The following blog post was written by Jenny Hamilton, a senior in the Elliott School of International Affairs and an Elliott Undergraduate Scholar.
Would you like the opportunity to spend winter break in Haiti or Bosnia? Do you want to probe the minds of top US diplomats on the potential for an embassy in Iran? Would you jump at the chance to present original research at a conference in Chicago or on Capitol Hill?
If you answered yes to any of these questions (and are going to be an Elliott junior or senior spending all of next year here in Foggy Bottom), you might be a good candidate for the Elliott Undergraduate Scholars Program.
The Elliott Undergraduate Scholars Program provides extensive support to a small cohort of students pursuing independent, original research every year. Through the program, you will have the opportunity to:
- Work with a faculty adviser and graduate student mentor.
- Receive a $500 research stipend with the opportunity to apply for additional funding
- Learn about research methodology and the writing process from top GW faculty
- Provide and receive intensive peer review of paper drafts
- Present and publish your research through the Elliott School
Participating in the Elliott Undergraduate Scholars Program was one of the best decisions I made during my four years at GW. Through the program, I am studying the impact of popular definitions of democracy on democratic legitimacy using African public survey data – in plain terms, I’m investigating whether citizens’ varying conceptions of democracy affects whether or not they believe it is the best form of government. If democratic consolidation isn’t your cup of tea, that’s okay. This year, scholars are studying topics from Liberian land reform to Chinese cybersecurity threats, from Argentinian waste management to Russian immigration policy. Every week, I learn from them as they unveil amazing discoveries and make substantial contributions to their field of international affairs.
If you are considering the Elliott Undergraduate Scholars Program, a few things to keep in mind:
- Although it counts for your honors thesis, this program is NOT your typical senior thesis. It is a substantial time commitment, so with that being said…
- Make sure to choose a topic you love! If you are passionate about your topic, your year will be amazing. If you are not, it will be miserable.
- Put time into your proposal! If you do not have considerable previous experience with the topic, you will need to take time to do research.
- Make sure you find a faculty advisor with whom you can work well.
The application is due April 13 and has several components, so make sure to start it soon! You can find more information about the application process and the program on the Elliott website here. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at jham93@gwmail.gwu.edu. Best of luck!
