Frequently Asked Questions
What is the James O. Freedman Presidential Scholar
program?
The program enlists faculty and researchers to mentor juniors through
part-time, paid research assistantships. The program provides
opportunities for students to experience research first-hand and is intended to
prepare students for undertaking senior honors theses.
Who is eligible to be a James O. Freedman Presidential
Scholar?
Students who have attained a GPA in the top 40% of the class at the end of
fall term of sophomore year are eligible for the program. Eligible
students are notified winter term of sophomore year.
What does a James O. Freedman Presidential Scholar do?
Scholars serve two terms during their junior year as research assistants to
Dartmouth faculty members. Scholars are expected to work 7-12 hours per
week during each of those two terms. The two terms of
the assistantship must be conducted during students’ “ON” terms, unless there
are extenuating circumstances and approval is given by both the professor and
the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Research.
What kind of work is involved in the assistantship?
It is expected that James O. Freedman Presidential Scholars will assist
faculty in their research. Students participating in this program are not
expected to generate their own independent research projects. The nature
of the work and the skills required will vary depending on the project, and
faculty mentors should be clear about their expectations prior to the start of
the assistantship. The faculty mentor and student should set up a work
schedule at the beginning of the term, and this schedule should include weekly
or biweekly meetings between the student and advisor.
How do I find a faculty member to work with?
Faculty are invited to list projects on an on-line database which is
activated in February. Students can search the database for projects of
interest to them. Contact the professor(s) with whom you are interested
in working to discuss their project, expectations and interview process.
You may contact as many professors as you like, but you may only apply to work
with ONE.
What if the professor I want to work with does not have a project
listed in the database?
You may serve as a James O. Freedman Presidential Scholar to a professor who
did not list a project in the database, provided they agree to take you on as a
research assistant. A project title and description must be provided to
the Undergraduate Research Office on the student’s application form. No
other special permission is needed to work with a professor who did not list a
project in the on-line database.
What is the interview process?
Interviews are conducted by the faculty at their discretion. Faculty
will not necessarily interview all interested students. The Office of
Undergraduate Advising and Research does not coordinate or facilitate the
interviews. You should contact the faculty whose projects sound
interesting and set up interviews. If you will be off campus during the
winter term, you should consider contacting faculty about James O. Freedman
Presidential Scholar assistantships via phone or email during winter term
rather than waiting until you return to campus in the spring. Faculty are
asked to wait until spring term to select a Scholar so that all interested
students have the opportunity to interview for the assistantship, but some
faculty do opt to select a Scholar during the winter term.
What if my James O. Freedman Presidential Scholar advisor is not in
my major department?
You may conduct an assistantship with a faculty member who is not in you
major department, provided the project is academically relevant to your course
of study. If you choose a faculty mentor who is not in your major
department, however, you will not be able to do a senior honors thesis with
that faculty member. You also may not be able to pursue the independent
study credit option for the second term of the assistantship. If you are
interested in this option, you should check with the department regarding their
policy for granting independent study credit to non-majors.
What do I do after I have been selected by a professor?
Once a professor selects you as his/her James O. Freedman Presidential
Scholar, there are two things you must do. First, print and complete the
Acknowledgement & Release form. You and your faculty mentor must
both sign this form, and it must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate
Advising and Research. Second, you must fill out the on-line application
form. Both of these are available by following the links on this
website.
If a faculty member signs my application form, does this mean I am a
James O. Freedman Presidential Scholar?
Not necessarily. Selection by a faculty mentor and submission of the
required forms does NOT guarantee acceptance into the program. If we have
more applications than stipends, selection will be based on factors such as
academic standing and the relevance of the project to the student’s
major. Applications will be accepted until the program deadline (see
website), and notification letters will be sent out 3 weeks after that
deadline.
How are James O. Freedman Presidential Scholars
compensated?
Students are eligible to receive a stipend of $700 for each of the two terms
of the assistantship. Stipends are paid as a lump sum through the Office
of Undergraduate Advising and Research at the END of each term and are
contingent on a satisfactory evaluation by the faculty mentor. Students
are not required to complete time-sheets. Stipend payments for
international students (non-resident aliens) are subject to a 14% tax.
Can I receive academic credit for my work as a James O. Freedman
Presidential Scholar?
In the second term of the assistantship, students may receive independent
study course credit instead of a stipend ONLY IF it is deemed appropriate by
the faculty advisor (subject to departmental criteria). Assistantships
for which independent study credit is to be granted will typically involve a
greater time commitment than non-credit assistantships. The faculty
mentor ultimately makes the decision as to whether independent study credit is
an option, and the student is responsible for registering for the independent
study through the faculty mentor’s department prior to the start of the
term. Students should check with the department to be sure that they are
eligible to register for independent study. The Office of Advising and
Research is not involved in the course registration process.
What happens when I have completed both terms as a James O. Freedman
Presidential Scholar?
Transcripts of students who successfully complete both terms of the
assistantship will carry the notation “James O. Freedman Presidential Scholar
Research Assistant.” Students who complete two terms of the assistantship
AND graduate with honors in their major will be designated James O. Freedman
Presidential Scholars at Commencement and on their transcripts. Students
who complete the assistantship and go on to write an honors thesis are eligible
to receive an additional $300 thesis stipend in their senior year.
Applications for the honors thesis stipend are available on this website.
Still have questions?
Contact the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Research:
- Office: 110 Wentworth Hall
- Blitzmail: “Undergraduate Research”
- HB: 6201
- Phone: 646-1632
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