Admission to the Program

This page is intended for high school students graduating in May, 2010. If you are a first year DePauw student interested in lateral entry, please contact the SRF office on campus for separate application deadlines and procedures.

The Science Research Fellows Program at DePauw is a selective Honors Program. The program is designed to attract outstanding students who are interested in science and undergraduate, collaborative science research with professors. The SRF program is designed specifically for the student who will choose to major in one of the sciences (Biology, Chemistry/Biochemistry, Computer Science, Geosciences, Kinesiology, Mathematics, Physics/Astronomy, Psychology) offered at DePauw.

How do I Apply to the SRF Program? Deadline Feb 1

Step 1:

Submit a general Application for Admission to DePauw University.

Step 2:

Electronically submit to the SRF Program your (1-2 pg) Personal Statement of Interest. This is an essay that explains why you are interested in our program. Answer in a thoughtful and well-written essay. Answers to questions such as those listed below are appropriate for this essay. Put your name at the top of all pages of your essay.

  • Why do you like science?
  • Why are you interested in being a science major in college?
  • What interests you specifically about the Science Research Fellows program?
  • What strengths would you bring to the program?
  • What are your goals during and beyond college?

Email your Interest Statement to scifellows@depauw.edu Make sure to use the subject line of your email as: "SRF Interest Statement from (insert your name here)"

Step 3:

Electronically submit to the SRF Program (approx. 2 pgs) your choice of one of the two essays below. Put your name at the top of all pages of your essay.

Identify a scientific problem that interests you.  State the problem, describe its significance, and outline a
scientific approach to solving it. Describe the methods* you plan to use and the reasons for choosing those methods. Finally, discuss possible outcomes of your proposal. (Helpful hints: Keep your focus narrow. Think through the scientific process.)

  *Methods you might consider, depending on the discipline or project chosen, include laboratory or field-based experiments, mathematical investigations or computer programming strategies.

Summarize a recently published article that describes a scientific experiment and finding. This article does not have to be a highly technical scientific journal article, but rather, can be derived from sources such as the New York Times science section, Discover magazine or Scientific American. Interpret and summarize the point and methods behind the story, and explain why you picked this particular article. Postulate a reasonable next step for the project that is not discussed in the article and provide a rationale for why you chose that step. Make sure to cite the article--in fact, please send a LINK to the article too. (Note: Think broadly about science--mathematical investigations, computer programming strategies, laboratory and field based science is acceptable.)

Email your Essay to scifellows@depauw.edu Make sure to use the subject line of your email as: "SRF Essay from (insert your name here)"

IMPORTANT: We will reply via email within two days to confirm that your application materials have been received. Never assume that the email arrived unless you receive confirmation. Technology doesn't always work and we will not know if your application did not arrive. If you haven't heard back within two days of sending your application, assume that there was an error receiving your email and please give us a call at 765-658-5090 to check on the status of your materials.