Prospective Fifth Year Scholars
Interested in becoming a Fifth Year Scholar? The scholarship program seeks applicants who demonstrate:
- exceptional intellectual or artistic performance and promise,
- past and proposed metacurricular involvement,
- the student’s academic plans and community impact proposal.
As the fifth year provides an exceptional opportunity for both the scholar and CMU, applicants should describe in detail the potential impact of the fifth year on their lives and the campus community.
Application Process & Eligibility
The application process includes application review and at least one round of interviews for select candidates. Through this process, candidates will be given the opportunity to describe the impact Carnegie Mellon has had on their lives, as well as their plans for contributing to CMU, through an academic and community impact proposal.
Any student in their penultimate year of normal study (typically the third year) is eligible to apply. Students will need to be on track to complete their degree requirements in the normal timeline.
Students with dual-degree or double majors are invited to apply.
Selection Process
Applications are due at the end of the fall of the penultimate year of study. Candidates will be asked to submit a written personal statement concerning their qualifications for the Fifth Year Scholar program. Personal interviews will be conducted for finalists. The selection committee includes students, associate deans, and staff. Decisions are announced in late April.
Candidate Proposals
Each candidate will develop plans for the fifth year that will encompass their academic and professional goals and a detailed proposal for a significant contribution to the campus and/or Pittsburgh community. As community contribution is an integral program component, scholars are anticipated to study in Pittsburgh during their fifth year. Proposals which involve studying abroad or leaving the Pittsburgh vicinity for the fifth year are considered on an individual basis.
Specifics of Community Impact Proposals
This proposal should reflect the student’s perception of a compelling area of need or intriguing project that allows the scholar to pursue their interests. This project will be a great opportunity for a campus-wide initiative or a program specific to the student’s college, and may encompass a research project, community involvement/service project, personal development activities, etc.
Plan and Project Implementation Following Scholar Selection
Being accepted to the Fifth Year Scholars program does not guarantee implementation of a student’s academic plan or community involvement proposal. Rather, it is the student’s responsibility to assess the feasibility of their plans in consultation with the associate dean in their college or the coordinator of student academic services and personnel relevant to the success, feasibility and implementation of their proposals. Additionally, candidates accepted into the program will, by completing the “Checklist for Potential Fifth Year Scholars,” determine the feasibility of their plans and proposal prior to officially accepting the scholarship offer.
Academic Considerations
Academic advising and support for the scholars will be handled by the associate dean of the respective college or by a designated departmental administrator as appropriate. As students are required to complete their degree requirements in the normal period of time, this advising is not expected to involve considerable adjustments in sequencing of courses or other expectations to normal graduation requirements. Instead, scholars will have support in registration for courses (which will not supersede or interfere with the priority of other students within their departments). Scholars may not pursue a graduate degree during the fifth year. Prior to formally accepting the scholarship offer, students will complete a checklist which includes reviewing their proposed academic schedule with their advisor, making arrangements with the department for access to specific courses, and articulating their community involvement activities.
As class designation, scholars will be listed as fifth year seniors and will continue to receive mailings sent to seniors - i.e., commencement information and registration materials. For alumni purposes, the scholars will be listed with the class they choose - the class they would have graduated with or their fifth year class.
Scholars have three options regarding Commencement:
- graduate with their four-year program and not receive their diploma until the completion of the fifth year.
- graduate with their four-year program and receive their diplomas at the conclusion of the regular period of study.
- graduate at the end of the fifth year.
If choosing to receive degree certification at the end of the fifth year, a Fifth Year Scholar may work on completing an additional minor or improving his or her QPA during the fifth year.
If choosing to receive degree certification at the end of the fourth year (or fifth year for architecture), the scholar's cumulative QPA ends at that time. Grades and QPA for the fifth year will be listed on the transcript, separate from the scholar’s previous four (or five) years of study.
Honors for senior research or thesis projects will be conferred at the end of the normal period of study. Commencement honors, such as university and college honors, will be conferred in the year in which the scholar receives their diploma.
