NISO Week 2015
October 9, 2015
Several weeks ago, you may have taken note that NISO Week was taking place. NISO, which stands for the National and International Scholarships Office, exists to assist students in applying for prestigious national and international scholarships and awards that require a nomination from the university. NISO Week was a way for students to attend specific information sessions on different scholarships and learn more about the eligibility and application process for each.
Left: Dr. Rosanne Altstatt Dean's Fellow for NISO and Astronaut Scholar Emily Erickson speak at the Purdue Honors College 2015 welcome event
Ryan Schroeder, a junior studying natural resources and environmental sciences shares a little about his experience at NISO Week. "I attended NISO Week and had good experiences hearing about some of the different scholarship opportunities that are present through the NISO office and some tips/timelines for how best to approach some of the scholarships."
However, with the end of NISO Week does not come the end of communication with NISO faculty and staff. When asked about NISO staff, Ryan commented that they were, "very approachable and knowledgeable about the scholarships I was interested in, and they answered any questions that I had." Ryan meets with staff members frequently and has, with their help, applied for both the Goldwater and Udall scholarships.
Another student who has worked with NISO very closely is Cole Manschot (learn more about Cole in his very own student spotlight). Cole is both a Marshall and Rhodes scholarship nominee for Purdue. When asked about his experiences with NISO, he shared,
I would be completely humbled and honored just to get asked back for an interview for one of these scholarships, but I think one of the greatest takeaways is what you gain by going through the process of applying. By choosing a program and subject to study you are forced to figure out what you want to do and really get down to the root of why you want to pursue that. It aids you in discovering where you want to go and who you want to be.
When asked if he had any advice for someone interested in NISO, Cole said,
Don’t hesitate to look into it. There are so many different programs out there. They may initially seem as if they target certain types of majors, but, in reality, these scholarships are so diverse. There are so many different scholarships to apply for and pursue, and they all come with a phenomenal experience and great opportunity. And even if you don’t get the scholarship, it is such a fulfilling experience to go through that soul-searching process and truly discover yourself. Don’t hesitate to ask about it, talk about it, and think about applying for it.
The NISO office is located in Duhme Hall alongside the Honors College offices. You can also visit their website at www.purdue.edu/niso.
