James O. Freedman Presidential Scholars

The James O. Freedman Presidential Scholars Program was initiated under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences in 1988 to encourage and facilitate the attainment of intellectual and artistic excellence among Dartmouth undergraduates. In 2007 the program was renamed in honor of James O. Freedman who was President of Dartmouth College from 1987 through 1998. The James O. Freedman Presidential Scholar Research Assistantships offer students the opportunity to serve as research assistants to individual members of the faculty. This venture in student-faculty collaboration introduces third-year students to approaches and methods of research that may prove useful in their own future scholarship. By working closely on a project with individual faculty mentors, juniors receive apprenticeship training in research that may facilitate pursuit of an honors thesis or Senior Fellowship.

The assistantships are two terms in length and must be completed during the junior year. The two terms can be sequential or may be split by mutual agreement of the student and directing faculty member. Assistantships must be completed during R (residence) terms when both the student and faculty are on campus. It is expected that students devote the equivalent time and effort to the research as they would to an academic class (approximately 10 hours a week throughout the academic term). Students receive a stipend at the end of each research term but may opt to receive one course credit for the second term of the research assistantship in lieu of the stipend if this is deemed appropriate by the directing faculty member (subject to department criteria). Students pursuing this option must register for Independent Study credit through the faculty mentor’s department/program and the Registrar prior to the start of the term. Assistantships for which Independent Study credit is to be granted will involve a greater time commitment and intellectual engagement than non-credit assistantships. Students who do not elect or qualify for this option will receive a stipend for the second term of the assistantship. Students may not receive both stipend and credit for the same research.

Upon completion of two terms of research and submission of all required documentation, the student’s transcript will carry the notation James O. Freedman Presidential Scholar Research Assistant. To be designated a James O. Freedman Presidential Scholar at Commencement, students must successfully complete the honors program in their major department/program or receive honors for the project for which they were appointed a Senior Fellow.

Eligible students are notified in winter term of their sophomore year. To be eligible, students must have attained a grade point average at the end of the fall term that places them in the top 40% of their class. Students interested in the program are responsible for contacting potential faculty mentors and arranging interviews. If a student and faculty mentor agree on a project, students submit an online application and faculty endorse the application. Final decisions are made by the Office of Undergraduate Research. If the number of students applying for the program exceeds the number of Presidential Scholar stipends available, acceptance to the program will be made on the basis of academic standing and the relevance of the assistantship to the student’s course of study.

Students may obtain further information in the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Research.