Non-Academic Considerations
The administration of the program (including the selection process) will be handled through the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs.
As Fifth Year Scholars are exemplary students who are active in the campus community and because the scholarship provides them with a unique opportunity for study and exploration, it is expected that scholars will impact the university through activities or a project designed to benefit the campus community. Candidates are strongly encouraged to articulate a project, program or series of activities of use or compelling interest to fellow students and campus community members.
Scholars are required to uphold community or academic integrity standards of the university.
An evaluation of the Fifth Year Scholars program will be conducted every other year with administrative support from the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs. The evaluation will include assessments by academic and non-academic administrators and staff, faculty, and students (scholars and non-scholars). The evaluation will be used in making enhancement in the administration of the program.
Scholars have access to all university student services.
Each year's scholars group will be established as an informal, unrecognized student organization that will include the scholars in the actual program and those selected but still completing their final year of regular study. This group will be expected to conduct some activities of an educational or developmental nature for their fellow students and other members of the community, including active participation in recruitment and selection of the next class of scholars. (Activities could include a series of lectures or cultural events).
Financial Considerations
It is expected that scholars will satisfy all of their student financial obligations prior to entering the program. If a scholar has an outstanding student account balance prior to entering their fifth year, they will continue to adhere to the Student Financial Obligation Terms and may be subject to interest charges and/or be placed on a financial hold.
There is no tuition for the Fifth Year Scholars program. Mandatory fees will be assessed according to the scholar’s registration. Scholars will receive financial support to offset any mandatory fees assessed to the student account.
Although scholars are considered full-time students during the fifth year regardless of date of certification, they may enter repayment on their student loans as all graduation requirements for their primary degree are complete. Scholars can also request a loan forbearance which allows them to stop making payments or reduce payments for up to 12 months while they are enrolled. In some instances, scholars may be eligible for a loan deferment. Scholars will not be eligible for financial assistance or work-study positions on campus, although special arrangements might be possible with individual employers or departments.
Scholars will receive $7,000 per student for living expenses. These funds will be distributed to the scholar in two equal installments of $3,500 at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters of their fifth year.
Course materials and other costs not covered by regular tuition and fees (for example, books, music studio courses for non-majors, design studio fees, course fees for Pittsburgh Filmmakers, laboratory fees, etc.) are not explicitly covered through the scholarship and are the responsibility of the scholar. Prior to accepting the scholarship, candidates will complete a checklist and will have the opportunity to formally request in writing additional support from the scholarship fund to cover additional expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum QPA requirement for a Fifth Year Scholar?
While there is no QPA requirement, it is primarily an academic scholarship and strong evidence of academic rigor and intellectual curiosity are essential.
Can I use the Fifth Year Scholars Program to fulfill medical/law/graduate school requirements?
While this may be possible, granting a fifth year for the sole purpose of fulfilling these requirements is not the intent of this program. One of the characteristics evaluated for each applicant is the desire for learning and intellectually broadening one’s perspective and often fulfilling professional school requirements does not fall into these categories.
If I am accepted as a Scholar, is my project set in stone? Can my project be changed if I work on developing it during my fourth year in order to implement the project during my fifth year?
Frequently, scholars alter projects in order to improve final outcomes. Projects often evolve considerably during the fourth year and can differ from the original proposal.
When do Fifth Year Scholars graduate?
Scholars may choose to graduate at the end of either their fourth or fifth year. If a scholar wishes to complete an additional major during the fifth year, then they must wait to graduate until the end of the fifth year.
When will I get the results of my application?
The selection process is usually completed by mid-April, and every attempt will be made to contact you before fall registration day.
What happens once I'm selected?
Once selected, you will be invited to participate in the Fifth Year Scholars banquet at the end of your junior year. By September of your senior year, you should have read all of the information on this webpage and met with your advisor regarding the implementation of your proposal. By early October, you should have filled out and submitted the Fifth Year Scholars checklist.