The Judging Criteria
Academic Excellence
To qualify for a John Curtin Undergraduate Scholarship, school Principals must certify the applicant is expected to graduate within the top five per cent of their school year. Mature age students must be nominated by a professional educator familiar with their high academic potential.
As future leaders and community members, John Curtin Undergraduate Scholars have a responsibility to be informed members of society. By increasing knowledge, a person's ability to contribute to the community is also increased.
A successful academic career is a source of positive personal development, and affirms a student's self-discipline applicable through other areas of their life. A scholar's devotion to study is as important as their devotion to other commitments.
Each John Curtin Undergraduate Scholar must continue to make satisfactory progress while studying at Curtin. To help them with this task, each scholar is provided with a mentor from their school of study. The student and their mentor meet regularly through the year, so the mentor can monitor and assist the scholar.
Leadership
In the context of the John Curtin Undergraduate Scholarships, leadership is seen as the ability to inspire others. Curtin is looking for students who inspire others to arrive at new understandings of themselves and their world.
Examples of leadership in past applicants include involvement in youth advisory councils and youth groups, coaching roles, school council involvement, as sports captains, theatre and music leaders, involvement in peer support programs, fundraising and community volunteer coordinator roles.
Scholarship recipients go on to further develop their leadership skills through Curtin activities and personally driven community projects. Scholars have been responsible for many leadership roles including the organisation of major environmental projects for the annual John Curtin Day community projects, committee positions for Curtin Volunteers! (Curtin's volunteer organisation) and major fundraising for Telethon.
Community Service
Community service is a large part of the John Curtin Undergraduate Scholarship. As future community leaders, John Curtin Undergraduate Scholars are required to devote time and energy to the community around them.
Applicants need to be involved in their community: as school councillors or student mentors; as members of fundraising or other charitable groups; as supporters of community causes; as volunteers for school or community groups; or any similar community involvement to which students might lend their talents and energies.
Scholars are required to continue this community service after receiving the scholarship. They participate in group activities such as visiting and helping at a remote Aboriginal community at Laverton, demonstrating their leadership qualities in the annual John Curtin Day community activities and many on-campus charity fundraising ventures.
Individually, the scholars have assisted a vast range of organisations including the Red Cross, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Princess Margaret Hospital and Scitech. By participating in these activities, the scholars take on the responsibilities that their social awareness encourages.