Details about the application process are below:
To apply, you will need to:
1) Fill out the electronic application form. The online application form is available at the link above.
2) Provide your college and high school transcripts. High school transcripts are optional but encouraged. Unofficial copies are fine, and they are much easier for you to obtain. Transcripts should be uploaded through the website. See the link to Transcripts above (https://ddcsp-collaborative.org/submit-transcripts) for instructions on uploading them.
3) You will need to ask two people to supply letters of recommendation, although applicants with only one recommendation letter will not be penalized. Letters should be uploaded through the website. Please refer them to the link for “Letters of Recommendation” above (https://ddcsp-collaborative.org/recommendations)
Letters are due by the application deadline. It is your responsibility to ensure that your letters of recommendation are received by Program staff, so if you have questions about whether a letter has been received, send an email to director@ddcsp-collaborative.org and we will check for you.
Online Application Format
The online application form has five sections:
1) In the first section, you will provide basic information about yourself and your academic and work history.
2) In the second section, you will complete a series of essay questions that will help us get to know you better.
3) In the third section, we ask you to commit to the conditions of the award, should you be selected.
4) The fourth section is optional and asks for some information on your background that is for statistical purposes only. Your responses are entirely voluntary and this information will be separated from your application and will not be used to evaluate your application.
5) The fifth section is where you officially submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed if it has not been officially submitted.
You may close your application and return to it while it is in progress. However, be sure to bookmark your application or copy the link. At the end of the application, you will be asked to officially submit your completed application. The application is considered to have been submitted for evaluation at that point. Once it has been submitted, you will no longer have access to your application.
If you are having trouble with any of the questions or application itself you can email or call the Program Director, Dr. Rena Borkhataria using director@ddcsp-collaborative.org or 561-876-1527. If you are trying to skip a required question, simply write "NA" so that you can move through the form. Just remember to come back and replace those "NAs" with your real answers as necessary.
An interest in exploring opportunities to study and pursue careers in conservation fields;
An interest in engagement in rigorous research experiences in conservation science;
Likelihood to succeed in science fields, whether or not presently majoring or minoring in a science or mathematics discipline. Factors taken into account include high school and college GPA and curriculum as well as other indicators of accomplishment and capability.
Demonstrated community service orientation and personal qualities to succeed in conservation fields (including perseverance and resilience, ability to scale barriers, communication skills and other characteristics);
Are the first in their family to attend college (socio-economic factors and first-generation status are not requirements for selection to the program, but they increase chances of selection); and
Regardless of each applicant’s own race or ethnicity, demonstrated commitment to creating a more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive society.
Each applicant will be assessed under the same criteria, holistically as an individual and as a member of the DDCF Conservation Scholars group, to assemble a Scholars group that will both benefit greatly from, and make substantial contributions to, the program. Qualified sophomores will be given preference in the selection process but highly qualified freshmen and students with only 3 semesters remaining will also be considered and students can apply to the program in multiple years as long as they remain eligible.