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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Scholarship
Program for 2004-2005 School Year
www.microsoft.com/college/scholarships
Program Overview
Microsoft is committed to building
great software and services. To do that, we need a wide range of great
perspectives. Our scholarships are designed to encourage students to
pursue studies in computer science and related technical disciplines.
Microsoft is excited
to be offering full tuition scholarships totaling over a half million
dollars for the 2004-2005 academic year. Applications must be postmarked
by January 15, 2004.
At Microsoft, we want to
encourage students from groups currently under-represented in the field of
computer science to pursue technical degrees. While all candidates who
meet the criteria for eligibility described below may apply, a large
majority of our scholarships will be awarded to female students,
under-represented minority students or students with disabilities.
Minority applicants must be a member of one of the following groups
under-represented in the software field: African American, Hispanic or
Native American.
Microsoft will review all
applications and select recipients on the basis of eligibility, quality of
application, interest in the software industry and financial need.
Finalists will be contacted by March 1, 2003. Scholarship recipients will
be notified by March 21, 2003.
What are the provisions of the
award?
Scholarships are awarded to recipients
for one academic year. The scholarship will cover 100 percent of the
tuition for the 2003-2004 academic year as posted by the financial aid
office of the university or college. The scholarships are made through the
designated school and are not transferable to other academic institutions.
The funds are to be used for tuition only and may not be used for other
costs on the recipient's bursar bill.
All recipients of the scholarship will be required to complete a salaried
summer internship of 12 weeks or more at Microsoft Corporation in Redmond,
Washington. (Microsoft reserves the right not to offer a position to the
scholarship winner if an appropriate match cannot be found.)
What are the criteria for
scholarship eligibility?
Students must be enrolled full-time and
making satisfactory progress toward an undergraduate degree in computer
science, computer engineering, or a related technical discipline, such as
math or physics, with a demonstrated interest in computer science. Because
the scholarship is merit based, the student must maintain a 3.0 cumulative
grade point average out of a possible 4.0, or a 4.0 cumulative grade point
average out of a possible 5.0.
What is required to apply?
A complete application
includes four items: your résumé, transcript, essay questions and letter
of referral. There is not a separate application form to submit in
addition to the above materials.
Résumé.
Enclose a copy of your résumé that includes your e-mail address, campus
address and phone number, student ID number, permanent address and phone
number, major and expected graduation date.
Transcript.
Enclose a copy of your current academic transcript.
Essay Questions.
Use one page to answer all four of the following essay questions (not one
page per question).
o
Describe how you
demonstrate your passion for technology outside the classroom.
o
Describe the
toughest technical problem you've worked on, how you addressed the
problem, your role in reaching the outcome, if it was team-based, and the
final outcome.
o
Describe a
situation which demonstrates initiative and your willingness to go above
and beyond.
o
Describe how you
are currently funding your college education.
Letter of referral.
Enclose a letter of referral from a faculty member or an academic
advisor who knows your work.
Gender/Ethnicity/Disability
(optional). Please
note your gender , ethnicity or disability on the page with your essay
questions if you would like that information to be considered with your
application.
Please send your
completed application to:
Microsoft Scholarship Program
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-8303
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