Simmons University 2023 Kotzen Scholarship for Undergraduate Students

The Gilbert and Marcia Kotzen Scholars Program is a competitive merit award that recognizes the best and brightest students interested in a transformative education at Simmons University.

This is the most prestigious award offered at Simmons, and acknowledges excellence through focus on study abroad, scholarly research, and intellectual curiosity.

• Table of Content
• About Simmons University
• Kotzen Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of Kotzen Scholarship
• Requirements for Kotzen Scholarship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Simmons University

Simmons University is a private women-focused undergraduate university and co-educational graduate school in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1899 by clothing manufacturer John Simmons. In 2018, it reorganized its structure and changed its name to a university.

Kotzen Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of Kotzen Scholarship

The Kotzen Scholarship provides full tuition, room & board, plus an additional $3,000 for academic pursuits such as study abroad, research support, and more. This scholarship is awarded for the duration of a four-year period of full-time undergraduate study, and supersedes any previously awarded merit scholarship. 

Requirements for Kotzen Scholarship Qualification

Students applying for the Kotzen Scholarship must meet the following criteria:

• Apply as a first-year for the fall semester
• Simmons is test optional so it is your choice if you would like to submit standardized test scores with your admission application. For those choosing to submit test scores, a 28 or higher on the ACT is recommended and a 1300 or higher on the SAT
• Non-native English speakers must submit an English proficiency test (TOEFL/IELTS, TOEFL essentials, SAT/ACT scores, or Duolingo English Test)
• GPA of 3.3 or higher, unweighted
• College preparatory curriculum including an advanced level math course during, or prior to, your senior year of high school
• A record of taking honors, advanced placement (AP) and international baccalaureate (IB) courses, as available in their high school systems

Students who meet the criteria above are often also interested in the Honors Program at Simmons.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

The application consists of a short answer and a formal essay in response to the prompts below, as well as a resume including activities and involvements. Students should submit their essays and resume in PDF or Word Doc via email with the subject line "Kotzen Application," by December 1. Each page of the document should include the student's full name and date of birth.

Please note: it is the student's responsibility to submit a working file in the proper format (PDF or Word) as we will not convert or accept incompatible files (i.e. Google Docs, Pages, etc.)

Essay prompts

• Short Answer (of no more than 250 words): How would you use your additional annual award of $3,000 (for study abroad, short-term courses, summer internship tuition, and/or research support)?

• Formal Essay (of no more than 500 words): Some people argue that leaders are born, not made, while others defend the opposite view, namely that leaders are "made." Write an essay in which you defend one view or the other. Use a specific example of a leader, either from history or from your own personal experience, to support your argument.

Finalists chosen for scholarship consideration will be required to complete an interview in February.

For more details, visit Simmons University website.