The Holster Scholars Program is a selective enrichment opportunity available only to first-year Honors students. The program supports a small number of motivated students who pursue independent research, design, or creative projects during the summer following their first year. Holster projects are in-depth, individualized learning experiences pursued under the direction of a faculty mentor. Projects are self-designed and must include an academic writing component.
Program Benefits
- Finalists receive permission to join the spring Holster Project Development course.
- Individualized mentoring and guidance from faculty and staff
- Peer support for your intellectual pursuits
- Experience designing, implementing, and presenting your work
- Selected scholars receive up to $4,400 of summer research funding
Project Types
- Scientific and technical research
- Archival research
- Creative arts projects
- Design work and invention
- Field observation and data collection
Eligibility
- Candidates must be freshmen enrolled in the UConn Honors Program
- Only students at the Storrs and Stamford campuses are eligible, and Finalists must be able to attend the spring Proposal Development Seminar (UNIV 1730) in person
- Holster Scholars must maintain “good standing” in the Honors Program
Selection
- Candidates are selected by an interdisciplinary panel of faculty, staff, and administrators
- Finalists are interviewed as part of the selection process
- Criteria for selection are outlined on the application and include a strong written proposal, personal statement, resume, recommendations, and an interview
Timeline:
- Application Workshop and Writing Retreat. November 9, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, in the Buckley Lounge. There will be refreshments and a quiet place to work. A few past Holster Scholars will be available to answer questions and provide support.
- Application Deadline: November 17. The application will include a brief personal statement; a research proposal; additional prompts about what students hope to gain/learn from the experience, a letter from a HS teacher, counselor, or mentor; and a preliminary recommendation from a UConn faculty member.
- Finalists notified early in the Spring semester.
- The Spring semester course for Holster students, UNIV 1730, will meet Thursday afternoons from 3:30-5:30. If you’re selected as a Finalist, you will be auto enrolled in this section in January. The first class will meet the second week of the semester, so don’t worry if you don’t appear on the roster by the first day of class.
- Final proposals are due in the middle of March.
- All Finalists will be interviewed by the selection committee after Spring Break.
- If you are selected as a Holster Scholar, you will implement your research project over the summer months.
- You will present your work at the symposium in the Fall semester of your sophomore year.