The UW School of Medicine Scholarship Program

Congratulations on receiving support from the UW School of Medicine!

Scholarships are made possible through the generosity of donors, many of whom are UW School of Medicine alumni who received scholarships themselves as students.

To help us better thank our scholarship donors, please fill out this informational form. Most of you will also be asked to write a thank-you letter to the donors who have contributed to your education. Donors really enjoy hearing from you!

Upload Your Letter

To Get Started:

1. Find the name of the scholarship you have received on your award letter. In the Find Your Scholarship section below, choose the appropriate category, find your fund listing and see if you need to write a thank-you letter. Not all funds require a letter. If you do need to write a letter, make sure to use the salutation indicated on the fund listing in your letter.
2. Fill out this informational form, even if your scholarship does not require a thank-you letter.
3. If you need or want to write a letter, write a separate thank-you letter for each scholarship or student support fund and submit each letter individually.
4. Don’t suffer needlessly from writer’s block. Not sure what to write? Review the What to Write About section below for ideas.
5. Consider including a photo of yourself, or of you and your family. It adds an extra bit of personalization that donors appreciate.

If you have questions, check out the Frequently Asked Questions or Contact Us sections below.

 

What to Write About

Here are a few tips as you write your letter. We’ve found that four paragraphs — or the equivalent of one side of a sheet of paper — is a good length for the average letter.

• Please use the salutation found in your scholarship description, and read more about the donor and their inspiration for creating the scholarship. Learn more in the Find Your Scholarship section below.
• If you are receiving this scholarship for the first time, include information about your background: where you’re from, where you attended college (if applicable) and what your interests are outside of medicine.
• Mention the name of the scholarship and say what it means to you and how it has helped you pursue your educational goals.
• If the story behind your scholarship or support fund really resonated with you, consider telling the reader about it.
• Tell the reader why you’re interested in your chosen field. Describe your goals.
• Talk about the greatest challenges and successes in your training so far.
• Mention your community service interests and other activities (past or present) and how they have enriched your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to fill out the form even if I’m not writing a letter?

A: Yes. The information you provide allows us to communicate with you based on your preferences. Thanks!

 

Q: I don’t remember which scholarships I received. How do I find out?

A: You should have received an award letter that lists which scholarship(s) or student support fund(s) you were awarded. If you can’t find your award letter, please contact your program administrator/financial aid officer.

 

Q: I’m having trouble using this website to submit my letter or photo. What do I do?

A: Please send your letter and/or photo via email to Irina Bobrik at ib8@uw.edu.

 

Q: I would rather submit my letter and form by mail. How can I do that?

A: You mail your letter and form to:

UW Medicine Advancement c/o Irina Bobrik

Box 358045

Seattle, WA 98195-8045

 

Q: I looked up my scholarship, but I didn’t see any donors to write to. Do I still need to write a letter?

A: You do not need to write a thank-you letter if no donors are listed.

 

Q: What if I don’t see the scholarship I received on the list?

A: Please contact Irina Bobrik at ib8@uw.edu.

 

Q: Can you tell me when I’m receiving my financial aid package?

A: For all questions about the timing and contents of your financial aid package, please contact your financial aid officer or program administrator.

Contact Us

If you have questions about our thank-you letter writing project, please let us know. Thank you very much for your assistance.

Irina Bobrik
Assistant Director for Donor Relations
ib8@uw.edu
206.616.0412

UW Medicine Advancement
medstew@uw.edu
206.543.5686

Questions about the nature or timing of your financial aid package?
Please contact your financial aid officer or program administrator.

Find Your Scholarship

Donors have many reasons for giving to scholarships and student support funds at the UW School of Medicine. Some are alumni, while others are interested community members. Some benefited from scholarships when they went to school; others simply believe in the power of education. We hope you enjoy learning about the history behind your scholarship or student support fund and that it helps inspire your thank-you letter.

Please use the links below to find your scholarship fund and read a description of the fund and its contributors. Each scholarship description provides some background on the donors and the motivation behind their donation.

In cases where the original donors are still living — or, in the case of organizations, still in existence — you will also learn to whom you should address your thank-you letter.

In some cases, you will see that a letter is not required.