WALSAA Senior Impact Award Logo
  • WALSAA Senior Impact Award
    Up to 5 - $1,000
    (for students of senior standing with graduation during the 2025 calendar year)

    The Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association (WALSAA) is recognizing graduating seniors who have demonstrated an excellence in leadership skills, student activity participation, engagement in CALS programs and providing service to the University and the larger community. These students are awarded a financial gift to apply towards tuition and fees. If that financial award results in a credit to the students account, a refund is issued. The Award winners will be recognized at a WALSAA Award Ceremony on April 4, 2025.

    The award is open to students who are graduating in 2025. To apply, complete and submit the application. The application receipt deadline is Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Late applications will NOT be considered. Applicants must be available for virtual interviews Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
     
    Want to learn more about building a resume and interviewing? CLICK HERE

    In addition to completing the application

    1. Students must submit a professional resume

    2. Provide two (2) letters of recommendation (at least one from a faculty or academic staff member who is familiar with the applicant’s activities and achievements). This could include instructors, advisors or department staff. Send letters of recommendation to admin@walsaa.org. 

    3. Answer an essay question (at the end of the application). The essay response should be 600 words or fewer. See below for essay question.

    4. Provide a “Personal Statement” (at the end of the application) which describes your next steps and how those will impact your future professional academic/career aspirations. Your personal statement should be 600 words or fewer.

    ESSAY Question:
    What aspects of your journey in the CALS program have contributed uniquely to your personal and professional growth? Additionally, please provide five impactful statements to share with students who are still undecided on their field of study but are considering the CALS program.

    PERSONAL Statement:
    Looking beyond graduation and possibly graduate school, how do you envision contributing to society as a leader in your field? What lasting impact do you hope to make through your career, and how will you uphold and reflect the University of Wisconsin's commitment to service, innovation, and community in your life's work?
     
    If outside sources are used in your essays, you must site your references.

    Please direct all application questions to David Cooper, WALSAA Scholarship Committee Chair, 608-516-1184 or dbcooper2727@gmail.com.
     
  • Demographic Information:
  • Academic Information:

  • Your resume notes several leadership, service, honors and work experience opportunities you have participated in. Please include additional notations in these areas during college that were not previously shared or you would like to expand upon. Notations are limited to ten (10) and should follow these guidelines.

    1. Please INCLUDE ONLY activities/experiences/awards you have pursued/completed during your time at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

    2. You MUST INCLUDE length of participation. The preferred method is to indicate the month and year you started participating and the month and year you stopped participating in an activity. For example, March 2022 - December 2024 or March 2022 - Present. Also include the number of hours spent per month.

    Include a brief description (up to 100 words) for each of the noted opportunities (up to 10).

  • In the space provided below, please include your response to the following essay question and include a personal statement (in 600 words or fewer for each). If outside sources are used in your essays, you must site your references.
     
    Essay Question: What aspects of your journey in the CALS program have contributed uniquely to your personal and professional growth? Additionally, please provide five impactful statements to share with students who are still undecided on their field of study but are considering the CALS program.
     
  • Personal Statement: Looking beyond graduation and possibly graduate school, how do you envision contributing to society as a leader in your field? What lasting impact do you hope to make through your career, and how will you uphold and reflect the University of Wisconsin's commitment to service, innovation, and community in your life's work?
     
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation should be emailed to admin@walsaa.org by the letter writer (recommender). Please indicate below who the lettters of recommendation will be arriving from including name, email address, phone number and association to you (teacher, advisor, supervisor, etc.) 
     
  • Additional Materials: Please use this section to upload your RESUME. The resume AND two letters of recommendation ARE required. Please direct all application questions to David Cooper, WALSAA Scholarship Committee Chair, 608-516-1184 or dbcooper2727@gmail.com.
     
    Want to learn more about building a resume and interviewing? CLICK HERE
     
    What is WALSAA?
    WALSAA (Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association) established in 1972 is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the connection of students, faculty and alumni to the University of Wisconsin's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (known to many of us as CALS).

    Why is WALSAA relevant?
    For students, we offer a FREE student membership, provide scholarships and awards, grants for student organizations, as well as access to the WALSAA Speaker's Bureau as a resource for resumes and interviews, along with offering helpful tips for internships and careers.

    For alumni, we are the CALS Connection for Life, a way to stay CONNECTED, an opportunity to NETWORK, and an avenue to GIVE BACK.
     
    WALSAA supports a number of Scholarship, Grant and Award initiatives. The Outstanding Advisor award established in 1997, the CALS QuickStart program where you can gain an early start on your Wisconsin Experience. WALSAA supports the CALS Ambassadors Program and Student Organization Impact Grants where over $50,000 has been provided in the past five years. Additionally, the Outstanding Sophomore and Senior Impact Awards, recognizing excellence in academics, community service and leadership.
     
     
     
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  • Please contact David Cooper, WALSAA Scholarship Committee Chair at 608-516-1184 or dbcooper2727@gmail.com with any questions.
     
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