UScholars Prospective Students

Students can apply to the University Scholars program from the end of their freshman year through the first semester of their junior year. However, if a student plans to be abroad junior year, he or she MUST apply to the program during the second semester of their sophomore year. University Scholars are expected to be significantly involved in research and planning to continue, although not necessarily the same topic/discipline. They should also have specific ideas of what they would like to study and be able to give evidence of their commitment to research, e.g., having talked with professors with whom they might work, or having already begun some of the research on their own, perhaps in the form of a paper or an independent study. These specific ideas of intellectual and academic plans will be the meat of any University Scholars application essay.

Below are some suggestions and information about applying to the program. This application is rather challenging, but its purpose is to teach students a great deal about articulating their academic goals and abilities. Applicants MUST meet with Harriet Joseph, the Associate Director of University Scholars, at least one month before they turn in their application.

Due Dates

November 1st or March 1st.

Recommendations

The application requires at least three letters of recommendation. Ideally, these should be written by standing Penn faculty members (tenured) who know the applicant's work well and can speak quite specifically about his/her intellectual curiosity, potential for scholarly work in the field, and motivation. The recommendations are a very important part of the application, and applicants should contact their recommenders in advance so as to give them enough time to write a helpful letter.

Ideally, a student may already have one professor that he/she sees as a mentor. She/ he should help plan a program of courses and research work, give advice on the appropriate graduate group or school if students should choose to sub-matriculate, and write a letter that describes the applicant's work and his/her promise as a graduate student and a professional in their field. Dr. Joseph will be happy to talk with anyone who wishes to write a letter of support.

Since there may not be three faculty members an applicant knows well, one letter may be from a teaching assistant (TA), from a teacher at another school, or someone who knows the applicant's work in other ways. These hard copy letters should be addressed to Harriet Joseph, Associate Director, University Scholars, and should be sent directly to her:
University Scholars
The ARCH, 3601 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6224

Transcript

Each applicant should print a copy of his/her transcript from Penn InTouch and write his/her name and student ID number on it.

Essay

The statement describing the applicant's background, his/her academic plans and goals is the most important piece of the application. The essay should be used to describe all of the experience in the relevant field that explains the applicant's interest and demonstrates his/her talent. Current work should be explained, as well as the specific focus and the directions that could logically follow. An emphasis should be placed on any advanced or independent work the applicant has done. Speculation on what he/she would like to be doing in five, and in ten years are helpful. Applicants should include everything they think is relevant, especially specific examples and details. Do not hesitate to write briefly about extra-curricular interests. Dr. Joseph requires meeting with her to go over early drafts of the essay. Students should consult the Writing Program if they are experiencing problems writing an essay.

Interview

After the applicant's folder is complete (application form, recommendations, statement, and transcript) it will be sent to a committee of at least four members of the University Scholars Council. Applicants will be interviewed by these Council members, whose goal will be to learn more about them and their work. The interview is not an interrogation, but rather an opportunity for students to elaborate upon their interests. After the interview, the committee will decide whether to recommend the student to the entire Council of University Scholars. Each recommended candidate will be voted upon formally. We will be happy to discuss this interview, and any other part of the process, with applicants beforehand.

Check list of what is needed:

Last updated on September 14, 2006



	\| University Scholars: current students, prospective students, alumni \|
	UScholars Prospective Students Students can apply to the University Scholars program from the end of their freshman year through the first semester of their junior year. However, if a student plans to be abroad junior year, he or she MUST apply to the program during the second semester of their sophomore year. University Scholars are expected to be significantly involved in research and planning to continue, although not necessarily the same topic/discipline. They should also have specific ideas of what they would like to study and be able to give evidence of their commitment to research, e.g., having talked with professors with whom they might work, or having already begun some of the research on their own, perhaps in the form of a paper or an independent study. These specific ideas of intellectual and academic plans will be the meat of any University Scholars application essay. Below are some suggestions and information about applying to the program. This application is rather challenging, but its purpose is to teach students a great deal about articulating their academic goals and abilities. Applicants MUST meet with Harriet Joseph, the Associate Director of University Scholars, at least one month before they turn in their application. Due Dates November 1st or March 1st. Recommendations The application requires at least three letters of recommendation. Ideally, these should be written by standing Penn faculty members (tenured) who know the applicant's work well and can speak quite specifically about his/her intellectual curiosity, potential for scholarly work in the field, and motivation. The recommendations are a very important part of the application, and applicants should contact their recommenders in advance so as to give them enough time to write a helpful letter. Ideally, a student may already have one professor that he/she sees as a mentor. She/ he should help plan a program of courses and research work, give advice on the appropriate graduate group or school if students should choose to sub-matriculate, and write a letter that describes the applicant's work and his/her promise as a graduate student and a professional in their field. Dr. Joseph will be happy to talk with anyone who wishes to write a letter of support. Since there may not be three faculty members an applicant knows well, one letter may be from a teaching assistant (TA), from a teacher at another school, or someone who knows the applicant's work in other ways. These hard copy letters should be addressed to Harriet Joseph, Associate Director, University Scholars, and should be sent directly to her: University Scholars The ARCH, 3601 Locust Walk Philadelphia, PA 19104-6224 Transcript Each applicant should print a copy of his/her transcript from Penn InTouch and write his/her name and student ID number on it. Essay The statement describing the applicant's background, his/her academic plans and goals is the most important piece of the application. The essay should be used to describe all of the experience in the relevant field that explains the applicant's interest and demonstrates his/her talent. Current work should be explained, as well as the specific focus and the directions that could logically follow. An emphasis should be placed on any advanced or independent work the applicant has done. Speculation on what he/she would like to be doing in five, and in ten years are helpful. Applicants should include everything they think is relevant, especially specific examples and details. Do not hesitate to write briefly about extra-curricular interests. Dr. Joseph requires meeting with her to go over early drafts of the essay. Students should consult the Writing Program if they are experiencing problems writing an essay. Interview After the applicant's folder is complete (application form, recommendations, statement, and transcript) it will be sent to a committee of at least four members of the University Scholars Council. Applicants will be interviewed by these Council members, whose goal will be to learn more about them and their work. The interview is not an interrogation, but rather an opportunity for students to elaborate upon their interests. After the interview, the committee will decide whether to recommend the student to the entire Council of University Scholars. Each recommended candidate will be voted upon formally. We will be happy to discuss this interview, and any other part of the process, with applicants beforehand. Check list of what is needed: planning meeting with Harriet Joseph Application Form - hard copy essays three letters of recommendation transcript interview Last updated on September 14, 2006