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Undergraduate University Scholar:
Undergraduate University Scholars are
exceptional, creative, academically accomplished students
who can profit from an interdisciplinary program and who have
demonstrated, through official financial-aid applications,
that they need scholarship support to achieve their academic
ambitions.
How to apply:
Undergraduate University Scholars for the class of 2011 have now been chosen. Scholars for the class of 2012 will be chosen in April 2008.
It is not possible or necessary to apply directly to the University Scholars Program. There are no supplemental forms or materials to submit. All that is needed is to apply for admission to Duke University in the normal manner. It is a policy of long standing that the Admissions Office considers all applicants for admission for every appropriate scholarship. Please note that the scholarship is intended for incoming freshmen only. Transfer students or students already enrolled at Duke are not eligible.
As University Scholars are selected in part on the basis of financial need, it is imperative to file any required financial aid forms as early as possible, preferably by mid-February. The financial aid forms include the PROFILE, FAFSA, W-2 and tax forms, and any other required forms. For more information, go to the Office of Financial Aid website. For details on required forms, see:
After evaluating all eligible candidates, the USP Faculty Advisory Committee then invites approximately twenty finalists
to Duke’s campus for a weekend in early April. During this selection weekend, finalists have the opportunity to meet current scholars, the other finalists, and the staff and faculty of Duke University, and experience a USP seminar. Each finalist is interviewed by a committee consisting of faculty advisors, graduate and professional school University Scholars and advanced undergraduate University Scholars. On the basis of the general applications and the interviews, up to eight scholarships are awarded each year.
The distinctive features of the University Scholars
Program for undergraduate scholars include:
Full
Tuition Scholarship
Each undergraduate
is awarded a University Scholarship providing full-tuition
for four years.
Assistance for Students Demonstrating Additional
Financial Need
Duke University will meet 100% of the demonstrated need
of all admitted University Scholars who are U.S. citizens
or non-citizens eligible for student aid. University
Scholars can expect that any demonstrated financial need
beyond full tuition will be covered by grants, not loans
Summer
Enrichment Program
After the third year, undergraduate University Scholars
may receive support for an intensive internship, research
experience, or a summer abroad. Students prepare a budget
and a proposal for their program of summer enrichment. In
the past, students have interned in nuclear physics in Germany;
conducted independent research in Costa Rica on tropical
plants for medicinal purposes; held a research internship
in Australia on elasmobranches (rays, sharks, skates); arranged
independent studies in neurobiology and Japanese economics;
learned about documentary filmmaking in New York City; and
studied abroad through programs in China, Japan, Switzerland
and England. Click
here for guidelines on preparing budgets and proposals.
Study
Abroad
Scholars may study abroad through an approved
program for one or two semesters. The University Scholars
Program will cover tuition charges up to but not in excess
of Duke’s tuition charges. Students who have demonstrated
additional need may expect similar support for remaining
expenses.
Interdisciplinarity--Both
Curricular and Extracurricular
Students can decide how they wish to pursue interdisciplinary
interests. Some may design their own curriculum through
Duke's Program II; others may pursue double majors or certificate
programs.
Features
of the University Scholars Program Common to All Scholars
University
Scholars Seminars
These informal seminars, held every two weeks, bring
together graduate and professional school University Scholars,
undergraduate scholars, and interested faculty, as well
as distinguished visiting scholars, scientists and artists.
Students of all levels are encouraged to lead a seminar
on their own work-in-progress or on a topic of particular
interest to them.
Annual
University Scholars Symposium
Each year, University Scholars will showcase their research
and scholarship in a symposium to which the entire university
community is invited. Previous Symposia include:
"Cities in Evolution: Imagination and Reinvention" (2006)
"The End of the World (As We Know It)" (2005)
"Truth Lies Within <-> Within Lies Truth" (2004)
“We Will Remember It For You” (2003)
“Exposing Privacy” (2002)
“Perspectives on Political Change: South Africa and
USA” (2001)
“From Faust to the Future: The Costs & Rewards
of [too much?] Knowledge” (2000)
University Scholars Mentoring
An informal, intellectual mentoring program offers interdisciplinary
research possibilities, helps to shape multidisciplinary
interests into an interdisciplinary program, and encourages
collaborative thinking and intellectual risk-taking.
University Scholars Coffees
These entirely student led discussions bring University
Scholars together in the casual setting of campus cafés
to talk about matters ranging from the practical to the
esoteric.
Cultural Programming
Duke Performances offers reduced price student tickets to live music, dance, and other arts events on campus. Students often have the opportunity to meet with
the artist(s) before or after their performance in small
seminars or discussions.
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