How do you know if you should apply for a prestigious award? Eligibility criteria varies by award, but competitive candidates demonstrate many of the following qualifications:

• Academic achievement and GPA of at least 3.5
• Research or internship experience in field of study
• Extra-curricular involvement and commitment to something beyond themselves
• Maturity, confidence, initiative, and follow-through
• Intellectual well-roundedness
• Defined goals and organized plan to achieve them