Chellgren Fellows Program
In order to cultivate extraordinary academic achievement, the Chellgren Fellows Program is designed to provide outstanding sophomores with experiences that go beyond classroom instruction, for example, participation in undergraduate research, education abroad, living-learning communities, and service learning. We are especially interested in helping high-achieving undergraduates attain levels of accomplishment that will enable them to compete successfully for prestigious awards – such as the Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, and Jack Kent Cooke Scholarships – and enrollment in excellence graduate and professional programs.
The goal of the Fellows Program is to create a learning community consisting of collaborative interactions among students, faculty, and staff affiliated with the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence. The two cornerstones of the Program are a faculty mentoring component and a three-credit course on effective methodologies and strategies for engaging in scholarly pursuits, research, and other creative activities.
Outstanding faculty from across campus will serve as individual mentors for the Student Fellows. The mentorship process is intended to stimulate high intellectual aspirations, help students develop strategies for engaging in the intellectual life of the University, cultivate a deeper and broader commitment to academic excellence, and prepare students to compete successfully for prestigious external scholarships and awards.
The course, DSP 200, has two prerequisites: first, students enrolling in it must be Chellgren Fellows; and second, they must be engaged actively in a scholarly pursuit (outside of their regular class assignments) under the mentorship of a UK faculty member. We will work with each Fellow to arrange for a faculty mentor for the scholarly project.
Finally, Chellgren Fellows benefit from a variety of extracurricular events that are designed to broaden their cultural and intellectual horizons, from field trips to plays and museums to informal book discussions and current-events programs.
Selection Process and Timeline
Fellows are accepted through a competitive application process. Students will be eligible to apply to the program after their first semester at UK. Applicants should have a 3.75 GPA or above.
A committee of faculty will evaluate and select Fellows based on the following criteria:
- Academic credentials and extracurricular activities from junior year in high school.
- Academic performance at UK (GPA, course selections, extracurricular activities).
- Essays completed as part of the application.
- Letter of recommendation.
Applications are due February 29, 2008.
The selection committee will invite selected applicants to interview in early March. Invitations to interview will be sent by email. The committee will inform applicants of its decision by letter (sent to your campus or local address) by the first of April 2008.
How to Apply
- Download and fill out the application form (PDF). Then email it to chellgrencenter@email.uky.edu.
- If you have attended any other colleges or universities, you should have official transcripts sent directly to the Chellgren Undergraduate Fellows Selection Committee, 224 Funkhouser Building, Lexington, KY 40506-0054
- Download and fill out the Request for Letter of Recommendation and Waiver Form (PDF). Give or send this form to your recommender, and ask him or her to return it along with the letter to the Chellgren Undergraduate Fellows Selection Committee either by email to chellgrencenter@email.uky.edu or by mail to the Chellgren Center Fellows Selection Committee, 224 Funkhouser Bldg, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0054. (back to top)
A Few FAQs
What are the benefits of being selected as a Chellgren Undergraduate Fellow? Do I receive a monetary award?
While there is no monetary award attached to the Chellgren Fellowship, the benefits of becoming a fellow are many! Fellows are mentored by outstanding UK faculty members. With the help of the mentor, each fellow works to design a unique research project. The staff of the Chellgren Center will also provide valuable advice to help prepare Fellows for external scholarship competitions, graduate school, and career opportunities. Because Fellows are also advised by the faculty and staff of UK's best undergraduate education programs, they are highly likely to be aware of and prepared to engage in university and community life. The Chellgren community as a whole fosters high academic aspiration and a sense of global citizenship, and fellows may be expected to thrive in this atmosphere.(back to top)
If selected, how much time will I be expected to commit to the Chellgren Undergraduate Fellows program?
Mentors and other faculty and staff affiliated with the Chellgren Center will develop an annual schedule of programs for the Fellows. Expect to attend one intensive orientation/retreat, monthly meetings with Chellgren Center staff and other Fellows, additional, regular meetings with your mentor (set according to your individual schedules), and some time on creating your service learning project. The times and nature of Chellgren Fellows' meetings will vary; some may be academic or career-oriented workshops, whereas others may include social activities - for example, a meeting with your mentor over lunch, a dinner party for a small group of Fellows, or a field trip to a museum. Events and meetings for Chellgren Undergraduate Fellows are carefully designed to enrich your educational experience, and therefore, attendance is mandatory. (back to top)
If selected, how much time will I be expected to commit to the Chellgren Undergraduate Fellows program?
In addition to the three-credit fall seminar, to which you should be prepared to devote an average of at least ten hours per week during the fall semester, you should expect to meet regularly with your faculty mentor. There will also be a number of evening meetings that you will be expected to do your best to attend, both in the fall and in the spring semesters. Some will be academic or career-oriented workshops, whereas others may include social activities - for example, a meeting with your mentor over lunch, a dinner party for a small group of Fellows, or a field trip to a museum. Events and meetings for Chellgren Undergraduate Fellows are carefully designed to enrich your educational experience, and therefore, attendance is mandatory. (back to top)
How much time will Chellgren Faculty Mentors be expected to commit to the program? What resources are available to mentors?
Each spring there will be an orientation meeting for mentors and newly selected Undergraduate Fellows. During the academic year, mentors should expect to meet with Fellows regularly according to a schedule devised by the mentor and mentee. These meetings might be scheduled over coffee, lunch, or dinner, during office hours, or at other times that are convenient for the mentor and mentee. Mentors are encouraged to invite their mentees to meetings or events that may serve in their academic development (e.g., lab meetings, conference sessions) and to join Fellows during Chellgren-sponsored events (e.g., lectures, field trips). Affiliated members of the Chellgren community serve as collegial resources for mentors and their mentees. (back to top)
Whom should I ask to write a letter of recommendation for me? What should I know about asking for a letter of recommendation?
Each spring there will be an orientation meeting for mentors and newly selected Undergraduate Fellows. During the academic year, mentors should expect to meet with Fellows regularly according to a schedule devised by the mentor and mentee. These meetings might be scheduled over coffee, lunch, or dinner, during office hours, or at other times that are convenient for the mentor and mentee. Mentors are encouraged to invite their mentees to meetings or events that may serve in their academic development (e.g., lab meetings, conference sessions) and to join Fellows during Chellgren-sponsored events (e.g., lectures, field trips). Affiliated members of the Chellgren community serve as collegial resources for mentors and their mentees. (back to top)
Other Questions?
Please contact chellgrencenter@email.uky.edu.
Current Chellos
- Taylor Amerman
- Benjamin Barnes
- James Chapman
- Sudipa Chowdhury
- James Dimayuga
- Jason Grant
- Hadley Hurst
- Eseosa Ighodaro
- Rachel Keller
- Nazeeha Jawahir
- Christine Kuchle
- Dylan Murphy
- Adrienne Pfendt
- Shannon Smith
- Jennifer Strange
- Stephanie Straub
- Michelle Tomiatti
- Kenisha Webb