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Home / Scholar Groups / Inquiry Scholars

Inquiry Scholars

Got QuestionsAn upper-level Honors Program focusing on research or creative inquiry within your major

Why become an Inquiry Scholar?

Craft an education plan to purposefully explore a topic, question or project through a major research or creative inquiry project.  Squarely in charge of your learning, the Inquiry Scholar Honors Program enables you to follow a passion, explore across disciplines, develop expertise in a specific topic, and develop meta-learning skills as you consider how you learn best.

Strengthen your writing and research skills, while increasing your understanding of research.  In the process, you will foster relationships with faculty members and impress future employers and graduate schools.

  • curious, highly motivated self-starters, interested in crafting a unique education
  • 3.5 GPA and at least 3 remaining semesters (recommended to join Sophomore year or before)
  • Meet with the Inquiry Scholars Advisor to discuss the program
  • Applicants may also currently be in any of the other Honors Programs

Course Requirements

Inquiry Scholars create a rigorous academic plan, identifying relevant courses in each of three areas:

  • Discovery learning (exposure to research)
  • Scholarly Inquiry preparation (methods and theory courses)
  • Research and Creative Inquiry Experience (capstone project such as thesis, Independent Study and/or major capstone)

Co-Curricular Requirements

Inquiry Scholars create a slate of enrichment activities as part of their Inquiry Scholar education plan and:

  • Complete enrichment activities each semester, such as attending lectures, conferences, exhibits, working as a research assistant, or volunteering at the research expo
  • Scholarly Inquiry preparation (methods and theory training, e.g., library workshops, writing center workshops, conferences and lectures.)
  • Present at the Research & Creative Inquiry Expo (held annually each May)
  • Optional: create a digital portfolio.  See a portfolio template.

You might also want to compare this to the Provost Scholars program.

1. Meet with the Inquiry Scholars Advisor to discuss your application

2. complete an application (Part 1), which includes essays and a resume. Begin drafting your Inquiry Scholar Educational Plan (Part 2).

3. Email [email protected] to inquire about next steps.

Note that students should also be prepared to submit a recommendation letter from a faculty member and have them approve their plan, if requested.

SPRING 2025 Info Session
Tuesday, March 25th from 5:30-6:30PM

Location: NVC 3-130

Virtual Info Session: Available here

Slideshow with hyperlinks: Available here

 Thesis Information Session: Available here

Recommended reading

What the Best College Students Do, especially Ch 8 (available online from Newman Library, on how to choose faculty, engage with course material, etc.)

Sample Inquiry Scholar portfolio

  • Danielle James

137 E. 25th Street, Rm 306 New York, NY 10010-5585 [email protected]

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