Skip to main content
UMass Collegiate M The University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Give
  • Search UMass.edu
Commonwealth Honors College Commonwealth Honors College

Main navigation

  • Admissions
    Why Commonwealth Honors College?ScholarshipsVisitApplyOrientation
  • Academics
    AdvisingYear-by-Year GuidesStudent HandbookCoursesHonors ThesisOpportunities
    Student StoriesMassachusetts Undergraduate Research Conference Office of National Scholarship Advisement (ONSA)Departmental Honors RequirementsSee All Honors Courses
  • Experience
    Your LifeYour SpaceYour TeamDiversity, Equity, and InclusionEvents Hall
    Honors EventsFirst-Year HousingLouis and Hilda Greenbaum GalleryFive College Consortium
  • About
    DirectoryNewsEventsContact
    Student Life BlogsOur HistoryGive

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Scholarships
  3. Office of National Scholarship Advisement (ONSA)

Scholarship Self-Assessment

Begin by going to the website of the scholarships(s) that most interest you. Read the profiles of their recent winners, their requirements for eligibility, their criteria for candidates, and their instructions for applying. Then ask yourself these questions:

  1. Is my GPA within an acceptable range for the scholarship? (e.g. 3.90 for Goldwater, 3.75 for Marshall, 3.75 for Truman, as examples)
  2. Am I eligible in terms of my citizenship status?
  3. What would I do if I received the scholarship? Would this be desirable for my future career?
  4. Do I know at least 3 faculty or other professionals who could write me a letter of recommendation?
  5. How well does my academic profile fit that of the scholarship’s profile?
  6. Does the scholarship require leadership experience, and if so, do I have any?
  7. Does the scholarship require public service, and if so, do I have any?
  8. Does the scholarship require previous research experience (such as in a lab) and if so, do I have any?
  9. What is my writing like and how difficult or easy is it for me to produce personal statements?
  10. Have I received previous scholarships, awards, or prestigious opportunities?

Your answers should help you determine whether and which scholarship is right for you!

Local Navigation Links

Office of National Scholarship Advisement (ONSA)
About Us
Presidential and Alumni Scholarships
Scholarship Self-Assessment
Scholarship Awardees and Finalists
Virtual Drop-in Chat
Resources for Scholarship Applications
Instructions for Recommenders: U.K. & Ireland
FAQ

Site footer

Commonwealth Honors College
  • X
  • Find us on Facebook
  • Find us on YouTube
  • Find us on LinkedIn
  • Find us on Instagram
Address

157 Commonwealth Avenue
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA 01003
United States

Phone number
(413) 545-2483

info [at] honors.umass.edu

Admissions

  • Why Commonwealth Honors College?
  • Scholarships
  • Visit
  • Apply

Academics

  • Year-by-Year Guides
  • Courses
  • Honors Thesis
  • Advising
  • Opportunities

About

  • Our History
  • News
  • Events
  • Give

Info for...

  • Faculty
  • Alumni
  • Parents

Global footer

  • ©2025 University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Site policies
  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination notice
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of use