Campus Life

Students can sharpen career goals through the University Fellowships Office

The UFO will be hosting events throughout the fall semester to further engage students

Credit: Steve Tressler / Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The University Fellowships Office advocates for the academic, intellectual and personal interests of students by promoting relevant fellowship opportunities. The office will be hosting events throughout the fall semester for interested students. Monthly “Fellowship 101” sessions, writing workshops, special information sessions, and theme weeks will further engage students in opportunities beyond the classroom.

Through the UFO, students can be matched with fellowship opportunities based on their academic and career interests. The office also supports qualified students during the competitive application process by providing feedback on written materials. Students interested in walk-in advising can drop by 321 Boucke between 3 and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

"The fellowship application process was excellent preparation for graduate school applications, and being a Goldwater and Astronaut Scholar was undoubtedly a huge factor in my successful graduate school admissions so far," said Sylvia Bicoveanu, who was a Schreyer Honors College Scholar and physics major. 

Udall scholarship recipient Adam Uliana, a chemical engineering major who was also a Schreyer Scholar, considers his semester spent in Belgium through the EuroScholars Research Program one of the best decisions he made while at Penn State. Uliana stated that the UFO, “completely enhanced my undergraduate experience.” More student stories are available online.

Fall 2017 upcoming events:

  • Sept. 5: Fellowship 101 session
  • Sept. 19: National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship information sessions, co-sponsored by the College of Engineering
  • Sept. 21: Fellowship 101 session
  • Oct. 2-6: Grad School + STEM Week, co-sponsored by the Career Services Center
  • Oct. 5: Writing workshop supporting NSF Graduate Research Fellowship applicants, co-sponsored by the College of Engineering.
  • Oct. 22-27: Global Languages & International Education Week
  • Oct. 30-Nov. 3: International Relations & Public Policy Week

Theme weeks will consist of various events promoting opportunities for students interested in careers in the specified field.

For the times and locations of these events, visit UFO’s web calendar.

In July 2017, UFO launched a new website that aims to increase visibility and guide all University community members throughout the fellowship journey. The new site includes information on more than 70 fellowships and scholarships, additional application guidelines and resources, a full calendar of events, and more. For additional information, visit ufo.psu.edu or stop by 321 Boucke Building between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Stay up to date with UFO by subscribing to their monthly emails via their website or by following them on Twitter and Instagram. There is also the option to network with current and previous fellowship applicants and alumni through the University Fellowships Office at the Penn State LinkedIn page.

The University Fellowships Office is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education, the academic administrative unit that provides leadership and coordination for University-wide programs and initiatives in support of undergraduate teaching and learning at Penn State. Learn more about Undergraduate Education at undergrad.psu.edu.

Last Updated September 1, 2017