Eugene McDermott Scholars Program FAQs

Application Questions

• What is the application deadline?

  The deadline for submitting a McDermott application (and two recommendations) has been set for Friday, March 10, 2023, at 10:59:59 am CDT.

• What needs to be submitted?

  A Eugene McDermott Scholars Program Application with two recommendations (all online and accessible through the McDermott Program website). No additional materials will be reviewed, even if you submitted them as part of your application for admission to The University of Texas at Dallas.

• Can I use recommendation letters submitted with my application to UT Dallas?

  No. Recommenders for the McDermott Application must be selected using the Recommender Naming Form on our website (available once application opens). Once selected, the system will email your chosen recommenders a case specific link to the recommendation form, which they will need to complete and submit by the application deadline.

• When do I have to accept AES or admissions offers?

  Accept your offer of admission and complete the AES acceptance process no later than May 1, 2023.

• Are acceptance of admission and AES offers binding?

  No, accepting your offer of admission or scholarship award is nonbinding.

• How do I know if my application is competitive?

  Competitive applications are typically among the top tenth of UTD’s applicant pool by academics (evidenced by performance in high school – GPA, overall grades in academic coursework and trends in achievement, strength of curriculum based on what is offered by their institution, etc.). Generally, almost a third of admitted students are awarded an Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES), and to qualify for McDermott, you must first be offered an AES Award.

• Are standardized test scores considered as part of the application process?

  The Eugene McDermott Scholars Program application does not consider standardized test scores.

• Is financial need considered as part of the application process?

  No. The scholarship is merit based.

• May I mail my application materials?

  No. All McDermott Application materials must be submitted through the online application system.

• How do I know that my McDermott Application was correctly submitted?

  The McDermott Application system will send an automated confirmation message to your UT Dallas email in response to certain actions such as saving your McDermott Application, submission of your application, and the submission of a recommendation.

• Does the McDermott Application have a video prompt or ask for an applicant headshot?

  No.

• Do you accept supplements to the McDermott Application (e.g., artwork, research, recordings, etc.)?

  No.

• My school and extra-curricular experiences were disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Will this negatively impact my McDermott Application?

  No.

• May I edit my McDermott Application after submission?

  You will not have the option to edit your McDermott Application after submission.

• Do I have to complete the McDermott Application all at once?

  You may move freely between fields at any time until submission. Please use the “Save” button at the bottom of the McDermott Application form to protect your work in between work sessions. Use the “Check Form (Don’t Save)” button to verify that all required fields are completed. To submit the application, you must first click the “Review Application” button. At that time, you will have the option to return to editing, view a PDF, or submit. Be sure to save or print a copy of your work before you submit.

• If I am eligible, will I be invited to apply?

  Yes. Please watch the email you used when applying to UT Dallas and your official UT Dallas email.

• May I take a gap year between my last year of high school and first year of college?

  No. A McDermott Scholar must be admitted to UT Dallas as a first-time freshman applicant for the fall semester immediately following high school graduation.

• May I defer my McDermott Scholarship offer?

  No.

General Program Questions

• Is the award annual or renewable?

  The McDermott Award is renewable annually for up to four years (through spring 2027) pending the Scholar’s continued eligibility in keeping with the academic, service, extracurricular, and community requirements of the McDermott Scholars Program.

• Do I have to pay taxes on the McDermott Scholarship?

  Per the IRS, scholarships are taxable. Since tax liability depends on each individual’s circumstances, recipients should consult a personal tax advisor with any questions or concerns.

• What are the academic requirements necessary to remain in the McDermott Scholars Program?

  Minimum semesterly and cumulative academic GPA requirements: -- 1st Year: 3.2 -- 2nd Year: 3.3 -- 3rd Year: 3.4 -- 4th Year: 3.5 -- Additionally, McDermott Scholars are required to complete 30 hours of academic credit across the fall and spring semesters (15 unique hours each Fall and Spring). Summers are treated differently and cannot be added to the 30 hours requirement.

• What are the non-academic requirements necessary to remain in the McDermott Scholars Program?

  McDermott Scholars are expected to be consistently active in the local and campus community through leadership and service. Each Scholar will be expected to complete a minimum number of hours per long semester and a summer of service at the end of the first year in the Program. Scholars also commit to participate in the extracurricular dimensions of the McDermott Scholars Program including, but not limited to, cohort travel, cultural enrichment, McDermott community events, Program recruitment events, and the McDermott First-Year Seminar (Friday afternoons).

• Do McDermott Scholars have to participate during the summers?

  McDermott Scholars’ summers are funded. Year-round participation (including summer engagement) is required. During the summer immediately following the end of the first academic year of their commitment, Scholars participate in McDermott Summer of Service (MSoS) in the DFW area. Second and third-year summers must be utilized for Program approved engagement (e.g., classes, service, study abroad, internship, and/or research) and may be away from campus.

• What is the McDermott Summer of Service?

  The McDermott Summer of Service (MSoS) follows the completion of a Scholar’s first year in the Program. During the MSoS, Scholars will devote 20 hours of each summer week (10 weeks in total) to direct, in-person service within a local community (either on campus or off). Some of the service hours will be completed with organizations partnering with the McDermott Scholars Program/UT Dallas and the remainder will take place with organizations identified by the Scholars themselves. The Scholars will utilize the other 20 hours of their week for approved engagement activities such as classes, research, internships, or additional service.

• Do McDermott Scholars live on campus?

  McDermott Scholars maintain residence in the university’s Honors Housing with an on-campus lease during the first year of their commitment. During the second, third, and fourth years, they hold a lease on or off campus.

• Are McDermott Scholars expected to be certain majors?

  McDermott Scholars may major in any subject available at UT Dallas.

• Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for this scholarship?

  No, U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for eligibility.

• What does the McDermott Scholarship cover?

  The Eugene McDermott Scholars Program is cost of attendance plus. It covers tuition and mandatory fees, housing and living stipends, book stipends, up to $15,000 for study abroad and other development, and more.

• Does the McDermott Scholars package differ for international students?

  The basic award package is the same; however, international students are subject to special fees and insurance coverage that is not funded by the McDermott Program.

• Do McDermott Scholars study abroad?

  McDermott Scholars are expected to study abroad in a Program-approved, credit-bearing academic experience.

• Can I work for pay while a McDermott Scholar?

  Paid employment is incompatible with the demands of the Program.