How To Apply

Step 1 - Application 

• Apply for admission to DePauw University.  If you have yet to apply, you may submit the general application to the Office of Admission.
• Please respond to ONE of the following prompts in an essay of about 500 words.  Like the Honor Scholar Program itself, these essays address a variety of topics and represent different kinds of opportunities for thought.  The topics may touch on sensitive issues; they may challenge you to think in ways to which you are not accustomed.  Because creativity and analytical ability are part of the essence of our program, we think that you will find these essays both challenging and rewarding to consider and write about.  

Read all the prompts carefully, think about them, and then choose one for your essay. Remember—there are no right answers here—think of this challenge as an opportunity for you to explore interesting issues and build a case for your point of view.  The Honor Scholar Program takes the essays seriously, and we worked hard to generate questions at once diverse and engaging.  Because the Honor Scholar program also takes you and your ideas very seriously—both now and after you arrive—at least two faculty members will carefully read your essay.  Use this opportunity to show us what you can do!

After you have finished, send your essay as a MS Word attachment to awelch@depauw.edu.  Please include your name, address, and telephone number at the top of your essay, and please use double spacing.  Save the attachment as your last name, first name (e.g., Einstein, Albert).

Applications received by February 1, 2012 will receive fullest consideration, although we may continue to accept later applications on a case-by-case basis.

Prompt Option #1:

Neuroscientists argue that our understanding of brain function has advanced to the point that effective “cognition-enhancing” drugs and other techniques (e.g., modifying gene expression in the brain) to “optimize” brain function will soon be available.  Henry Greely, Michael Gazzaniga, and others (2008, Nature, 456, 702-705) argue that this is a good thing.  They say that “we should welcome new methods of improving our brain function” and that “…drugs … along with newer technologies such as brain stimulation and prosthetic brain chips, should be viewed in the same general category as education, good health habits, and information technology...” 

Others fear unforeseen side effects, are concerned about the social implications, and/or are concerned on religious/philosophical grounds.  What do you think?  Build a case for or against the development and use of such “cognition-enhancing” techniques.  Make your position clear, describe the bases for your position, and demonstrate that you are aware of the costs and benefits of your chosen approach.

Prompt Option #2:

Recent research by Jeremy Ginges and colleagues (2009, Psychological Science, 20, 224-230) strongly suggests that beyond the positive social impacts that religious belief and activity may have (e.g., community support, charitable work, etc.), religious behavior (attending religious services, taking part in religious rituals, etc.) is related to a person’s support for “terrorism,” defined as including suicide attacks or killing/dying for a religious cause.  In other words, the more people engaged in religious behaviors, the more strongly they supported such violent acts.  In addition, religious behaviors predicted the tendency to "blame people of other religions for much of the trouble in this world.”  This was true for a variety of religious believers (Muslims, Hindus, Jews, and Christians) across several countries. 

Does all of this surprise you?  What does this information mean?  How could you explain it?  What implications does this have for our understanding of conflicts around the world, including those in which our country is involved?

Prompt Option #3:

"Alas,” said the mouse, “the whole world is growing smaller every day.  At the beginning it was so big that I was afraid, I kept running and running, and I was glad when at last I saw walls far away to the right and left, but these long walls have narrowed so quickly that I am in the last chamber already, and there in the corner stands the trap that I must run into.”  “You only need to change your direction,” said the cat, and ate it up.

Imagine that you are the mouse in this scenario from Kafka’s “A little fable” (c. 1920). You are given a moment’s reprieve to tell the cat what you think of its advice. What do you tell the cat? Why? How do you (the mouse) view the world/life and how do you think the cat’s view compares to yours?

Step 2 - Interview

• If your essay receives a positive review from our faculty committee, you will be invited to campus for a formal interview.
• The result of this interview process then serves as the basis for extending invitations to students to participate in the Honor Scholar Program.

Should you have questions regarding the application process, please feel free to contact Amy Welch at 765-658-6575 or at awelch@depauw.edu.  Thank you!