In 20 years, the Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs has helped students win more than $2 million.
The office has helped 53 students become winners of prestigious national competitions. Fellowships Coordinator Jen Bess attributes this to the early establishment of the program at the university.
“We were definitely ahead of the national trend for having a fellowships office,” Bess said. “I think that speaks to the emphasis that the university has placed on the importance of fellowships. They saw early on that this was something that needed to be supported and took steps to make sure that support was provided.”
Even though it has a long track record of success, the office is still working on improving their statistics and finding ways to better help students and expand to a wider range of students.
“At many institutions, national fellowship advising is limited to one particular high-ability population, often housed within an honors program,” said Novella Beskid, director of fellowships and scholar programs. “At USC, national fellowship advising services are open to any high ability student — Honors, Capstone, undergraduate and graduate students. I believe this inclusive approach sets us apart.”
Out of all students who underwent fellowship application processes through the office, 98 percent said it was beneficial for them, whether it was the funding awarded or the self-discovery that comes with it.
And according to Bess, when students first go to the OFSP office, they often don’t see themselves as a competitive applicant.
“It’s not unusual for students to start out thinking that they aren’t anything special, but when we work with them on completing the application they gain a new appreciation for the things they have done and the goals that they have,” Bess said. “It can be hard to think of yourself as extraordinary when your own experiences are all you have known.”
And even if students do not come out as a winner in the competition, many of them find the process rewarding.
“There is no sense in fearing rejection or the application process itself. I was rejected from my first try at the [Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship], but it gave me practice in the application process,” said third-year marine science and German student Riley Brady. “I believe there is a national fellowship out there for every student’s interests.”
Faculty members work with the OFSP office to serve as advisors and members of interview committees for fellowships, especially for the bigger competitions.
A total of 151 faculty members coordinate with the OFSP, Bess said, and every faculty member surveyed said they “find supporting student’s construction of a competitive application packet a rewarding experience,” and “believe that students can better explain their academic and career goals as a result of the process.”
“Faculty find it rewarding to help students because they want to see them succeed, and they love learning about students’ passions,” Bess said. “Every faculty member was once a college student. They understand the need for support, as well as the large impact such support can have on students.”