Nomination Guidelines for Schools & Colleges

Schools and colleges may nominate a minimum of two candidates and a maximum of one graduating senior student per 100 graduates. The number of graduates will be based on the number of actual graduates, averaged over the previous five years. Dually enrolled students will be “counted” in both colleges of matriculation. Schools and colleges will be informed of the number of nominations available on or around mid-October each year.

Schools and colleges should conduct their own internal nomination processes. Best practices include:

• Screening for high academic achievement, as indicated by an outstanding GPA
• Seeking strong endorsements by faculty, attesting to the student’s accomplishment in a disciplinary field
• Screening for students involved in independent research or creative endeavor in a disciplinary field

Schools and colleges should consider academic achievements in light of extramural factors specific to each student's academic journey (i.e. the imperative to work while attending school, necessity of assuming caregiver responsibilities while attending, other similar barriers) that may have disadvantaged nontraditional/post-traditional students otherwise deserving of consideration. While academic achievement and excellence are the principal criteria for this award, community engagement may be considered, especially in cases where those activities are relevant to or an outgrowth of the student's academic pursuits.

The University Scholars should reflect Syracuse's commitment to fostering a campus community that welcomes students with multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures and belief systems.

Students may be nominated by only one school or college. In the case of dually enrolled students, it is the responsibility of the schools and colleges to discuss with each other, and with the student, which unit will submit the nomination. The students' application should include representations of their work in both colleges in order to provide a comprehensive picture of their academic achievements.

Schools, Colleges, and the student nominees must submit completed application forms no later than the first Friday of classes in the spring term. Information on how to access these forms will be provided directly to the School and College contacts. 

Additional Information or questions regarding the university-wide selection process for Syracuse University Scholars can be directed to the chair of the selection committee or to Jolynn Parker (jmpark02@syr.edu or 315-443-2091).