GMiS Scholarship Application
In light of the pandemic impact of COVID-19 on U.S. schools, colleges and universities, the 2020 GMIS STEM Scholarship Deadline has been extended to 11:59 PM PST on MAY 1, 2020.

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.


OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
  • GMiS is no longer accepting emailed transcripts.  Transcripts must be uploaded as part of your online application.  The only exception is transcripts received from a clearinghouse.
  • Transcripts must contain the seal of your high school/college/university and/or the signature of the Registrar.
  • Transcripts must contain the words "Official Transcript." If the words Unofficial Transcript appear on the transcript or the transcript appears unofficial, your application will be incomplete.
  • The cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted, must appear on the transcript, otherwise the transcript will be considered invalid. GMiS does not calculate GPA's, Your institution must present an official GPA.
  • Multi-page transcripts must be scanned and uploaded as one document.
  • A generic grade report or a printout from an online course schedule is NOT an Official Transcript.
  • We will NOT accept photos of transcripts (i.e. jpg, gif or png). Transcripts must be scanned and all the transcript pages must be combined into a legible pdf.
  • If your institution uses a clearinghouse to send transcripts, you must request that the transcript be emailed to you directly. Once you receive the transcript, you must print, scan and upload the transcript to your application.  Often times, transcripts from a clearinghouse have an embedded electronic expiration date and GMiS is unable to access if it is directly uploaded onto your application.  Therefore, the additional steps in downloading, printing, scanning and uploading are necessary.
  • Transcripts must be in English.
  • If you attended school in another country, the transcript must be converted into a 4.0 scale and into English. No Exceptions.
  • If you absolutely must mail your transcripts, they must be POSTMARKED by MAY 1, 2020, otherwise your entire application will be considered late and not reviewed.  So it is strongly suggested you submit your transcript electronically, either by uploading with your application or using your institution's transcript clearinghouse.  The mailing address is Great Minds in STEM, ATTN: Scholarships, 2465 W. Whittier Blvd, Suite 202, Montebello, CA, 90640..

RESUME

One-page limit.

PERSONAL STATEMENT 

In 700 – 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.

Personal Statement Question:  As a future STEM professional, 1) 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?

 CHEVRON SCHOLARSHIP

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.  Download the 2020 Chevron Questionnaire.

FACULTY LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

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.

PEER LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

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. 

PHOTO

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.


QUESTIONS?
Please contact scholars@greatmindsinstem.org. Remember, please read the FAQs as the answer to your questions may be found there. 

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DISCLAIMER: 

The information you submit electronically or otherwise, as part of the GMiS Scholarship Program - application, resume, transcript, essay, and letters of recommendation - will be made available for public review and evaluation by the GMiS Scholarship Committee, which consists of volunteers from across the STEM Enterprise including corporate America, K-20, and local, state and federal governments. If you have any privacy concerns - legal or otherwise - and information cannot be disclosed, you are advised not to apply for the scholarship. If you are under the age of 18, and you are a graduating high school senior or college student, you must also upload a letter of permission from your parent/guardian along with the application.

GMiS uses commercially reasonable physical, managerial, and technical safeguards to preserve the integrity and security of your personal information. We cannot, however, ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to GMiS and you do so at your own risk. Once we receive your transmission of information, GMiS makes commercially reasonable efforts to ensure the security of our systems. However, please note that this is not a guarantee that such information may not be accessed, disclosed, altered, or destroyed by breach of any of our physical, technical, or managerial safeguards.

If you have any concerns regarding this Disclaimer, please email scholars@greatmindsinstem.org.