Dean's Excellence Awards

Let the love of learning rule humanity.
Phi Kappa Phi Motto

The Phi Kappa Phi Gathright/Dean's Excellence awards were created to recognize top first-year and sophomore students for their achievements. These university-wide awards are presented annually to the top freshman and sophomore students in each college who display exceptional promise. The award is administered in partnership with the TAMU chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, one of the oldest and most prestigious honor societies in the world. The goal of the Dean's Excellence awards is to identify and honor those students who exemplify the Phi Kappa Phi motto to "let the love of learning rule humanity."

The top student in each college and classification is designated as a Gathright Scholar, with the second student recognized as the Dean's Excellence Award winner.

Eligibility

All applicants must be full time students and a member of the awarding college at Texas A&M University (as shown in university records). Applicants must not possess a record of academic dishonesty or any student conduct violations.
To compete in the Freshman category a student must have been admitted to Texas A&M University through the Freshman admissions process in the fall or spring semester immediately preceding the application due date.
To compete in the Sophomore category a student must have completed at least 2 but no more than 4 fall/spring semesters at any institution by the application due date.

Timeline

Application Components

Required Components

Course Information
Personal Statement
Research and/or Creative Production
Community Engagement
Accomplishments/Awards
Unofficial TAMU Transcript
Letters of Recommendation*

Document Formatting Requirements

With the exception of transcripts and recommendations, each component should be:
- Single-spaced
- 12pt font
- No longer than 1 page
Including transcripts, all documents (*except recommendations) should be combined into a single file:
- In PDF format
- Saved as 'Last Name_UIN_DeanExcellenceAwardPacket
  - Example: An application packet would be saved as: Smith_123004567_DeanExcellenceAwardPacket

Required Components Explained

Course information

In addition to uploading your transcripts, you are responsible for submitting detailed information on each college-level course you have taken. This information should include: Course title, course code, course number, credit hours, grades, etc. Failure to submit this information will result in a low score during the evaluation process of your DEA application.

Personal statement
Discuss your background and interests in relation to both your short-term goals and life ambitions. Remember that a good personal statement not only answers the question, 'what?' but also the question, 'why?'.
Research and/or Creative Production
Discuss any research you have conducted or are currently conducting and/or any creative endeavors you pursue (music, art, theatre, creative writing, etc.). Remember that reviewers will not necessarily be experts in your field.
Community Engagement
Discuss the ways in which you engage with your university, local, national, or even international community. How do you find meaning in this engagement? What have you learned from the experience?
Accomplishments/Awards
Explain any notable milestones or achievements and contextualize them within your interests and goals.
Unofficial TAMU transcript
The transcript should come from Howdy. Applicants should select the option for a PDF version of the transcript.
Recommendations
See below

Recommendations

Each application must be accompanied by two (2) letters of recommendation. Recommendations should be a maximum of 2 pages and should come from a TAMU faculty member (not a graduate student) who has provided instruction or guidance (e.g. course instructor or research mentor). The letter should comment on your academic abilities and potential related to your intended field with clear, specific examples.

REMINDER

Letters of Recommendation must be submitted by June 3, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

Award

Awardees will be honored with an official certificate at the annual Phi Kappa Phi Fall Breakfast in October.

Application

Students may access the application here

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