GMiS STEM Scholarship
Application Requirements
PLEASE NOTE:
Make sure your SPAM filters are turned off, for any emails from the domain greatmindsinstem.org. This is especially true If you have a GMAIL, HOTMAIL or YAHOO account.
Please first read through the detailed information on this page before you begin the application and also review the FAQs before you contact the GMiS Office.
It is strongly recommended that you have all the following documents ready to upload at the time of application. Documents must be in PDF format or WORD document. Transcripts that are multiple pages must be scanned, saved and uploaded as one single PDF (The system will not allow you to upload each transcript page as individual files). Photos must be submitted as a JPEG as per the instructions below.
- GMiS is no longer accepting transcripts by email. All transcripts must be uploaded directly by you to your application
- Option 1: If Your Institution Provides Official Transcripts via Email or a Clearinghouse – You must direct that the transcript be emailed directly to you. Then, you must download the transcript, open, print and scan only the transcript pages that contain your course and grade information. Next, using Adobe Acrobat you must save all the transcript pages in one single PDF document. Finally, you must upload that PDF document to your application. When you scan your transcript, you may notice the word “Copy” on your transcript. That is okay. The transcript is still valid because it still contain the institution’s imprinted seal and/or the signature of the university registrar/transcript office along with other markers. Please DO NOT directly upload the transcript from the clearinghouse. Transcripts are embedded with an expiration date that may preclude reviewers from accessing your transcript and thus will not be able to score your application. So, please download, print, scan and upload your transcript as a single PDF document.
- Option 2: If Your Institution Provides Official Transcripts by Hand – You may open the officially sealed envelope and scan only the transcript pages that contain your course and grade information. Next, using Adobe Acrobat you must save all the transcript pages in one single PDF document. Finally, you must upload that PDF document to your application. When you scan your transcript, you may notice the word “Copy” on your transcript. That is okay. The transcript is still valid because it still contain the institution’s imprinted seal and/or the signature of the university registrar/transcript office along with other markers.
- Option 3: If Your Institution Will Not Permit Official Transcripts To Be Sent To You – You may direct the transcripts to be electronically sent to Great Minds in STEM at [email protected]. Please note, that due to the high volume of emails during the application period, GMiS may not upload your transcript to your application until after the application deadline. While this will not impact your scholarship application submission, please refrain from contacting the office to check on the status of your application. You may always check the status of your application by logging into the portal.
- OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS – Transcripts are considered official if they contain the imprinted seal of your high school/college/university and/or the signature of the Registrar. When you scan your transcript, you may notice the word “Copy” on your transcript. That is okay. The transcript is still valid because it still contain the institution’s imprinted seal and/or the signature of the university registrar/transcript office along with other markers.
- GRADE REPORTS – Transcripts must be an “Official Transcript.” Under no circumstance will GMIS accept grade reports that can be directly printed from an applicant’s university account, as these grades are prone to easily being altered. A generic grade report or a printout from an online course schedule is NOT an Official Transcript.
- CUMULATIVE GPA – The cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted, must appear on the transcript, otherwise the transcript will be considered invalid. If you attended school in another country, the transcript must be converted into a 4.0 scale and into English. GMiS does not calculate GPA’s, If not GPA appears on the transcript, your institution must present an official GPA either by a letter or email from your advisor.
- FOREIGN TRANSCRIPTS – We will not accept transcripts in any language except English AND transcripts MUST have the GPA on the U.S. 4.0 GPA scale. NO EXCEPTIONS. Photos of Transcripts (i.e. jpg, gif or png) – are not acceptable. Transcripts must be scanned and all the transcript pages must be combined into a legible pdf.
One-page limit
In 750 – 850 words, please answer the following three-part question as a single essay. Please be sure to address all three elements as a single essay, and not three separate parts. It must be an essay; otherwise your application will not be considered. Provide specific examples as needed.
1) As a future STEM professional, how have your life experiences (cultural, family, school, volunteerism, etc.) helped you to develop the skills, competencies and qualities that shape who you are today; and 2) how have you applied those skills, competencies and qualities to serving the Hispanic or other underserved communities; and 3) how have your life experiences defined your STEM career aspirations?
Undergraduate and graduate students only – If you have an interest in working in the energy, petroleum, gas or oil industry and would like to also be considered for a $5,000 Chevron Scholarship, please download, complete and upload the questionnaire as part of your application. Click here to download
One letter from an advisor, dean, principal, faculty or instructor – i.e. someone who can speak on behalf of your academics. The letter must be written on official letterhead and include the recommender’s signature.
NOTE: Faculty letters will no longer be accepted by email. All letters must be uploaded by the recommender onto the GMiS Scholarship Portal via the private link they will be provided. Applicants WILL NOT have access to these letters.
One letter from a friend, classmate, lab partner, teammate, member of a student/youth organization. The letter may not be from a mentor, coach, or supervisor, unless that individual is within your same age group.
The photo will not be used in the scholarship selection, but rather used for publications of scholarship recipients, in print and online.
- The photo must be professional in style and content.
- The photo must be of high quality – i.e. 300 dpi. In other words, no cell phone photos. The photo must be taken with a digital camera or scanned at a high resolution. An indicator of a high quality photo is a photo over 1 MB.
- The photo should be a head-shot. There is no need for a full-body photo.
- The photo should not be a party-shot, i.e. taken at a party. No party or scantily-clad photos.
- The photo should not a Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or other social media photo. No Selfie.
- The photo should not be a glamour shot.
- The photo should not be Black and White or Sepia. Photos must be in full color.
In no more than 250 words, briefly describe your background, educational aspirations and your career goals.