarded. So don't give up, because I didn't. I'm rooting for all of you!

So stating qualifications gets you nowhere. Just proven.

Gruut wrote:

Guest wrote:So I was the one who found the loophole and told everyone. I was awarded, but I can tell you right now that your grades and test scores don't mean everything. I have a 3.18 at Texas A&M University, with my major being meteorology and minor in oceanography. I graduate in May and they will be funding my masters. My GRE scores for verbal was a 142 and math was a 151; I completely suck at standardized testing. But I nailed the interview, and my research, work experience, and my letters of rec is what helped me get in. So you don't have to be the best of the best to get this scholarship. They care about performance. They have seen me perform in my undergrad and saw how much I've done, so they awarded me. I'm completely shocked to be honest, because I was told by professors across the states that I wouldn't get it and I was wasting my time to even apply for it. So I'm telling you there is hope out there for you guys, because when I thought I was the least qualified based on GPA and GRE scores...I was awarded. So don't give up, because I didn't. I'm rooting for all of you!

So stating qualifications gets you nowhere. Just proven.

Inspirational !! And thanks for finding the loophole..

Guest wrote:So I was the one who found the loophole and told everyone. I was awarded, but I can tell you right now that your grades and test scores don't mean everything. I have a 3.18 at Texas A&M University, with my major being meteorology and minor in oceanography. I graduate in May and they will be funding my masters. My GRE scores for verbal was a 142 and math was a 151; I completely suck at standardized testing. But I nailed the interview, and my research, work experience, and my letters of rec is what helped me get in. So you don't have to be the best of the best to get this scholarship. They care about performance. They have seen me perform in my undergrad and saw how much I've done, so they awarded me. I'm completely shocked to be honest, because I was told by professors across the states that I wouldn't get it and I was wasting my time to even apply for it. So I'm telling you there is hope out there for you guys, because when I thought I was the least qualified based on GPA and GRE scores...I was awarded. So don't give up, because I didn't. I'm rooting for all of you!

So stating qualifications gets you nowhere. Just proven.

Guest wrote:

Guest wrote:I'm a first year undergrad studying Computer Science and Math with a focus in theoretical CS. I go to a pretty big public research university in the North East, and I've been studying CS in an out of school for about 5 years now. I was selected by an SF that interviewed me because they said that they were looking for people who were interested in CS but wanted to work in theory as opposed to Software Engineering. I submitted my ACT scores which was a composite 32/36.

I think that I'm significantly under qualified for SMART, but hopefully ASEE thinks otherwise haha. Good luck to
everyone!

What SF called you if you don't mind me asking?

Guest wrote:I'm a first year undergrad studying Computer Science and Math with a focus in theoretical CS. I go to a pretty big public research university in the North East, and I've been studying CS in an out of school for about 5 years now. I was selected by an SF that interviewed me because they said that they were looking for people who were interested in CS but wanted to work in theory as opposed to Software Engineering. I submitted my ACT scores which was a composite 32/36.

I think that I'm significantly under qualified for SMART, but hopefully ASEE thinks otherwise haha. Good luck to
everyone!

guest wrote:

guest wrote:

Guest020202 wrote:I was one of the people who accepted the scholarship through the loophole, but I'll tell you I'm not really a stellar candidate in terms of my resume. I graduated with a B.S. in statistics with only a 3.3 and I'm currently pursuing my master's in statistical computing, Data Mining track. My GRE scores were verbal: 156 and math: 163. I have no fancy extracurriculars, no research, no relevant work experience. I think the only thing that might set me apart is that my program is probably more unique as compared to most who have applied (engineering).

That was really sweet of you to put yourself out there like that. Good luck with your future endeavors.

Did you have any interviews? If so, how many?

Guest wrote:Let us then state our qualifications just to see where we stand. I just finish my 1st year of PhD on chemical physics. I went from BS in physics to PhD in chemical physics directly. My GPA for the BS was 3.71 (General) 3.82 (Concentration). I have been doing research in material science for about 5 years now and I have vast experience in the synthesis of materials through various techniques and also I can use characterization equipment and analyze the data from them. I have been involved in many applications related projects and I have one on my own about to publish in an journal (my first paper, as principal) and I have another project which I am working on to see it through and get it publish as well. I have been a NASA & NSF fellow for different scholarships and I have never been without a fellowship since second semester first year of my BS. Also I have presented many Posters and Orals in international and local conferences (a little over 9 or 10). If you are just starting your BS don't worry!! this would be a more fair comparison to those entering grad school or in grad school already. Maybe BS seniors also.

guest wrote:

Guest020202 wrote:I was one of the people who accepted the scholarship through the loophole, but I'll tell you I'm not really a stellar candidate in terms of my resume. I graduated with a B.S. in statistics with only a 3.3 and I'm currently pursuing my master's in statistical computing, Data Mining track. My GRE scores were verbal: 156 and math: 163. I have no fancy extracurriculars, no research, no relevant work experience. I think the only thing that might set me apart is that my program is probably more unique as compared to most who have applied (engineering).

That was really sweet of you to put yourself out there like that. Good luck with your future endeavors.

Guest020202 wrote:I was one of the people who accepted the scholarship through the loophole, but I'll tell you I'm not really a stellar candidate in terms of my resume. I graduated with a B.S. in statistics with only a 3.3 and I'm currently pursuing my master's in statistical computing, Data Mining track. My GRE scores were verbal: 156 and math: 163. I have no fancy extracurriculars, no research, no relevant work experience. I think the only thing that might set me apart is that my program is probably more unique as compared to most who have applied (engineering).

Guest020202 wrote:I was one of the people who accepted the scholarship through the loophole, but I'll tell you I'm not really a stellar candidate in terms of my resume. I graduated with a B.S. in statistics with only a 3.3 and I'm currently pursuing my master's in statistical computing, Data Mining track. My GRE scores were verbal: 156 and math: 163. I have no fancy extracurriculars, no research, no relevant work experience. I think the only thing that might set me apart is that my program is probably more unique as compared to most who have applied (engineering).

Gruut wrote:People.. please dont turn this thread into a **ck-measuring contest.. You are only going to make other people feel miserable. DoD SF's aren't going to choose the smartest.. they will choose people who do things that align with their interests. Veterans and minorities are going to get higher preference. Only less than a quarter of the awards are going to Ph.D's because contractors do most of the work.
Also if you got an interview... awesome.. even if not, you still have a chance.

Guys you will hear from them on or before friday.. Checking the website 2000 times a day will not change your outcome.. Go grab a beer and chill !!

Guest wrote:Let us then state our qualifications just to see where we stand. I just finish my 1st year of PhD on chemical physics. I went from BS in physics to PhD in chemical physics directly. My GPA for the BS was 3.71 (General) 3.82 (Concentration). I have been doing research in material science for about 5 years now and I have vast experience in the synthesis of materials through various techniques and also I can use characterization equipment and analyze the data from them. I have been involved in many applications related projects and I have one on my own about to publish in an journal (my first paper, as principal) and I have another project which I am working on to see it through and get it publish as well. I have been a NASA & NSF fellow for different scholarships and I have never been without a fellowship since second semester first year of my BS. Also I have presented many Posters and Orals in international and local conferences (a little over 9 or 10). If you are just starting your BS don't worry!! this would be a more fair comparison to those entering grad school or in grad school already. Maybe BS seniors also.

guest5534 wrote:

Guest wrote:

udontnojakki wrote:Given all this speculation and waiting, I'm kind of terrified for Friday. :cry:

I've been convincing myself that I'm way too under qualified for this, so come Friday I'll either be really happy or not surprised at all.

That is exactly what I am thinking.