Two Computer Science and Engineering students, senior Beth Neilsen and graduate student Amanda Swearngin, were finalists for the prestigious Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship last spring. They received a financial award of $1,000, as well as an invitation to attend the Annual Google Scholars' Retreat in Mountain View, CA.
Neilsen and Swearngin attended the Google Scholars’ Retreat at the end of July. “There were more than one hundred individuals at the Google Retreat,” said Neilsen. “These individuals were finalists and scholars for one of five scholarships, including Anita Borg Scholars, Google United Negro College Fund Scholars, Google Hispanic College Fund Scholars, Google American Indian Science and Engineering Society Scholars, and the Google Lime Scholars.”
The students engaged in various activities throughout the week, such as workshops, brainstorming sessions, and guest speakers. “We got to listen to the creator of the Java computing language and the Python computing language, as well as one of the Vice Presidents of Google. It was really cool,” said Swearngin. The scholars also had the opportunity to tour the Googleplex and explore the San Francisco area.
Both Neilsen and Swearngin agreed that the opportunity to attend the retreat was invaluable. “Through the application process and retreat, I was able to meet so many amazing, smart, creative individuals that encouraged me and motivated me to find a way to make a difference in the world.” Neilsen stated. “I learned the only real constraint you have with technology is yourself and your ability to think creatively about problems. Each and every day people are finding and designing new ways to approach and solve those problems.” Swearngin encouraged others to apply for the scholarship, saying, “If you’re a woman in computer science, you should really give it a shot. It’s so rewarding to go out there and gain that experience.”
The scholarship application process consists of the submission of an online application and resume, two letters of recommendation, and three essays. “One essay was about leadership experience, the second was about a technical project that we’ve worked on, and the third covered how would you help to increase the number of women who are involved in computer science,” said Swearngin. “It was a lot of work, but definitely worth it.”
Google awards this scholarship to exceptional female computer science and engineering students in honor of Dr. Anita Borg, who founded the Institute for Women and Technology in 1997. Dr. Borg was a visionary who aimed to inspire women and minorities to enter the fields of computing and technology.
Female computer science and engineering students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Applicants must be a full-time student at a university in the United States entering their senior year or a graduate program. The application deadline has not yet been posted for the 2012-2013 scholarships, but more information about the process can be found at http://google.com/anitaborg/us/. Other scholarships are available for underrepresented groups in computer science and engineering and can be found at http://www.google.com/intl/en/jobs/students/proscho/scholarships/uscanada/.