Application Process
General Information
Program and Scholarship Details
Winthrop's Eagle STEM Scholars Program educates and trains undergraduate biochemistry,
biology, chemistry, computer science, cybersecurity, environmental science, and math
students for direct matriculation into graduate programs, graduate health professional
schools, professional programs, or STEM-related careers. Scholars are selected based
on academic excellence and may include first-generation undergraduates, college students
with financial need, or members of groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences.
The Eagle STEM program prepares students for graduate work through long-term engagement
in laboratory research as well as scholarly activities that include a rigorous science
and math curriculum, academic seminars, and a strong community of like-minded and
motivated science students with a common set of professional goals.
The Winthrop Eagle STEM Scholars program emulates proven practices from the University
of Maryland, Baltimore County's (UMBC) Meyerhoff Scholars Program that was featured
on CBS News' 60 Minutes in November 2011. Specific Winthrop Eagle STEM Scholars Program
elements include:
- Recruitment of motivated, well-prepared students who have a minimum Math SAT of 580 or ACT of
25 (optional)
- Financial Support provided to some of the selected scholars are scholarship awards that will be applied
toward the costs of tuition, room and board less South Carolina scholarships awards
(Palmetto, Life, or Hope) and any other Winthrop scholarships. Awards may be less
than but will not exceed the cost of attendance.
- Community of Like-Minded Students
- Early move-in allows STEM Scholars to get settled on campus before others arrive.
- Eagle STEM Scholars share a common residence hall floor; upper-class resident advisers
plan social and academic programs.
- Scholars complete an Eagle STEM professional seminar series during freshman year.
- Scholars participate in Eagle STEM community service activities and social outings.
- Winthrop's Eagle STEM program office and staff are adjacent to science classrooms.
- Academic Support is highly-structured during freshmen and sophomore years.
- Incoming Eagle STEM Scholars are paired with an upper-class peer advisor to assist
with academic and social adjustments to college.
- Study halls for Eagle STEM Scholars are held twice weekly during freshman year; tutors
are available to enhance Eagle STEM scholar academic performance in chemistry, mathematics,
and writing.
- Eagle STEM staff monitor academic progress and meet with each student biweekly.
- Eagle STEM Scholars meet with a faculty academic advisor every semester.
- Beginning sophomore year, Eagle STEM Scholars serve as science tutors.
- Comprehensive Research Experiences are required during both junior and senior years
- By junior year, Eagle STEM Scholars will be expected to join a lab group and to become
actively engaged in a cutting-edge research project under the mentorship of a biochemistry,
biology, chemistry, or math faculty member.
- Scholars will be expected to make oral presentations and to write research reports
detailing specific aims established, scientific methods used, and lab results obtained.
- During junior and senior years, scholars will attend national, state, or local scientific
conferences. Seniors will be expected to present research results at these conferences.
