University Scholars at our weekly Friday Lunch Talks.
University Scholars are unified by their innate sense of curiosity and passion for conducting and communicating research with others. These traits propel UScholars to explore the different ways of interpreting and understanding the world together.
We seek students who…
- …are naturally curious about the world around them;
- …wish to learn of different research processes and approaches outside of their immediate major(s) or area of expertise;
- …desire to participate in the exchange of ideas with professors and students in vastly different disciplines;
- …wish to embark on an independent, yet faculty mentor-supported, research project in their chosen area of expertise;
- …are willing to go beyond the bounds of normal coursework to engage with research;
- …demonstrate a commitment to building a community of scholars, the research process, and the different ways of knowing.
If you believe you match the above criteria, please read below for further information on our application processes for both incoming first-year students and current Penn students.
Information for:
Application Steps
To receive our application, you must first indicate your interest in the University Scholars Program on your Matriculation Questionnaire. This questionnaire will be on your admissions portal after you confirm your intent to attend Penn, and you will have time to investigate each program before responding. An automated email will be sent with instructions on applying to your selected program(s) of interest.
In brief, the UScholars application consists of several short-response questions that will elucidate your research interests, desire to join our program, and what you expect to gain and contribute to our community.
Timeline
- Mid-February through April: application opens to all incoming students; students are granted access to the program’s application only after confirming their intent to attend the University and indicating their interest in the UScholars program on their Matriculation Questionnaire.
- Early May: application portal closes to all students.
- Late May to Early June: all students receive a notification regarding their admission to the UScholars program.
- Mid-to-Late June: deadline to accept or decline offer of admission to UScholars.
A Note on Participation in Similar Programs
UScholars serves as a student's primary co-curricular program, an academic activity that augments a student's intellectual trajectory, but does not yield credit or fulfill a requirement as a curricular (or course for credit) commitment. As such, UScholars may not participate in programs with similar academic commitments (e.g., Vagelos Molecular Life Science, VIPER).
If you received an offer of admission from University Scholars, accept or decline your offer by the requested deadline.
You will receive additional instructions from the UScholars Program Coordinator on items to complete or submit by early-to-mid July.
Introduction
Current second- and third-year applicants must demonstrate…
- …that they are pursuing an their own original and independent research question, carefully explicating how they generated their question and the extent of independence they have/will exercise while conducting research;
- …a commitment to the program's mission, including interest in communicating and collaborating within and across their area of study.
Second-year applicants must have a well-formed research question and an idea of how to answer that question–a methodology. While second-years are not required to have a faculty mentor at the time of application, they should have a brief list of 1-2potential Penn faculty memberswho would serve as their mentor. Please see our Program Requirements page for more information on Penn faculty mentors.
Third-year applicants must already be conducting their own original, independent research under the guidance of a research mentor from a Penn faculty mentor. Please see our Program Requirements page for more information on Penn faculty mentors.
Application Steps
Current Penn students interested in the University Scholars program may apply via the link below. Please read the application instructions carefully, consult your faculty mentor, and craft your materials accordingly.
Application Components
- Application form
- Personal statement (500 word maximum)
- Research proposal
- Resume/CV
- Unofficial Penn transcript
- Two (2) letters of recommendation
Timeline
- September 1: Application opens for all students
- November 1: Application closes for all students
- December 1: Interviews for select applicants commence
- By winter break: Notifications for all students delivered
APPLY HERE
A Note on Participation in Similar Programs
UScholars serves as a student's primary co-curricular program, an academic activity that augments a student's intellectual trajectory, but does not yield credit or fulfill a requirement as a curricular commitment. As such, UScholars may not participate in programs with similar academic commitments (e.g., Vagelos Molecular Life Science, VIPER).
Frequently Asked Questions from Prospective Students
Approximately 20 to 30 incoming first-year students join the UScholars program each August, and 4 to 6 second- and third-year students join through our on-campus application process each December.
You do not need any prior research experience to apply to UScholars.
As UScholars is a co-curricular program, you are not required to take any specific courses to fulfill a program requirement.
No. The UScholars program is not a degree program, nor a major. Rather, all Scholars who successfully complete program requirements will have the "University Scholars" notation added to their transcript upon graduation. UScholars will also have special program cords to mark their participation in the program.
No. University Scholars is an academic program that augments a student's intellectual trajectory, but does not yield credit or fulfill a requirement as a curricular commitment. Therefore, you cannot use your UScholars project for credit for an independent study or senior thesis.
The University Scholars program does not prohibit students from applying to multiple Scholars programs. However, to avoid conflicting program requirements, you may only accept one offer of admission.
Dual degree programs are not considered a specialized scholars program. College students in UScholars are eligible to pursue a dual degree with a professional school, although this is rare. UScholars in Nursing, Engineering or Wharton are eligible to pursue intensive or dual-degree programs in their home school (Huntsman, LSM, or Nursing and Health Care Management). Contact your Pre-Major Advisor for more information.
No, we do not match students with faculty research mentors. Students identify and select a faculty mentor through their own independent exploration. There are a variety of advising supports that students may access as they endeavor on their search for a primary mentor, including the Faculty Council, Program Coordinator, Graduate Fellow, and Peer Mentor Groups.
You may email Ms. Taryn Painter, UScholars Program Coordinator, with questions.