- What is the application process?

Students who are interested in writing a year-long senior essay must submit an application to the DUS Office during the spring term of their junior year. The application is usually due at the beginning of April. (Click here for the exact deadline.)

The application must include: (1) the Year-long Senior Essay Prospectus form signed by the faculty adviser who has agreed to supervise the student’s essay, (2) an up-to-date, unofficial transcript, and (3) a 1-2 page prospectus that describes the topic, issue, or analytic or theoretical problem the student wishes to examine. The prospectus should also discuss the relevance of the topic, issue or problem. A good prospectus will describe the questions being asked, as well as the type of research that would be employed to address those questions. Finally, the prospectus should describe previous coursework taken that is relevant to the project.

Students should make sure to discuss their plans with their senior essay adviser and ask him/her to review the prospectus before signing the form.

The DUS Office will notify students by email during the month of April whether they have been accepted into the year-long senior essay program.