Application Information

APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2024 ARE NOW OPEN UNTIL FEBRUARY 1, 2024!

We welcome applications from anyone interested in any of the pillars of CSAW (community, soil, air, and/or water). Potential projects will focus on Atlanta and could include...

• Community mapping
• Quantifying and communicating urban heat island
• Qualitative archival work on hazardous waste sites
• Urban air quality
• Political ecology and environmental justice
• Environmental education
• Other community, soil, air, and water questions

There are two steps that must be completed to apply to CSAW:

(1) Apply to the GSU Geosciences master’s degree program

Students must apply, and gain acceptance, to the GSU Geoscience master’s degree program. We do not have a PhD program and do not accept PhD applications. Please read ALL of these directions entirely before navigating to the application site.

• There are three concentrations in the degree program you can apply for: geography, geology, or water science. Information about each, including admission requirements, is in the university catalog.
• There is a $50 application fee. All fee waivers are handled by the College and information about attaining a fee waiver can be found here. If you have any other questions about the application process, please make sure to check this website first, as most questions are answered here.
• GRE scores will not be considered, even if you submit them, and TOEFL/IELTS requirement information can be found here.
• Acceptance to the GSU Geoscience master’s degree program does not guarantee you acceptance to the CSAW fellowship, but only applicants who are accepted to the degree program will be considered for a CSAW fellowship. If you want to be considered for a CSAW fellowship, you must complete the degree program application (including paying the application fee and getting your recommenders to submit their letters) by February 1, 2024.
• You complete your application to the master’s degree program here: https://gradapply.gsu.edu/apply/. As part of this application you will need to answer five ~250 word questions on your educational and career goals along with submitting your CV, transcript(s), and 2-3 letters of recommendation.

(2) Apply to the CSAW Fellowship

The additional CSAW fellowship application requires answering the following set of questions:

• Q1: What are your goals and motivations (personal and/or professional, short and long-term) in applying to the CSAW program? (please limit your answer to 250 words)
• Q2: What are your previous experiences and/or interests in community-based research projects, especially in environmental justice communities, that will help you succeed as an M.S. fellow in the CSAW program? (please limit your answer to 250 words)
• Q3: Please briefly describe leadership and/or community involvement experiences in your life so far. (please limit your answer to 150 words)
• Q4: What special skills, preparation, or experiences do you bring to CSAW that will help you succeed here? Feel free to consider experiences beyond the academic realm. (please limit your answer to 250 words)
• Q5: Briefly describe what you see as your social and emotional strengths and weaknesses and what you plan to do to continue growing during the CSAW program. (please limit your answer to 200 words)
• Q6: (optional) If you feel your academic record and experience are not representative of your abilities and potential in graduate school, please let us know any details you wish to share. (please limit your answer to 250 words)

To submit this portion of the application, fill out the following form via Qualtrics: https://bit.ly/csawapp2024

What We're Looking For

Fellowship applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Alignment with the program and understanding of community-based research
2. Leadership and community involvement experience
3. Ability to contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the program
4. Academic preparation and scholarly performance
5. Socio-emotional competencies
6. Non-traditional learning and experiences outside academia

Complete applications are due by February 1, 2024. Both steps must be fully completed by this date, including payment of the application fee and submission of letters of recommendation. Note that this is before the final deadline for general admission to the MS program, which is February 15th.

Questions? Email us at [email protected]