Home » Math & CSIS
STEM-Scholars @ Northwest - an Innovative Program to Study Computing & Change the World
The Executive Summary
Northwest Missouri State University is delighted to announce the creation of a new program to Study Computing and Change the World. Talented but financially disadvantaged students, including those from underrepresented groups such as women and minorities, are encouraged to apply for a 4-year scholarship that will help pay for their tuition and expenses. Read on for details...
Why Study Computing?
On any given day, you might talk to your friends on Facebook or tweet them on Twitter; do a search on Google; fire up an app on a smartphone, tablet, or even a computer :) There has been an ongoing revolution in technology, and the hardware, apps, websites and networks that are at the core of this revolution are a part of Computing.
As an end-user, you are already a part of this revolution, but by studying Computing you can do more, you can help shape the future.
Here are three simple questions that may help determine whether Computing is the right career choice for you:
- Do you want to make the world a better place? Computing forms the bedrock for many--and has had a huge impact on virtually every--field of human endeavor. The world runs on software, and we can teach you how to build that software (or make existing software better).
- Are you a team player? The idea of a Computer Scientist toiling alone in a lonely cubicle is, simply put, a myth. Software developers work in teams, in close collaboration with clients and other interested parties, to create solutions that can change the world.
- Do you want to be rich? Solving problems in an innovative fashion can be immensely enriching on a personal level, but in case you had a different interpretation of rich, you should know that Computing jobs can be highly lucrative, with starting salaries often in the $60 - $70K range. Even in these financially challenging times there are many, many jobs out there.
STEM-Scholars at Northwest: The Details
If you answered "yes" to the above 3 questions, but are pondering a critical fourth one -- how you are going to be able to afford college -- then we have a solution. Thanks to a significant grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), we are able to award up to 25, 4-year scholarships to talented, financially needy students, including women and minorities, interested in studying computing at Northwest. The exact amount of the scholarship will vary depending on financial need: we expect to give an average of $4,500 per year per participant.
Not only do we provide financial assistance, we have enhanced our already strong undergraduate program to provide the support that you need to succeed. A network of mentors -- faculty members, teaching assistants, and industry representatives -- will provide you and your fellow STEM-Scholars with tutoring in individual courses, and guidance to help you land the job of your dreams. We have programs to enable you to travel to and present at conferences; participate in internship programs; and take field trips to businesses that will want to hire you upon graduation.
Current scholars have the chance to bond as a group through our social activities and evening meetings. These meetings give the scholars opportunities to communicate with other computing students as well as faculty members and professional mentors in the computing field. Check out a quick slide show of some of the scholar's current activities!
Apply Now!
Applying is a painless 2-step process:
1. Apply to Northwest Missouri State University
Select Computer Science or Interactive Digital Media-Computer Science major
2. Fill out our online STEM-SCHOLAR scholarship application
Deadline: February 15, 2013, or until all scholarships have been awarded
For more information:
E-mail: Merry McDonald | Phone: 660.562.1600
