1. Gathering information about the program(s) in which you are interested in studying. This may include writing away for application materials (necessary for the Fulbright) as well as directly contacting individuals with whom you would like to work (especially crucial for students intending to enroll in research programs or graduate courses requiring the completion of a thesis or dissertation as well as for students planning to work in a research lab).
2. Writing a (draft) program proposal describing what you hope to study and/or research with the award. This statement should also provide some indication of the relevance of the program both for your own intellectual and professional development as well as for your academic discipline.
3. For the Fulbright: Directly applying to the institution and program with which you wish to be affiliated. Evidence of supervision, affiliation, or acceptance will be required of Fulbright applicants.
4. For the Gates Cambridge: Directly applying to Cambridge University.
         For undergraduate admission, a Cambridge application for "affiliated study" is due by 15 October. Once you are admitted to a college as an undergraduate, the college will send you a supplemental application form for the Gates scholarship.
         For graduate admission, a Cambridge application for graduate study and supplemental Gates application materials are due by 15 October.
5. Putting together a resume which includes a list of academic and nonacademic activities, scholarships, honors, awards, interests, and the like.
6. Obtaining official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended (including study abroad institutions).
7. Writing a (draft) personal statement talking about yourself and your intellectual development. This statement is often even more important than the program proposal essay. Typically it is limited to two pages of double spaced type. Be prepared--you will probably have to write and re-write until you get it "just right." This essay is hard to write. Start it today!
8. Contacting individuals for letters of recommendation. Depending on the scholarship(s) for which you are applying, you may need anywhere from 2 to 8 letters. Advice on selecting and approaching potential letter of recommendation writers is available on the Web. (If you are applying for a Marshall Scholarships and have been a student in the UK on a study abroad program, then you should seriously consider obtaining one of your letters of recommendation from your senior tutor or from a professor who is familiar with your work. Contact your British referee immediately (and often) to assure the letter's timely reception here in the States.)
9. Preparing for the inevitable selection interviews. This will entail keeping abreast of current events (both domestic and international) as well as contemporary or controversial issues both in your general field of study and in the public domain. Read respected newspapers like the New York Times, London Times, Guardian, Sunday Observer, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and Washington Post; news magazines like the Economist and US News and World Report; "scientific" magazines like Scientific American; and listen to such television or radio news reports as found on NPR/PBS (including the BBC), C-Span, and CNN (not Headline News).

• Write preliminary drafts of scholarship/fellowship applications for which you are eligible during your senior year
• Do an honors thesis or other major research or independent study project that will pull it all together and allow you to "get your hands dirty" doing intensive research of interest to you
• Grow seriously involved in your own or others' public service projects [hint: you may want to find/devise a project that is related to your academic/professional interests]
• Take mostly upper-division courses

• Even if you submitted a priority application in the spring, you will need to complete your applications at this time and receive official university endorsement

If You Engage in Study Abroad (a wonderful opportunity!)

• Don't fall victim to "out of sight, out of mind" syndrome; stay in touch with your professors and department
• Try to avoid taking Gen Ed courses, but use your time abroad wisely to develop your intellectual and/or career interests
• Get involved with your host community through organizations, internships, independent study/research, English language tutoring, and community service/ volunteer projects