Hillcrest Scholarships

Hillcrest Scholarships

Hillcrest finalists, May 2013: (l-r) Emily Thyroff, Joseph Balsamo, Courtney Matson, President Alger, Lauren Distler, Caitlin McAvoy

The Hillcrest Scholarships provide funds to support extraordinary, off-campus experiences for Honors students in the summer following the junior year. Students apply during the sophomore year. The scholarships provide up to $5000 in financial assistance for students to engage in a research experience, participate in an internship, or carry out a service- or leadership-related initiative domestically or internationally. (The scholarship is not limited to these examples.) Students, with the aid of their faculty mentors, are encouraged to design unique projects that help them meet their academic and/or career goals. Please note that the scholarship cannot be used solely to fund a study abroad program.

Students apply to one of three scholarship areas:

• Research
• Global Studies
• Service and Leadership

Hillcrest scholars are selected on the basis of their proposed project, their ability to connect the proposed experience to future goals, their leadership experience and community engagement, and their ability to make a significant contribution to society in the future. The Hillcrest Scholarship helps fulfill the JMU Honors Program’s mission of providing an academic community engaging highly motivated and intellectually gifted students in exceptional experiences that develop excellence in leadership service, and scholarship.

Selection Criteria

Hillcrest Scholars are selected on the following basis:

1. The quality of the proposed enrichment experience: The selection committee will look for a specific and feasible project proposal that clearly articulates how the proposed activity fits into the applicant's academic and career plans and indicates why the applicant plans to carry out this activity in the proposed location.
2. Academic achievement and intellectual promise: The selection committee will look at the applicant’s academic record, scholarly awards and honors, and potential to excel in his/her field of study.
3. Leadership experience and community engagement: The committee is looking for applicants who are engaged in the university and wider community and who are proven leaders. Community engagement may include active participation in sports, arts, student government, voluntary associations, and other extracurricular activities.
4. Ability to make a significant future contribution to society: The committee is interested in projects that promote the public good.

Application Process

Applicants must be second-year Honors students in good standing. Each applicant must select a faculty mentor to support and guide him/her through the application process. The faculty mentor's roles include helping the applicant develop a feasible project, writing a letter of recommendation for the applicant that will be included in the portfolio, and serving as an advocate for the student throughout the application process.

To apply for the Hillcrest Scholarship, students submit an application that includes the following the materials:

1. Application
2. Personal statement (3-page maximum)
3. Project proposal (including title and abstract)
4. Resume
5. Transcript (can be unofficial)
6. A letter of recommendation from the faculty mentor that specifies how the applicant meets the selection criteria and discusses the feasibility and merit of the applicant’s proposed project
7. Letters of support/acceptance from individuals and/or organizations included in the project proposal
8. Budget for the project (please use the budget template)

Selection Process

1. Preliminary Interviews: Preliminary interviews will be scheduled in April 2014 to select a set of finalists. Applicants will be interviewed by JMU faculty, administrators, and/or students. Committee members may ask questions about the application, the proposed project, the applicant’s preparation to carry out the project, and/or how the project connects with the applicant’s academic and professional goals. 
2. Final Interviews: Finalists will participate in a second round of interviews on the morning of Saturday, April 26th. The final selection committee may include faculty members, administrators, students, alumni, and other friends of JMU. 

Schedule

February 28, 2014: Applicants are encouraged to submit a draft application to Dr. Adams and to their faculty mentor by this date.

March 21, 2014:  The final application is due. Applications should be submitted to Hillcrest by 4PM.

April 2014:  Preliminary interviews and selection of finalists. 

April 25, 2014:  Honors symposium and banquet. All Hillcrest applicants and their faculty mentors will be invited to a banquet in the evening. 

April 26, 2014:  Final interviews will be held in the morning. Recipients will be announced at the end of the interviews.