The University of New Hampshire’s Early Action application deadline is this November 15th. Applying Early Action doesn’t just allow you to receive your admission decision sooner: it’s recommended for students interested in some of UNH’s most prestigious scholarships.
What’s it like being a student in one of these scholarship programs? I had a chance to speak with one of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS) Industry Scholars, Kelsea Carmichael, one of the Rutman Leadership Fellows, Tia DiMicelli, and one of the Hamel Scholars, Jackie Desrosiers, about their experiences in their respective programs. Read on for insight and inspiration.
CEPS Industry Scholarship
Kelsea Carmichael is an ocean engineering major. She chose UNH because of its exceptional facilities for her major. “What really got me to come here was an awesome lab and so many excited professors,” she states.
The CEPS Industry Scholarship is open to applicants by invitation after receiving an acceptance to a CEPS major. Carmichael is grateful for the opportunity. “I thought I was done and then my mom was like, ‘you should apply for this scholarship,’” she jokes.
To keep her scholarship, she must maintain above a 3.0 GPA and stay in CEPS. Priority consideration is given to early action applicants.
Learn more about scholarship opportunities in CEPS
Rutman Leadership Fellows
Tia DiMicelli is a first-year undeclared student in Paul College, UNH’s business school. She is also a Rutman Leadership Fellow. This initiative helps women in business create valuable bonds during their four years at UNH and and develop leadership skills.
“We meet once a week, every Tuesday,” says DiMicelli. “We have a book that we’ve been reading and it’s kind of like a book club.” In addition to weekly meetings, the group does outdoor teambuilding activities, listens to speakers, and helps one another with schoolwork. The Rutman Fellows also have peer mentors.
“As a first-year student in the program, you move in early and spend the first few days doing stuff specifically with the Rutman Fellows,” says DiMicelli. “You can get a feel for the community you’re joining.”
DiMecilli says that the Rutman Fellows have a strong community. “It’s like having a built-in support group coming into things.”
Learn more about the Rutman Leadership Fellows
Hamel Scholars
Jackie Desrosiers is a junior chemical engineering major from Nashua, New Hampshire. In 2019, she came to UNH as a Hamel Scholar.
“Hamel Scholars are about community service and leadership.” she states. Each recipient of a Hamel Scholarship joins a task force each semester, to collaborate with other students to address a problem in the community. Desrosiers is a member of the STEM outreach task force. “It’s an amazing opportunity. They’re paying for you to develop your skills in leadership. In my task force I am the only junior, and I’ve taken a big leadership position on that.”
Task force missions range from animal welfare to financial literacy to mental health awareness. Each group is student-designed and led. This approach gives each scholar real-world experience leading community and state efforts to make real changes.
Desrosiers knows how valuable this chance is. “It’s such a good opportunity to network, to learn about leadership, to lead, and to serve the community. It’s just awesome.”
Students who apply to UNH by the Early Action deadline and who qualify for the University Honors Program are invited to apply for the Hamel Scholars Program.
