The STEM Fellows Program sets students up for academic success by surrounding them with a cohort of other strong STEM students to lean on for support and inspiration. All STEM Fellows are co-enrolled with each other in one of their first-year science courses, and take a special science-focused section of our College Colloquium first-year seminar. This allows for high-level collaboration, academic support, and community building within our STEM departments. STEM Fellows also receive one-on-one advising by multiple academic advisors in addition to a career advisor. Students also participate in the STEMinar course, where they learn more about pursuing careers in the STEM fields while actively building their professional network.
Ideal candidates for the STEM Fellows Program have demonstrated financial need (based on the FAFSA/ORSSA) and a passion for, or accomplishments, in STEM areas.
Eligibility
Participants must pursue a major in one of the STEM fields at Willamette (Biology, Chemistry, Exercise and Health Science, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Data Science, Environmental Science, Public Health* or Psychology*) or pursue a Pre-Engineering degree with a major in one of the STEM fields. Students must also have demonstrated financial need as indicated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) and a strong academic record. Students selected for the STEM Fellows Program, will receive up to $10,000 in annual scholarship, which can be stacked on top of any other financial aid you receive from Willamette.
*Students with an interest in majoring in Public Health or Psychology will be considered on a case-by-case basis and should reach out to Alison Fisher, Professor of Chemistry. Students considering majoring in Public Health or Environmental Science are also encouraged to apply for the Heatherington or Dempsey Scholarships, respectively.
To Apply:
- Apply for admission to Willamette University
- Submit the STEM Scholarship application, including:
- Reference Contact Information:
- Provide contact information (first and last name, email address) for a science or math teacher who the scholarship advisors can connect with to ask any follow-up questions inspired by your application.
- A response of 250 words (maximum) to the following:
- Why and how do you think the additional support structure offered by the STEM Fellows Program will help you succeed in your STEM career?
- Reference Contact Information:
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Benefits of the STEM Fellows Program
- Co-enrollment in one first year science course (CHEM 115: General Chemistry I or PHYS 221: Introductory Physics I) with your STEM Fellows cohort.
- Specialized science-focused College Colloquium first year seminar course.
- One-on-one advising by multiple academic advisors and a career advisor.
- STEMinar course that focuses on introducing students to different careers in the STEM fields. We prepare our STEM Fellows to think critically, to carry out independent research, to use cutting-edge instrumentation, and to communicate with a variety of audiences in both written and oral formats.
- Additional opportunities to participate in faculty-mentored research as early as the second year through independent study, research courses, and paid summer research experiences (Science Collaborative Research Program). STEM Fellows also receive extra support when applying for external competitive funding.
- Academic support from other STEM Fellows. After their first year, students seeking even more leadership and professional development opportunities often work as tutors, mentors, or Teaching Assistants in the courses affiliated with the STEM Fellows Program.
- An immediate sense of community, thanks to our residential living-learning program. All STEM Fellows will be housed in the same residence hall during their first year to bring peer-to-peer academic and social support directly into their living spaces.