First Wave Scholarship Program (Second Round)

Administered by the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives (OMAI), the First Wave Hip Hop & Urban Arts Learning Community is the first university program in the country centered on urban arts, spoken word and hip-hop culture. It is a four-year, full-tuition scholarship program for hip-hop artists, activists, and scholars.

With the support of affiliated faculty, staff, and artists, First Wave students:

  • develop their craft as part of a high-level artistic community alongside faculty, staff, and nationally renowned spoken word and hip hop artists
  • pursue their academic and career goals by studying fields that merge their artistic interests with professional development
  • engage the community in creative service-learning projects that combine multicultural arts and activism

Award
Full UW-Madison tuition
Organizations
First Wave Hip Hop & Urban Arts Learning Community
Deadline
04/15/2024
Supplemental Questions
  1. What is your Date of Birth?
  2. What are your pronouns?
  3. How would you best describe your gender identity?
  4. How did you find out about the First Wave Scholarship Program?
  5. If 'Current/Alum First Waver,' please enter their name. If 'Other,' please explain.
  6. The First Wave Hip Hop & Urban Arts Learning Community is founded on three pillars — Academics, Arts, and Activism. In your essay, describe how you can contribute to the First Wave community and uphold its pillars as a student at UW-Madison. Please provide examples or share an experience that highlights how your interests align with all three program pillars.
  7. Here you will be asked to submit TWO required artistic samples with ONE optional artistic sample.

    If you would like to submit a video sample(s), please upload the video to YouTube, Vimeo, or Google Drive and share the link with us in the space provided. Please ensure that the privacy settings on the video are set to allow anyone with the link to view.

    For all other file types, please upload the sample(s) using the "Add a New File" options provided below.

    Please note that only three samples will be considered as a part of your First Wave application. If you submit more than three samples, only the first three will be reviewed.
    • Sample 1:
    • Sample 2:
    • Sample 3 (Optional):
    • Video link 1:
    • Video link 2:
    • Video link 3 (Optional):
  8. Please list two references below.
    • Reference #1
    • Reference #2
  9. Second Round Completion Checklist
    I understand that I must have completed and submitted all of the following required items. Incomplete applications will not be considered for the First Wave Scholarship Program.

    1. Completed and submitted the Freshman or Transfer Admissions Online Application
    2. Submitted all mandatory materials to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment
    3. Completed ONE First Wave Essay Question (300-500 words)
    4. Uploaded at minimum TWO, at maximum THREE artistic samples
    5. Submitted my First Wave Scholarship application
  10. Show 4 more