Each year the college's undergraduate admissions committees name a small group of outstanding applicants as The Pauline and Irving Tanner Dean's Scholars. These scholars are chosen from applicants with demonstrated commitment and enthusiasm for the life of the mind and with outstanding high school records. The program is designed to honor students for their attributes and accomplishments and to attract them to the college. It is also designed to support and guide some of our most promising students in their acculturation to the academic and intellectual life of the college.
The honor confers several benefits. During the first two years, or until admitted to the major, each Dean's Scholar is advised by a college dean (or university provost or president) or by a senior faculty member. Matriculating scholars receive a $300 book award each term during the freshman year. Later, scholars may apply for a grant (up to $2,500) for summer research or some other worthy project undertaken between the junior and senior years. These summer grants are increased for scholars on financial aid in order to compensate for their expected summer's earnings toward their college expenses. The summer grants provide an opportunity to engage in a scholarly project of some depth. Scholars have found this rewarding intellectually and often also a strong beginning to a senior honors project.
The Pauline and Irving Tanner Dean's Scholar Program facilitates informal intellectual discourse outside classes and supports students who take charge of their own education -- both through subsidies of their special projects and through a program of monthly meetings. These meetings include lectures by some of Cornell's eminent faculty members, presentations of student research, and workshops on internships and externships and on preparing for independent research and for applying for prestigious fellowships. With the college's support of additional advising opportunities and funding for special projects, Dean's Scholars have enhanced opportunities to explore and utilize the richness of the Arts and Sciences curriculum.
More Information
To learn more about the Dean's Scholar Program, please contact Clare McMillan.