What does the program offer?
What are the financial incentives?
What do students gain from the program?
Does being a Norlin Scholar entail more work?
Is the Norlin application process separate from the CU application process?
Will Norlin Scholars be selected based on financial need?
Will I have to reapply for the Norlin Scholarship every year?
Are there other programs I should know about and apply to at CU-Boulder?
Can I include additional information in my package?
Can my letter of recommendation arrive separately?
What is the application deadline?
When will I hear if I'm selected as a Norlin Scholar?

• What does the program offer?

  Norlin Scholars are supported in cultivating the qualities of a scholar at the university level. This means that, in addition to guidance as to how to tailor their education to fit their interests and goals, they'll undertake research, scholarly and creative projects in their major disciplines. Through our small courses, research requirements and other enrichment activities, the program provides academic challenge, breadth of experience, and close interaction with faculty. The benefits include:

  • Guidance and advising aimed at extra enrichment of the undergraduate experience.
  • Participation in Norlin classes, honors courses and other small-group experiences emphasizing critical thinking, collaboration, and written and oral communication skills.
    
  • Experience on research or creative projects with faculty and/or senior honors thesis projects within student's major or on an interdisciplinary topic.
    
  • Top scholarship advising and guidance.
    
  • Advising opportunities regarding service learning, internships, and overseas experience.
    
    

• What are the financial incentives?

  Each Norlin Scholar will receive a merit-based award of $3000 per year. Students who need additional financial assistance should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The Office of Financial Aid will work to maximize opportunities for need-based assistance.

• What do students gain from the program?

  Norlin Scholars are in a unique position to benefit from studying at a major research university. They gain outstanding intellectual training from challenging classes that cover an amazing diversity of topics, from informal interaction with faculty, and from one-on-one work with faculty who are often leading scholars in the student's field of interest. Their research and independent projects guarantee them a role in the discovery of new knowledge or the creation of new forms of expression.

  Norlin Scholars profit in personal terms too. They enjoy intellectual camaraderie, establishing close and lasting friendships with other students and teachers. They are encouraged to gain a broad perspective through working with organizations off campus and through studying or volunteering abroad. Some of them will enjoy merging their academic interests with community issues.

  Students who take full advantage of what the Norlin community has to offer will be in an unusually strong position when applying for graduate or professional schools, fellowships, or jobs. Being a Norlin Scholar at CU-Boulder helps students to develop their own capacities to the full and prepares them to make a contribution to the world in which they live. CU has a special top scholarship advisor who works with students extensively on individual applications for national and international scholarships of high prestige such as the Truman, Marshall, Rhodes, Goldwater and Gates competitions.

• Does being a Norlin Scholar entail more work?

  Yes, it does. Norlin Scholars have participation requirements and will be further challenged and encouraged to push beyond the usual levels of academic commitment for most CU-Boulder students. In turn, the Norlin Scholars get much more from their undergraduate experience. See Program Requirements for details.

• Is the Norlin application process separate from the CU application process?

  The processes are entirely separate, though you must have applied to CU in order to apply for a Norlin Scholarship.

• Will Norlin Scholars be selected based on financial need?

  No. The principal criteria for selection are evidence of academic commitment and creativity in students who will be most likely to benefit from this program.

• Will I have to reapply for the Norlin Scholarship every year?

  Continuation in the program, once admitted, is contingent upon being a successful student and member of the Norlin community. This means making normal progress toward your degree (i.e. at a pace to graduate in four calendar years, normally), maintaining a grade point average of 3.25 or better, cumulatively, being a full and active participant in the program, and adhering to CU's professional, academic, and personal codes of conduct. (see Program Requirements).

• Are there other programs I should know about and apply to at CU-Boulder?
  
  Yes, we recommend that you apply for the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program. SURE allows incoming students to spend five weeks during the summer before their first semester working in their field with a faculty member. Room and board are free and students are paid a stipend. Go to the SURE website for further information and to apply.

• Can I include additional information in my package? For example, can I include additional essays, letters of recommendation, or information about my school?

  No. Only one letter of recommendation, one essay and the application will be considered in the selection process. Do not send CDs, portfolios, additional letters, photos, transcripts or any materials not requested. They will be eliminated from your application file.

• Can my letter of recommendation arrive separately?
  

  First Year Students: We highly recommend that the letter be included in your packet and that you send your application yourself. Students who rely on their counselors or schools to send in their applications often miss the deadline and there is no recourse. You should therefore leave ample time to get the letter from the letter writer. (See Essay and Letter of Recommendation Guidelines.

  Juniors: Letters of recommendation may be included in the packet if you have it available by the January 15th deadline; however, because the letter of recommendation is not due for juniors until February 1st, they may have to be submitted separately.
  

• What is the Application Deadline?

  First Year Students: Complete applications, including letter of recommendation, must be received--not postmarked--by January 15th.

  Juniors: Complete applications and essays must be received--not postmarked--by January 15th. Letters of recommendation must be received by February 1st.
  
  
• When will I hear if I'm selected as a Norlin Scholar?

  Notification usually occurs by early April. Initial notification will arrive by email so be sure to check it regularly!