Welcome to the USC Dornsife Scholars Program
For many years, the University of Southern California has provided special recognition to undergraduates who demonstrate outstanding achievement in important dimensions of undergraduate education. Discovery Scholars are students who excel in the classroom while demonstrating the ability to create exceptional new scholarship or artistic works. The Global Scholars program recognizes undergraduates who have excelled in their studies both at home and abroad. Renaissance Scholars are students whose broad and diverse interests help them excel academically.
To these honors was added a program offering university-wide recognition to outstanding graduating seniors—available only to students whose major course of study is in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Dornsife Scholars are students whose academic achievements underscore the relationship between excellence in the core disciplines of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and the aspiration to have a positive impact on the world. (Eligibility Requirements are listed below.)
Dana and David Dornsife
Dana and David Dornsife are internationally renowned philanthropists with the highest regard for education. Dornsife Scholars will be expected to demonstrate a comparable commitment to educational excellence and the advances that allow for improving the lives of people and addressing pressing global challenges.
Meet our Recent Dornsife Scholar Award Recipients!
Award Eligibility Requirements
The Dornsife Scholar prize is awarded to USC Dornsife students to be used for graduate or professional school studies. The USC Dornsife Scholars program combines the talents sought in the USC Discovery and Global Scholars programs with an added emphasis on positive human impact. Dornsife Scholars will be named in the spring semester of their senior year.
Requirements for consideration by the USC Dornsife Scholars Selection Committee include:
- Applicant must be a graduating senior with a major in Dornsife.
- An overall GPA of 3.5, and a demonstration that the applicant has taken challenging courses in USC Dornsife upper-division major coursework.
- Must meet all of the university’s requirements for an undergraduate degree(s).
- Participation in independent research involving close collaboration with a USC Dornsife faculty member in a laboratory or field project, or engagement in archival or library research.
- Academic study abroad or participation in short-term international internships, research projects, or programs such as Problems Without Passports.
- See also “Award Disbursement Policy“.
Application is Closed
THE 2024 APPLICATION CLOSES MARCH 13, 5:00PM (Pacific Time). Closing date subject to change:
In order to allow for a thorough review of application material, only the first 50 complete applications submitted during this period will be reviewed by the Committee. The application may be closed prior to March 13 if 50 complete applications have been received.
Only complete applications will be reviewed: All documents must be submitted for an application to be considered complete. This includes the Letter of Recommendation. The request for a Letter of Recommendation will be sent to your Recommender after you submit your application. Submitting your application as soon as possible will allow your Recommender time to submit the letter before the deadline or limit is reached.
You will be notified of the status of your application.
MUST INCLUDE:
- Application Form (link below)
- Academic Transcript (STARS Report and Completed Course Summary)
- Sample of your Scholarly Work
- Personal Essay
- Resumé/CV
- Letter of recommendation from a USC Dornsife faculty member who is familiar with this scholarly work. You will input their contact information and they will receive an email request so that they can upload their letter in the application system. Be sure to let them know.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Dornsife Scholar Program Coordinator @ studentrecognition@dornsife.usc.edu. Include “Dornsife Scholar Award” in the subject line.
You will be notified by email if you are selected as an award recipient.
Award Disbursement Policy
- Award funds disbursement can only be requested once an Award recipient’s undergraduate degree has been conferred. This includes Progressive Degree students.
- To request disbursement of the award, you must show evidence of enrollment in a graduate program within 5 years of the completion of your undergraduate degree(s). No exceptions will be given.
- Awards will be disbursed only to support current enrollment in a graduate degree program.
- Award requests for retroactive award disbursement toward a completed graduate degree will be denied.
- Award requests for pre-graduate school preparatory courses or exam fees will be denied.
- Funds will be paid directly to the student’s graduate school institution to be applied to their student account.
- For those attending a USC graduate program, funds will be credited to the award recipient’s USC student account.
- Due to standard processing time, and any unforeseen delays, we cannot guarantee that payment will be received before tuition and fees are due.
See also Instructions for Award Recipients. For further information or to request disbursement, contact the Dornsife Scholar Program Coordinator @ studentrecognition@dornsife.usc.edu. Please include “Dornsife Scholar Award” in the subject line.
Instructions for Award Recipients
If you have been notified that you are an award recipient, please refer to these instructions for claiming your award. (Note: due to standard processing time, and any possible unforeseen delays, we cannot guarantee that payment will be received before your tuition due date.)
Contact
Dornsife Scholars Program
Include “Dornsife Scholar Award” in Subject Line