Communication Century Scholar FAQs

1. How did I get into the Century Scholars' Program?
2. How do I find out who else in the School of Communication (SoC) is a Century Scholar?
3. How many Scholars are there?
4. What's the purpose of the Century Scholars program?
5. Why should I come to Scholars' events?
6. Why is it a good idea to meet other Scholars?
7. I'm a first year student. How is the Century Scholars program relevant to me?
8. I can't come to one of the Scholars' scheduled events. Is that a problem?
9. Can being a Century Scholar give me any enrollment advantages?
10. Can I get any additional financial aid because I'm a Century Scholar?
11. Should I apply for an Undergraduate Research Grant?
12. Can I get an off-campus internship through the Century Scholars program?
13. I have friends who are students in SoC and are very interested in the opportunities that the Scholars program offers. Are there ways for them to get access to those opportunities, even though they are not Scholars?

1. How did I get into the Century Scholars' Program?

There are two ways in: some Scholars are identified when they enter the School of Communication at Northwestern based upon their outstanding records in high school, others are nominated by their NU professors because of outstanding performance in their university classes. Outstanding performance connotes not only high test scores, but also the intellectual and creative spark that leads Scholars to contribute effectively to class discussions and show other forms of leadership in the classroom, the laboratory or field research site, or the performance stage. Being a Scholar marks you as someone with broad intellectual and creative interests, someone who is oriented not only to what's going on this week but also where you want to be in ten years. However, being named as a Communication Century Scholar will have little meaning if unaccompanied by other achievements during your university career.

2. How do I find out who else in the School of Communication (SoC) is a Communication Century Scholar?

The best way is by coming to events. If you really want to know who is in the program from your class or your major, contact Jane Rankin.

3. How many Scholars are there?

Currently there are a little over a hundred scholars from all five Communication majors, but new nominations come in from faculty each quarter.

4. What's the purpose of the Century Scholars program?

The Scholars program supports you in pursuing exceptional research and creative activities, makes you aware of doctoral or professional study options, and provides opportunities for you to learn about the research and creative activities of School of Communication faculty. We also work with the staff of two campus programs: The Undergraduate Research Grant program and the Office of Fellowships. Fellowships staff assist you in applying for prestigious and highly competitive fellowships (e.g., Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, and Gates Cambridge Scholarships) for study after graduation. Thus, the Century Scholars program provides near-term opportunities and glimpses of possible futures for you in graduate study, research, performance, teaching, and other vocations.

5. Why should I come to Scholars' events?

Through the Scholars' program you can meet School of Communication faculty outside the classroom and find potential mentors for research and creative projects. You can have a hand in charting your own intellectual/creative path apart from your classes by learning about undergraduate research grants, study abroad opportunities, and internships. You can also find out how to make yourself a competitive candidate for fellowships mentioned above. And at Scholars' events you can network with other Scholars, who can be valuable collaborators on projects.

6. Why is it a good idea to meet other Scholars?

The main reason is that they are great people: friendly, interesting, funny, and as serious about what they do as you are. Also for many of the projects that you will undertake, you'll need collaborators. As one Scholar remarked, if a person is in the Scholars' program, that's a good sign that they can be counted upon to take their responsibilities on your project seriously. Sometimes close friendships emerge from the Scholars program, and some Scholars have even chosen to room with each other.

7. I'm a first year student. How is the Century Scholars program relevant to me?

The earlier you begin thinking about possibilities for research and creative activities, study abroad and internships, the more opportunities that you'll have. Scholars have won undergraduate research grants as early as their first year at Northwestern, and gone on to study abroad, complete internships, and devote summers to performance projects. An early start in exploring opportunities is beneficial and guidance available through the program can help. Many professors prefer working on research or production projects with students who can commit some time across several quarters. They are particularly interested in well-qualified first year students and sophomores for these types of mentored experiences and membership in the Century Scholars program signals that you are a top student. It's also an advantage to meet faculty through the Scholars program before you take classes from them or ask if they'd be willing to supervise an independent study. And it's one more way to meet interesting people when you are new to campus.

8. I can't come to one of the Scholars' scheduled events. Is that a problem?

No, it's not a problem, and we don't expect any Scholar to attend every event. Even so, if you don't come to events, you miss some of the major benefits of the program. And when we are buying theatre tickets or arranging for a catered meal, it is important that if you tell us you are coming you then actually show up. That way we avoid having the School charged for empty theatre seats or for meals that don't get eaten. It's not green to be a no-show.

9. Can being a Century Scholar give me any enrollment advantages?

It doesn't entitle you to register early and it doesn't get you into closed classes. If a class is closed, the only person who can give you permission to add the course is the instructor.

10. Can I get any additional financial aid because I'm a Century Scholar?

You don't receive additional aid by virtue of having been named a Century Scholar. Information about scholarships and fellowships is distributed through the program, but more extensive lists are maintained by the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid and the Office of Fellowships.

11. Should I apply for an Undergraduate Research Grant?

Think about it seriously, talk with your advisor to see whether it might be right for you, and don't wait until your junior year to apply. And don't assume that if you are majoring in Theatre, Performance Studies, or Radio/TV/Film that your project won't be funded. For Scholars contemplating graduate study at some point in their future, working with a faculty member on a research or creative project often leads to invaluable experience in your chosen field and more persuasive letters of recommendation. That's because the letters are likely to reflect direct contact with you and close observation of your research or creative skills. We partner with the Undergraduate Research Grants program by providing additional grants from SoC for mentored undergraduate research and creative projects. Learn more about the SoC program [pdf].

One of the purposes of the program is to help insure that Scholars take advantage of grant opportunities.

12. Can I get an off-campus internship through the Century Scholars program?

The Scholars program doesn't maintain a separate database of internships apart from the new SoConnect, which provides 700+ possible internship sites.

Kate Neal, SoC EPICS director, comes to talk with Scholars about internships each year and is available for individual consultations should they be required.

13. I have friends who are students in SoC and are interested in the opportunities that the Scholars program offers. Are there ways for them to get access to those opportunities, even though they are not Scholars?

All students are welcome at the Van Zelst lecture, the Pepper lecture, the Hope Abelson Visiting Artist performance and other public events that the School of Communication sponsors. All students can apply for undergraduate research grants and use the services of the Office of Fellowships to pursue post-graduate opportunities. Some events are for Scholars only, limited by our budget and our intention to foster small group discussion and collaborative relationships.