Willis Women’s Scholarship
Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation
The Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation seeks to invest in the future of osteopathic medicine in the Pacific Northwest by supporting students in the field. Since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has supported several students by offsetting their medical school tuition with scholarships.
The Willis Women’s Scholarship will provide a scholarship award of at least $10,000 to one female student. The student must be from Oregon, and studying at Western University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest in Lebanon, OR. The scholarship is not open to first-year students.
The committee is looking for an exceptional student who shows profound commitment to practicing osteopathic medicine in her hometown, possesses leadership skills and volunteer experience.
Scholarship Summary
The Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation seeks to invest in the future of osteopathic medicine in the Pacific Northwest by supporting students in the field. Since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has supported several students by offsetting their medical school tuition with scholarships.
The Willis Women’s Scholarship will provide a scholarship award of at least $10,000 to one female student. The student must be from Oregon, and studying at Western University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest in Lebanon, OR. The scholarship is not open to first-year students.
The committee is looking for an exceptional student who shows profound commitment to practicing osteopathic medicine in her hometown, possesses leadership skills and volunteer experience.
Eligibility Requirements
- Eligible Grade: Graduate
- Maximum Age: Any
- Required GPA: Any
- Geographic Eligibility: Oregon
- Gender: Women
- Race/Ethnicity: Any
Key Information of Willis Women’s Scholarship
Study Details
Area of Study
- Healthcare
- Medicine
- Osteopathic Medicine
Country of Study
United States
Specific Schools
WesternU College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest
Application Requirements
Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.
- Video Submission
- Recommendation letters
- Essay
Willis Women’s Scholarship Timeline
January 2025
Application Opens
Interested students can start applying at the start of the year. This date should be confirmed on the website.
April 18, 2025
Application Deadline
All candidates should have their applications turned in by April 18. Check the website to confirm the date.
May 2025
Selection process is finalized
The selection team will finish reviewing all applications and making their recommendations to the Foundation Board in May.
June 2025
Winner is notified
The winner of the scholarship and her school are both notified.
How to ace the Willis Women’s Scholarship
Join osteopathic medical associations
Being a member of at least one state osteopathic medical association will definitely be a plus to your application. Most memberships are free to students, but even if you pay a small fee, you’ll benefit from membership anyway.
Arrange for your recommendation letter early
Start the application process by deciding who you want to write your recommendation letter, and telling him/her. You only have one shot at a reference, so choose wisely. Regular reminders to your reference will also be helpful, so you don’t miss the deadline.
Prepare a clear and coherent video
Recording a selfie video is part of your application, so make sure you don’t just record anything. Write a script that covers what you want to say beforehand so you don’t babble. Record in clear lighting, and borrow someone else’s phone if yours doesn’t have the best camera quality. You can do a bit of production, but don’t go overboard.
Hone your essay writing skills
Take your time to learn how to write an excellent essay. Everything from excellent grammar, building a proper flow, and effective storytelling should reflect in your essay. You can perfect your essay writing by gathering tips online or in person from professionals, and practicing — practice makes perfect! Also, prepare your essay in a word processing software, so you can be mindful of the character count, and not lose your work if the application portal messes up.
How the Willis Women’s Scholarship is Judged
The selection team will assess each candidate’s essays, a 90-second selfie video posted as unlisted on YouTube, and a recommendation letter that is to answer a specific question posed on the website. Candidates’ applications should reflect excellent academic qualities, leadership skills, passion for bettering their community, and dedication to a career in osteopathic medicine. The scholarship team comprises Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine.
Why We Love the Willis Women’s Scholarship
It adds a personal touch
The video submission adds a very personal touch to the application. If done right, it gives applicants a great chance at selling themselves.
You can review the application before you start
The Foundation’s website allows anyone to look at the application worksheet before they start applying. This gives interested individuals a chance to gauge the application requirements in detail ahead of time.
Winner is publicized on their channels
The Foundation will use the winner’s general information and relevant application material for promotion on their various channels. This could be good publicity for the winner.
5 Facts About Willis Women’s Scholarship
The fund is strictly for tuition
The scholarship fund should only be used for medical school tuition.
The Foundation will contact the winner’s school
The Foundation will reach out to the award recipient’s school to confirm her active status as a student.
It is named after late Genie Willis DO
The scholarship is sponsored by the remarkable Genie Willis DO who passed at the age of 94 in 2019.
The Foundation offers other scholarships
The Foundation has a $100,000 scholarship fund for this scholarship and other scholarships for students in the osteopathic medicine field.
The Foundation has awarded over 580 scholarships
Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded over 580 students from the Northwest scholarships.