Chatham Scholars Program

Are you ambitious? Do you love to learn? Like challenges? Consider applying to join a group of 20 like-minded Chatham Scholars.

The Chatham Scholars program is not your average honors program. At most colleges and universities, an honors program will require you to take many courses over your four years, write a lot of term papers and maybe expose you to a class outside of your major.

At Chatham, we think a Scholars Program should engage you, not just give you more work to accomplish. Your sister Scholars may take a trip to the Andy Warhol Museum and explore how popular art directly influences contemporary culture. Scholars might meet over coffee with this year’s All-Campus Author to discuss interpreting her work in a global context of competing literary traditions. Or go to the gym to figure out how a cardio treadmill really computes calories burned. Dinner tonight may be with President Barazzone and local leaders to discuss regional politics and women’s leadership.

The Chatham Scholars Program is designed as an interdisciplinary challenge, engaging you in and out of the classroom. It requires you to enroll in five courses over three years – three of which are part of your first-year experience – designed as highly focused, challenging, faculty-intensive, scholars’ seminar courses.

 

Scholars Program Curriculum

  • First Year Seminar (counts as required core class)
  • First Year Science (counts as required core class)
  • First Year Dialogues (1-credit Scholars seminar)
  • Sophomore Intellectual Traditions Seminar in the Disciplines (choose one course)
  • Junior Faculty Seminar in the Disciplines (choose one course)

Upon graduation, having completed the five Scholars’ courses and having maintained a 3.0 GPA, your Chatham diploma and transcript will recognize you as a Chatham Scholar.

 
Chatham Scholars

How can I become a Chatham Scholar?

You aren’t necessarily accepted into the Chatham Scholars Program because of high SAT scores or an above average GPA. The Scholars Program is limited to only 20 students per academic class, so we are looking for students who want to be challenged and want to engage us, as well. We are looking for individuals who will contribute to campus culture.

Let your admissions counselor know that you are interested in the Chatham Scholars program and submit a “portfolio” of your work. You portfolio should highlight not just your academic strengths but showcase athletic achievements, creative work, community service, volunteer work, travel - it’s up to you to decide what you think makes you a Chatham Scholar.

 

For more information about the Chatham Scholars Program, please contact Dr. William Lenz at 412-365-1186 or email lenz@chatham.edu. Or, call our Office of Admissions at 800-837-1290 or email admissions@chatham.edu. Take the initiative today.

Chatham Scholars Blog