Cook Achievement Fund Guidelines and Expectations
As conceived by students, faculty, staff, and alumni, the Cook Achievement Fund is a scholarship pool that supports activities that enhance a student's résumé and learning experience. Financial support for the Cook Achievement Fund originates with Robert Cook and recent honors college alumni and private donors.
Achievement Fund activities are learning experiences that exceed standard curricular requirements and engage the student as a professional in his or her field. Examples include internships, conference presentations, scholarly publications, undergraduate research, study abroad, etc.
Achievement Application Components:
Use the guidelines below to help you to complete your application. If you have any questions, ask the Honors College staff.
1. Achievement Fund Cover Sheet
This cover sheet must be completed and submitted with your Cook Achievement Fund proposal.
2. Signature Page
This is a statement you sign that explains how the fund is supported by Robert Cook and alumni and encourages the continuation of alumni support in the future.
3. Personal Statement
This is an essay that puts forth a narrative explanation of who you are as a person, what motivating factors drive you, how you come to be who you are, where you are going, what is important to you, what thinkers you admire, what philosophy informs your life, and how your goals, dreams, and career objectives emerge from them. Keep these things in mind as you draft your narrative:
- Since it's your story, use “I” to start your sentences.
- Include vivid imagery and lots of sensory details.
- Weave your emotions into your narrative.
- Find perfect words and expressions.
- Find the perfect opening sentence.
- Read it aloud many times. Hear what you are saying and revise where wordy, stilted, redundant, or impersonal.
Some background resources on writing a personal statement:
4. Proposal
Use the examples that follow to write a proposal, including:
- A detailed description of the achievement experience
- Justification for this specific experience at this point in time relative to your academic, professional, and personal goals
- A breakdown of costs in table form with an explanation of your need in relation to these costs
- The status of arrangements, including application status, pending inquiries, preliminary arrangements, participation deadlines, funding dates, etc.
Sample Achievement Application
This application is from a first-year student who had not yet declared a major at the time of submission. It is not perfect. But all the elements are there, and they work together to create an overall strong application.