Montana Presidential Leadership Scholarships

The Davidson Honors College welcomes talented, motivated, and curious students to our vibrant community each year. This application is designed to help us get to know you. While we look at academic performance and achievements, these criteria are not absolute and all highly motivated students are encouraged to apply.

Applications are especially welcome from non-traditional students, international students, veterans, and students from all racial and ethnic backgrounds. College transfer students and currently enrolled students at the University of Montana with a record of strong academic performance are likewise welcome to apply.

Applications received by 11:59 PM (MST) on December 1st will be considered for honors scholarships. Feel free to contact the DHC if you have questions about your application, honors at UM, or would like to schedule a visit to our beautiful Missoula campus. Thank you for your interest. Good luck and Go Griz!

APPLICATION MATERIALS

REQUIRED

• Basic biographical information
• Information about your academic background and achievements
• Transcript: We do not have access to your official transcript sent to UM Admissions. For this review process, please upload an unofficial transcript along with your other application materials.
• 5 short answer questions
• A brief essay of 500 words on one of four topics

Short Answer Questions:

1. Introduce yourself (in the third person) to UM’s Davidson Honors College (50 words).
2. List up to three of your most significant academic experiences.
3. List up to three of your most significant leadership or service experiences.
4. List up to three cultural or personal development experiences.
5. Describe one of the experiences above in greater detail and how it shapes your academic and professional goals (250 words).
6. The DHC is a dynamic, supportive community of scholars. How might you contribute to it? What unique talents, perspectives, identities, or experiences will you bring to the DHC? (250 words)
7. Improbable (definition: unexpected). Fact (definition: things that are known or proven to be true). List and briefly discuss three improbable facts about you. (100 words total).

Essay Prompts (respond to one) (500 words):

(Please select one and paste it at the top of your essay.)

1. What is your most powerful learning experience to date? This could be a course, an accomplishment, a relationship, or an event that sparked significant personal growth and/or a new understanding of yourself, others, and/or the world. What did you learn? How has this prepared you for success as an honors student at UM and beyond?
2. The DHC’s mission includes the statement “[we are] dedicated to strengthening our positive impacts on the world.” Discuss an issue or question that you are curious or passionate about and want to impact. Why is this important for you? For our world? How do you hope the DHC prepares you to make this impact?
3. The University of Montana’s mascot is the grizzly bear. Words used to describe Grizzlies include: respectful, responsible, playful, formidable, curious, wise, creative, strategic, active, and easygoing (also hungry). Which of these traits best describes you and why? How do you imagine this or these characteristics might shape your life in college and beyond?
4. Seuss famously wrote: “The more you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Why do you want to go to college? What do you hope to read, to know, to learn, and where would you like to go? Why is the University of Montana and Davidson Honors College the right place for you to study?