Microsoft recognizes the value of a diverse workforce and is committed to hiring the best and brightest from all backgrounds. In our efforts to encourage people of color and women to pursue careers in Computer Science and other related technical fields, we will be offering two scholarship programs: the Microsoft National Minority Technical Scholarship and the Microsoft National Women's Technical Scholarship. We will offer five scholarships for each of these programs. Each of the ten students will receive $1,000 to be applied to their tuition for the 1998-99 academic year. Students from across the United States will be selected in recognition of their passion for software and the ability to make a difference in the software industry. Selected students will be considered for a paid summer internship that offers an opportunity to work on the development of Microsoft products. We would appreciate your assistance in informing all qualified students about these National Scholarships. For your convenience, you can send all students to http://microsoft.com/college/scholarship.htm for application information. By February 27, 1998, students should send applications directly to Microsoft (see contact information below). Microsoft will select and then interview finalists during February or March 1998, and, based on the results of the interview, select ten (10) scholarship winners. Scholarship program details are enclosed below. SUMMARY Application Process * Microsoft is offering ten $1,000 awards to outstanding undergraduate students. Five are allocated for women and five are allocated for people of color. * Applications must be postmarked by February 27, 1998. * Scholarship winners will be selected on the basis of eligibility criteria, quality of application, and student interest in the PC/software industry. * Scholarships will be awarded to the recipients by April 1, 1998 for the 1998-99 academic year. Eligibility Criteria * To win the National Minority Technical Scholarship, the student must be a member of one of the following three under-represented minority groups: African American, Hispanic, or Native American. To win the National Women's Technical Scholarship, the student must be female. * The student must be enrolled full-time in one of the specified undergraduate degrees and be making satisfactory progress towards a degree. Specific degrees include computer science, computer engineering, or a related technical discipline, such as math or physics, with a demonstrated interest in computer science. * The student must be enrolled in either his/her sophomore or junior year (or his/her fourth year if enrolled in a five year program) to apply. * The scholarship is merit-based and the student must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average out of a possible 4.0, or a 4.0 cumulative grade point average out of a possible 5.0. * The scholarship awards are made through designated schools and are not transferable to other academic institutions. Required Information 1. Letter of Referral Please enclose a letter of referral from a faculty member in your computer science department or related discipline. 2. Essay Please enclose an essay of 300-500 words describing how you are preparing yourself for a career in the software industry. 3. Resume Please enclose a copy of your resume, which should include the following information: * email address * campus address and phone number * campus ID number * permanent address and phone number * major * expected graduation date 4.Transcript Please enclose an official, sealed copy of your current academic transcript. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Please send your completed application to: Mary Blain National Scholarship Application Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052-8303