• Undergraduates can and do win, which means earlier funding, greater agency when choosing graduate programs, and more time for research once you arrive.  If you don't apply, none of these things will happen.
• The application process kickstarts important conversations with mentors and advisors about graduate schools, post-graduate research plans, and recommendations,
• Even if you aren't awarded a fellowship the first time around, you will be ahead of the game when you apply in grad school.

IMPORTANT! Applying as an undergraduate does NOT "waste" or "use up" your opportunity to apply again once you have begun your graduate program. You are encouraged to apply as an undergraduate and then once more in either your first or second year of graduate study.

• Getting into these discussions earlier can really help you and your community of support manage energy and time better heading into the crunch of the fall semester and winter deadline season.
• Your undergraduate academic and research mentors typically have more time to observe your work style and strengths.  It can be more challenging when you have just a couple of months or just over a year to get to know your grad mentors.