Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Selection
Who should apply to be a STEM Scholar?
Students who are curious, hard-working and passionate about STEM. Students should be seeking science, engineering or math degrees and professions. We know that not everyone has the same path, but we want to help you succeed in STEM education and careers. Student cohorts create and value a community of peers and participate in the STEM learning community, building relationships with faculty and each other.
What are eligibility requirements for this program?
Students must be accepted to Whitworth, complete the FAFSA and be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant. Students must have a science, engineering, math or interdisciplinary science major. The health science major does not qualify. Scholars must be U.S. citizens or lawful aliens.
Which degrees are eligible?
Eligible degrees:
- Applied mathematics (data science or general tracks)
- Bioinformatics
- Computer science
- Human-computer interaction
- Mathematics
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Physical chemistry
- Environmental science
- Biology
- Applied physics
- Biophysics
- Engineering
- Engineering: Dual degree
- Physics
Note: The health science major does not qualify.
What happens if I change my major?
While all students may change their major while at Whitworth, STEM Scholars must continue in an eligible major in order to stay in the program and maintain their scholarship. Students may change to another eligible major from the list above and continue as STEM Scholars, but students moving to a non-eligible major will no longer be able to continue as STEM Scholars.
Programming
Are STEM Scholars required to live on campus?
As living on campus is correlated with student success, scholars are encouraged to live on campus, especially in their first year. Living on campus also facilitates a higher degree of meaningful interaction and community between science scholars, faculty and the larger Whitworth student body.
What coursework is required?
There is no specific coursework for a STEM Scholar. Each scholar will be pursuing the degree requirements of Whitworth and their discipline. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the paid, individualized math and science training two weeks before classes, as well as pre-orientation the week before classes. We have found that this experience helps students hit the ground running in STEM courses and leads to greater success. The STEM Scholars will take the required SC 101 (Introduction to the Flourishing Life) course as a cohort with other members of the science learning community.
What is the math and science primer and pre-orientation?
As part of the welcome packet for new scholars, students complete a questionnaire and a mathematics diagnostic assessment. An individualized student success plan is then developed by the Whitworth faculty. Students have an opportunity to come to campus early for the math and science primer. Ten days before classes start, students come to campus and engage in individualized instruction in math, participate in science-related group activities and build community. In addition, there will be optional peer-led social events. Students will also gain skills in college navigation and resilience in STEM. Students will earn a $400 stipend for attending the math and science primer and pre-orientation. We have found that this experience helps students hit the ground running in STEM courses and leads to greater success.
What if I cannot come to campus for the primer and pre-orientation?
We strongly encourage you to arrange your schedule to come to campus ten days early for the primer and pre-orientation. The experience is important for getting set up for success and may even make your path to graduation shorter. However, your scholarship is not contingent on participating in the primer and pre-orientation.