If the Course of Study doesn't fit into my schedule, can I take classes other than the year it says to take them?

It is important to realize that TR Scholars are automatically enrolled in the courses they are required to take in a given semester.  As a result, they are expected to fill out their schedule with other courses that do not conflict with the honors courses.  The Course of Study for first year students is designed to help prepare them for success in college and to establish intellectual community amongst TR Scholars.  This necessitates taking classes together.  As a result, there is very little flexibility in the required course of study for the first three semesters.  Thereafter, if conflicts arise, discuss them with the TR Director, and arrangements may be made to accommodate taking a course or two out of sequence.  The timing aspect of the TR Program Course of Study for years three and four should be viewed more as guidelines than as a mandatory sequence.  The second half of the TR experience is designed so that it meshes with the requirements of the TR Scholar's discipline major.  It is important to note, however, that only those who complete all requirements will graduate with TR distinction.  So, there is some discretion as to timing, but no discretion as to program requirements.

Are international students obligated to fulfill all TR Program requirements?

Yes. When an international student accepts a Global Awareness & TR Scholarship they are obligated to meet all TR Program requirements including:  participation, service, curricular, and co-curricular expectations.  Global Awareness/TR Scholars are not expected to meet both Global Awareness and TR Program requirements.  In other words, the TR Program requirements supersede the Global Awareness requirements.  However, international students are expected to work with and serve as leaders for the International Club and design a service/learning project that compliments and enhances the objectives of DSU's International programming.

What is a suitable service/learning project?

The objective of service/learning is to give back to the community.  TR Scholars have been given much therefore much is expected.  So service/learning projects should be not-for-pay, and should be designed with the objectives of the TR program in mind.  That is, the student should find an organization that needs help with some new initiative that will facilitate the student's having an opportunity to take a leadership role rather than simply clocking service hours.  Most service organizations have projects pending for which staffing is insufficient.  These are the type of opportunities one should seek out when designing a service/learning project for TR credit.  Furthermore, in order to address the learning component of service/learning, the student and supervising instructor will design a means of evaluating the educational value of the project (an essay, a journal, etc.).

What is the timetable for the service/learning project?

Service/learning projects won't always begin and end in the same semester.  Therefore, it is permissible to begin a service/learning project in one semester, take an incomplete and then finish it the following semester (before midterm).  One may not, however, extend the service/learning project beyond a second semester.

Does the service/learning project have to begin during the Fall semester?

No.  The Course of Study guidelines for service/learning projects, internships, and the scholarly proposal can all be worked into the TR Scholar's schedule when most convenient.   The Course of Study guidelines offer a reasonable plan for completing the TR Program requirements, but should not be viewed as binding in terms of when requirements are met.  If an internship or project is available in one's field in Fall rather than Spring it is acceptable to take it then or even in the summer. There is no discretion as to whether an internship is done; there is discretion as to when it is done.

Where can I find help designing and arranging a suitable service/learning project?

The Office of Student Development has a list of service/learning and internship opportunities.  Once you find an organization with whom you are interested in working, sit down with your supervising instructor, or the department head in your major, and design the project according to the criteria delineated in question three above.

What is a Study Tour and how many are we required to attend?

Occasionally the TR Director will arrange a trip for TR Scholars that involves unique educational opportunities (e.g., a trip to the capitol during a legislative session.)  All TR scholars must take one of these study tours for credit during their course of study.  The scholar will collaborate with the TR Director regarding a plan of study for the study tour, and will submit a follow-up report that sketches how the study done on the study tour will contribute to future scholarly efforts.  TR Scholars will be invited to attend all Study Tours, but only need take one for credit.

What is a Formal Undergraduate Research/Scholarly Project?  How do I find a topic suitable for this project?

The Formal Undergraduate Research/Scholarly Project should evolve from one's interests and experiences working closely with a professor or professors in one's major discipline.  By the time one is ready to graduate, one ought to be prepared to engage in a line of inquiry that will serve to both challenge and gain for the TR Scholar a measure of distinction.  The topic should be suggested as the scholar pursues knowledge in his or her major, and the project should be designed in collaboration with a supervising professor or department head, and approved by the TR Director.

Will the Formal Undergraduate Research/Scholarly Project also count as my senior project for my major?

Yes. The TR senior project is designed to coincide with any senior project required within the discipline major.  TR Scholars are not required to do two senior projects.  However, they are required to do a senior project that is a "cut above" (i.e., possesses honors merit).  The senior project should establish the TR Scholar's readiness for success in graduate school and/or preparation for leadership in their profession.

What is the difference between the Special student/faculty collaborative scholarship/research proposal (Discipline major 494H, Independent Study) and the Formal Undergraduate Research/Scholarly Project?

494H is preliminary and will likely lead to the senior level project.  494H is a proposal designed to get the TR Scholar experience in presenting at a conference or poster session; the senior project is designed to demonstrate a level of competence commensurate with the aims and objectives of the TR Program.

If my major requires an internship do I have to do two internships?

No. The TR internship is designed to coincide with any internship required within the discipline major.  TR Scholars are not required to do two internships.  However, they are required to include in the internship required of their major discipline (assuming one is required) a leadership component.

Can I enter the TR Program at any time?

"Yes and no."  One may, with the Director's approval, transfer into the program, and it is possible, even for students who have been at DSU for some time, to begin the TR Program after their freshman year.  However, one must take all required courses before graduating with TR distinction, or have a contract for any exception granted by the TR Director.  "No," one may not enter the TR Program at any time; applications will only be accepted for Fall entry into the program.

Will being in this program increase my chances of getting into graduate school?

An undergraduate degree with Theodore Roosevelt Honors/Leadership Program distinction, along with strong letters of recommendation, a strong record of scholarly endeavor and leadership experience, coupled with high graduate school entrance exam marks, will make you a highly desirable candidate, even at the top graduate schools in the nation, and may well pave the way for graduate assistantships or scholarships.