Registration
Meet with Office of National Scholarship Advisement Director, Dr. Madalina Akli, to discuss if are an eligible candidate for the Udall Scholarship. If you are eligible, Dr. Akli will register you on the Udall website. You will receive notification from Udall that you have been registered, along with application login information.
Udall Application
Work on your Udall application online and receive feedback from Dr. Akli, who has access to your account.
Complete Section A, Section C, and Section D, questions 1 through 3. Section D, questions 1 through 3, ask for activities of various sorts. Place each activity in the category you think best fits — there’s no penalty for a “wrong” categorization. Do not duplicate.
Unlike most other scholarship applications, the Udall application consists of short answer questions and an essay rather than a personal statement. It is important to envision these short answer questions as a coherent whole, as if they were a single essay, in order to best present your qualifications.
Begin drafting the essay, an analysis of a significant speech, legislative act, book, or public policy statement by Morris or Stewart Udall and its influence on you.
The Udall Foundation provides the following tips from previous judges:
What Works —
- Critical analysis (nominee really thought about Udall's message, applied it to contemporary or current situations)
- Fresh perspective on a familiar topic
- Chosen topic appropriate to and well integrated with nominee's goals and interests
- Different, unique approach
- Well written, excellent grammar
What Doesn't —
- Glorified "personal statement"
- Didn't take the time to analyze the topic
- Didn't get deeper than "Udall said this...and then he said this...and I think this is good."
- Doesn't connect to a career goal
- Poorly written, poor grammar
Before the application deadline, seek feedback on your application from Dr. Akli, your disciplinary advisor, a faculty member in an appropriate department, and writing center.
Recommendations
In consultation with Dr. Akli, determine your three letter of recommendation writers. Contact these recommenders to confirm they are willing to write letters.
If you are applying in the tribal public policy or Native health care category, you should obtain a letter from a tribal leader or professional who can attest to your involvement with your tribe or Native American organizations, in addition to letters from professors who can attest to your academic performance and professional potential.
From your Udall account, download the letter of recommendation request forms provided within your Udall application and deliver the appropriate sheet to each recommender. The forms are pre-printed with your name and Udall ID number, along with Dr. Akli’s contact information. These forms are for the recommenders’ information; they do not need to be returned with the letters.
Outside Transcripts
If you have attended another college or university to take courses for credit (not including UMass Amherst sponsored study abroad), order an official electronic or hard copy of your transcript from that school. We require a transcript from other schools only IF the course names and grades are NOT listed individually on your UMass Amherst transcript. Order a hard copy to be delivered by February 8 to: Dr. Madalina Akli, 313 Commonwealth Honors College, UMass Amherst, 157 Commonwealth Avenue, Amherst, MA, 01003.
Application deadline: Submit the final version of your application in our Udall account, on the official website, by 4:00 p.m., March 2.
Tribal Enrollment Documentation
If you are a Native American student applying in tribal policy or Native health care, you must submit copies of relevant enrollment forms, cards, and/or descent documentation such as a Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood. Descendants of enrolled tribal members must provide proof of their parent's or grandparent's enrollment and birth certificates that demonstrate the applicant's relationship to the enrolled tribal member. Applicants who are members of the First Nations of Canada must submit proof of U.S. permanent residency. If you are not currently on your tribal roll, and do not have a CDIB, you may provide proof of a parent or grandparent's enrollment and copies of birth certificates demonstrating your relationship. You should also obtain a letter from a tribal leader indicating your involvement in your tribal community The Udall Foundation will review the letter to determine if it provides sufficient proof of eligibility to meet their criteria.
