I was recently awarded a prestigious National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship. The NDSEG Fellowship is a “highly competitive, portable fellowship that is awarded to U.S. citizens and nationals who intend to pursue a doctoral degree.” This fellowship is sponsored by the Department of Defense. On average, only 8% of EE student applicants are offered a fellowship, and this year there were over 3,000 applications nationwide. The evaluation is based on a review of each applicant’s academic records, personal statements, recommendations, and GRE scores by an evaluation panel. NDSEG Fellowships provide full student support for three years, including full tuition and fees as well as a monthly stipend. This was an incredible accomplishment for me, and I cannot wait to begin my research in reconfigurable antenna design for cognitive radios. More importantly, my funding for my PhD is secure for three years, which should be enough to complete my degree.
