blaiser18

Has anyone here applied or is applying for the Stoke's Educational Scholarship? Does anyone know how much they look at the essay, or supplemental information? What does the typical candidate who at least gets accepted to get an interview usually look like (grades, SAT's, classes, etc.)?

Paway

uhm yea me, i applied for comp/electric engineering, I don't know what credentials they look for, do they judge essay more or grades more, im guessing its not grades because the minimum is a 3.0 i mean, alot of people have that opportunity then, i think they look at transcript and how many math courses you've taken and stuff

Paway

most likely your essay, they really want to know what sort of person you are and why you want to join, because anybody can have a 4.0 but not alot of people truly want the job for the purpose that it serves

linkvoid13

I applied. I'm going for comp. engineering.
What supplemental info have yall (I'm from Texas) supplied?
I sent my National Hispanic Scholar Finalist letter, an extra letter of recommendation, and a programming portfolio (on cd, dunno if it won't count as a "page" of info).

MetricMike

I applied for ComSci as a HS senior with a 3.5 GPA and an SAT score of 2040 (V740 M670 W600). I didn't submit any supplemental information, but I had 5 years of BoyScout-sponsored volunteer work, 2 years of fundraising volunteer work, and 1 year of work experience in real estate.

And I'm white. So as much I would like this scholarship, I'm really really nervous that I'm not going to get it.

From what I remember from last year's participants the NSA is notoriously hard to get into. Out of the 500-1500 students who apply, only about 15-25 make it in and even then you have to go through months of background checks, interviews, and acquire a security clearance. The best tip I received from a neighbor of mine who told me about the program was to keep calling NSA.

They should start sending stuff out mid-March / early-April so the second you hear of someone getting their letter, call them and ask what's your status. Then once you send in your package (assuming you got accepted as a semi-finalist), call again about a week later and then just keep calling. The NSA isn't in a shortage of applicants so if you don't take the initiative, it's unlikely that they'll look at you as closely.

I'm pretty sure they take a holistic approach to the application - that is they don't look at just one area. If you have a lower GPA/test scores but a substantial amount of work/volunteer experience, they should understand that your attentions were divided. So long as your GPA/test scores don't tank, you should be okay in that regard. Likewise, the essay gives them some insight into who you are, but the resume lets them know what you've done on your own.

This was really long-winded but hopefully it helped ease some fears. Good luck to everyone!

MetricMike

Hey guys!

I called the NSA Stokes office yesterday to inquire about how they notify us. The very nice lady who I spoke with said that each applicant will receive a notification, and those should all be sent out by the end of February. Given that they use the USPS, I would estimate that everyone should receive something within 2-5 days of when they send it. Good rule of thumb would be to call them by March 1st if you haven't received anything though.

You guys should talk more! I can't possibly believe that I am so thorough as to answer every question you have in two short posts. =)

Hope this helps, and good luck!

linkvoid13

I just got this email from the NSA:

"Good Day,

The Stokes Office is in receipt of your Stokes Application package.

After careful consideration,
you were selected to continue processing for
The Stokes Educational Scholarship Program.

Our Employment Process requires a
preliminary phone interview/screen.

If you are still interested in pursuing
an opportunity as a student in the
Stokes Educational Scholarship Program,
we need to set up a convenient time
for a preliminary phone interview/screen as soon as possible.
Normal business hours are between 7: 30am and 4 :00pm EST, M-F.
However, we can make arrangements for other days/times.
The phone interview/screen takes about 15-20 minutes.

Please e-mail to let me know the best day, time, & phone number to reach you.

If you are no longer interested, please let me know.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Anne Clark
NSA/Stokes Program Office"

I guess yall should look for this email and call them asap.
Good luck!

MetricMike

Hey... quick question.

Does your last name begin at the start of the alphabet? Like a C?

Cause that would make me feel a lot better. 'Cause I'm a W.

Also, there's another thread on here from previous years on what the phone interview is about. I'll look it up later once I'm out of school for the day. =)

OMG CONGRATS!

linkvoid13

My last name starts with O. I wouldn't be too worried, though. W is ways away from mine. I check my email all the time at school, so I found out as soon I they sent it.

Kmcdowell

Me too - I'm an M. Does anyone know how many people make it to this stage?

MetricMike

Just got off the phone with Anne...

They do not notify those who did not make the list. All the CompSci's have been notified, there was one group left that hasn't been sent out.

Good luck on making the final cut guys!
Oh... and I think I heard that about 15-20 people make the finals. There's about 75-100 semi-finalists from what I remember from last year.

NthPrimeNumber

Hi guys.
I was selected as well.
How many get to go to the NSA HQ in MD for the interview?
Like, how many people get cut-off by the phone interview?
Also did anyone get a physical mail <not just the email>?
It was interesting that it was thru FedEx and not USPS..
I noticed that on the Application Forms Checklist page, (pg 4)
It states, Form P3319, Certification of Selective Service Registration
Does this mean that I must apply for Selective Service?
Please help me out.
I really want to join NSA but my parents don't like the idea of me dying in battle.
Thanks guys,

TheNthPrimeNumber
----------------------------------
Have you ever heard a number speak?
What personification!

MetricMike

You must sign up for Selective Service. Its not a voluntary thing, and if you are caught not signing up you can go to jail. That's for all American citizens, not just governmental workers. If you don't like it, lobby Congress to change the laws. If you have a driver's license (or permit) you should be able to get the necessary form at your local DMV. If not, DMV might know where to point you.

As stated above, there's about 75-100 semi-finalists each year. There's about 1500 applicants. That's about 1400 people cut off.

NthPrimeNumber

Wait.. so the mail that was sent today is not about the semifinalist round?
But the mail said I was a semifinalist.
Also I have a phone interview very soon.
I meant to say when is the interview at NSA Headquarters (Fort Meade, MD)?
So all 75 semifinalists go there?
lol.. I totally forgot that Selective Service was required of all US Citizens by their 18th B-day
Thats okay.. I just forgot and thought it was optional.
Anyways if that's the case then im not worried at all
Thanks for the info though.
How many positions are availible for Computer Scientists?
Computer Engineers?
Thanks you guys!

MetricMike

The mail sent to you was a notification letting you know that you were a semifinalist. After the phone interview, you schedule your in-person interview with at the NSA HQ. Yes, all semifinalists go there. No one really knows how many exact positions there are - but about 15-20 finalists make it through the application process to land a job.