The Beckman Scholarship and the Path to Research Excellence: An Interview with Assistant Professor John Anderson
For undergraduate students with a passion for research, the Beckman Scholars Program (whose deadline is February 23rd) represents more than just financial support—it's a gateway to discovery and opportunity.
To give some insight into the application process, Assistant Professor John Anderson, who was selected as a 2006 Beckman Scholar while an undergraduate at UChicago, sat with us to share his experience and offer advice to those aspiring to pursue research early in their academic careers.
For many undergraduates, the prospect of applying for such a prestigious scholarship can be daunting. Reflecting on his time as an undergraduate in Gregory Hillhouse’s lab, Anderson recalls the maturity that came upon him quickly as he awaited his first trial by fire.
"I vividly remember sitting outside the interview room, just sweating bullets. That was the first time I had to stand up in front of a group of faculty. I was nervous, but when I actually went up there, I got calm. It was just like, okay, we're doing this."
Now on the other side of the table, Anderson is sensitive to the pressures students face asserting themselves at an early stage.
"As an undergraduate, you get really nervous because you don't have a level of intellectual sophistication and depth," he explains. "But what they [the judges] are looking for is not that you have technical mastery, but that you have a vision and that you can enunciate that vision in a compelling way."
Both second and third-year undergraduates can apply for the Beckman Scholarship. Anderson applied for the award during his second year—an experience he describes as both challenging and rewarding.
"I think third years are a little more prepared than second years, which maybe makes sense," he notes. "But one of the advantages of being selected as a second year is that you have more time to develop in the program."
For many applicants, the interview portion of the application process will be the first time in front of an academic audience. Anderson acknowledges that presentation matters in such an evaluation and emphasizes to his students to practice clarity and brevity.
“Can you give a compelling pitch for the problem that you're trying to solve in three slides? It's difficult, but a valuable skill to learn."
Likewise, he advises students not to be hesitant to follow their own interests. "Pick a really compelling problem. Even if it's not directly related to something that you're currently doing or that your PI is doing, sometimes that can be a much better pitch than just taking an idea that's already in the lab and running with it."
Ultimately, the Beckman Scholarship represents more than just financial support—it's a springboard for academic and professional growth. receiving the Beckman Scholarship had a profound impact on his career path by exposing him to the rigors of academic inquiry at an early stage.
"It introduced me at a young age to this idea of rigor and asking tough questions," he explains. "Not being afraid to challenge people—being unabashed about challenging people."
With dedication, a clear vision, and adherence to The 7 P’s, Anderson hopes that aspiring researchers can unlock their full potential by applying for the Beckman Scholarship and embark on a journey that promises to shape their future in science.
For more information on the Beckman Scholars Program, click here for more info