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Apply

Students can apply for the STAR Scholars Program in two ways: (1) as prospective students during the admissions process to the University and (2) as current students during the mid-year application process.

The STAR application for current students is now open!

Learn more and apply

Prospective Student Application Process

Are you applying for admission to Drexel and looking to apply to STAR? Apply through the prospective student application in your Discover Drexel portal under the Enrichment & Scholarship tab. Please contact enroll@drexel.edu with any questions.

Launchpad to STAR

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​In an effort to support student engagement in early undergraduate research, Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs (UREP) is proud to announce Launchpad to STAR. Students are invited to participate in a variety of workshops designed to help them understand what research is and how to get involved. Many workshops will be offered in Fall Term (face-to-face); if students are unable to attend a given workshop or it is not offered, they will also have the option of asynchronously completing the workshop and an accompanying worksheet. Learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, and how to participate on the Launchpad page on the UREP Sharepoint.

Current Student Mid-Year Application Process

Current Drexel first-year or transfer students can apply for the STAR Scholars Program during the mid-year application process, which opens during the Fall Term and closes in the Winter Term.

Application Opens: Monday, November 6, 2023  
Application Closes: 12:00pm noon on Monday, January 29, 2024 

Mid-Year Application Elements 

  1. Online Application: The online application will open on November 1, 2023. Each applicant must fill out and submit the online application before the deadline (no later than 12:00pm noon on Monday, January 29, 2024).
  2. Statements: Within the online application, each applicant must respond to 2 very short answer questions, 2 of 3 possible short answer questions, and one personal interest statement which can be answered with a 500-1,000 word essay or a 2-4 minute video.
    1. Two very short answer questions (max 100 words)
      • Why did you choose your major?
      • What one aspect of the STAR Scholars Program are you most looking forward to, and why? 
    2. Select two of the three following short answer questions (max 250 words each)  
      • Reflecting on your first term at Drexel, tell us about a skill you've gained as a student and how this will help you in STAR.
      • Tell us about a time you worked with a team. Did your team work collaboratively? How did this impact your experience?  
      • Tell us about one personal, professional, OR academic goal that you have set for yourself for your time in college. Why did you set this goal for yourself, and how would participating in STAR help you advance that goal? 
    3. Interest Statement (500-1000 word essay or 2-4 minute video) 
      • Using online resources (such as college/departmental websites, ForagerOne, and STAR abstract books) or previous interactions with faculty (such as presentations at Univ101), identify a faculty member or lab at Drexel doing research or creative work that you find interesting. Tell us about why you find this work interesting.
      • Guidelines for the Statement of Interest:
        • Please write between 500-1,000 words or submit a 2-4 minute video. Interest statements will be submitted through this online application as an uploaded document. Please only use the following file formats: .pdf, .doc, .docx, or for a video submission, please follow the instructions in application to upload via YouTube.  
        • We don't expect you to understand this area of work fully. This question is meant to show your curiosity about and interest in the topic you've selected.  
        • You do not need any previous history with or connection to the professor or lab. The person you write about does not need to be in your college or department.  
        • Please do not contact researchers to answer this question; you should be able to answer this question using the resources listed in the prompt. 
        • Your answer to this question does not commit you to working with any specific professor or guarantee that you will have the opportunity to work with any specific professor for STAR.
  3. Recommendation: Each applicant must obtain a recommendation from a Drexel faculty, staff member, or graduate student who has agreed to provide a recommendation. In place of a traditional letter of recommendation, recommenders will be asked to complete a recommendation form within the application portal. An application will not be considered complete without a recommendation.

Instructions on How to Submit a Recommendation Request

  • When completing your online application, you will enter your recommender’s email address (abc123@drexel.edu). A pop-up will appear with their all.my.names@drexel.edu email. You MUST click on this address. 
  • Once you submit your application (prior to the deadline of Monday, January 29, 2024 by 12:00pm noon), your recommender will receive a request from InfoReady to complete the recommendation form.  
  • Your recommender will be able to see your completed application and will be able to access the recommendation form to complete.  
  • Recommendations will be due no later than 12:00pm noon on Monday, February 5, 2024. To allow your recommender to begin drafting your recommendation in advance of you submitting your application, please provide them with the STAR Recommender Guidelines prepared by UREP.  

Program Decisions: All applicants will be notified of decisions by beginning of the Spring Term.

Apply for the STAR Scholars Program