Community Scholars FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Community Scholars Program (CSP)? For fifty years, the Community Scholars Program has led Georgetown University’s efforts to promote social justice by enrolling a more racially and socioeconomically diverse student body. Through CSP, each year a multicultural cohort of first-generation college students begins their Georgetown experience with a five-week summer program designed to aid their transition to higher education. During the summer students take classes for academic credit, attend orientation workshops, and begin forming bonds with teachers, administrators, and each other that will endure throughout college. The program supports its students throughout their Georgetown careers with academic advising, mentoring and personal counseling, study groups, workshops, and seminars. The program is managed by the Center for Multicultural Equity & Access (CMEA).
Do I have to participate in the summer program to be a Community Scholars? Yes. The cornerstone of the program is the five-week residential program; Scholars must participate in all five weeks of the program.
How does the CSP Scholarship work? The Community Scholars Program Scholarship is awarded to help offset the lost wages from the summer. The scholarship is applied toward your estimated student contribution via your account and is split between the fall and spring semesters. The amount is $1700.
Why was I invited to participate in Community Scholars?
During the admissions process, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions nominates eligible applicants to be considered for the Community Scholars Program. A committee comprising faculty, representatives of CMEA, the Office of Student Financial Services, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Georgetown College Dean’s office reviews the applications to determine which students will be invited into the program. The committee bases its decisions on the applicant’s academic and personal achievements as well as their commitment to education in the face of adversity.
What’s covered during the summer? During the five-week program, the following components are covered by the University: transportation to/from campus, room & board (all meals), books for courses, and CSP-sponsored activities on-campus and off-site.
What are some benefits of the program?
- Get a head start on credit-bearing coursework that lightens their first-year course load
- Get to know the campus and the greater DC area
- Create a network and bonds that will last a lifetime
- Receive priority registration for the fall semester, ensuring seats in desired classes
- Meet with academic deans, financial aid counselors, and other critical support services
How do I confirm my acceptance? Once students have submitted their formal acceptance to Georgetown’s Admissions office (with deposit or waiver), students need to submit the CSP agreement form to communityscholars@georgetown.edu. Students will then complete part 2 of registration via an online portal and submit additional forms to confirm their spot on a first-come, first-served basis. All forms should be sent to communityscholars@georgetown.edu.
How do I confirm my acceptance? Once students have submitted their formal acceptance to Georgetown’s Admissions office (with deposit or waiver), students need to submit the CSP agreement form to communityscholars@georgetown.edu. Students will then complete part 2 of registration via an online portal and submit additional forms to confirm their spot on a first-come, first-served basis. All forms should be sent to communityscholars@georgetown.edu.
I have the opportunity to go on this great trip for a few days. Can I go?The cornerstone of the program is the five-week residential program, therefore, Scholars must participate in all five weeks of the program. Students must take part in the whole program – this includes courses, academic seminars, workshops, trips, and community-building activities. Scholars are also required to live on-campus in their residence halls for the duration of the program.
What should I bring? In the coming weeks, we will be send out additional forms and information on the program, including a packing list. This list is created with your five-week session in mind only. You will be moving out of these dorms after the summer program and will not be living in the same room for the fall, so please follow the list. Pack lightly enough that you can easily travel to and from campus!
What will we be doing? During the weekdays, Scholars take 2 classes for academic credit: Writing & Culture (WRIT 1152), an intensive critical reading and writing course taught by Georgetown faculty with graduate-student teaching assistants; and a second summer session class chosen by each student’s Academic Dean to provide participants with a head start on their credit hours before beginning their first semester in the fall. Courses may include Theology, Economics, International Relations, Psychology, Science, or Sociology. Other day and evening activities include seminars with campus partners (e.g., Career Center, Financial Aid), lunch with your dean, activities to get to know the campus, impromptu games and social outings, and more! There are special activities and other community-building activities. Scholars will also have free time to explore DC, relax, and of course, study.
Where will we be living? Scholars will be living in Copley Residence Hall. This is not the same room that you will be in for the fall semester, so please be mindful that the packing list is short for a reason. There is limited storage space for you to keep your possessions on campus during the week between the end of CSP and the beginning of the fall semester. Please keep this in mind.
Can we choose our roommates? Because CSP values building community, we do not allow Scholars to choose roommates. We are thrilled if you begin connecting before the beginning of the summer session, but we want to be sure you are meeting new people and building relationships across the entire cohort.
The program ends on August 9. Can I just stay through until orientation? Unfortunately, Scholars are unable to extend their stay on campus. Due to the quick turnaround between Summer Session II ending and the start of the academic year, the University needs time to prepare for fall move-in.
How does my travel get booked? A representative from the office will coordinate all travel arrangements (from flights to super shuttles to trains/buses). You will be notified of these arrangements once they have been confirmed. Additionally, if there are other Scholars coming from the same area, we will try to coordinate so you can travel together.
I want a family member to fly with me to help move me in. Is this possible? We suggest having family/friends move you in August (for the fall semester) rather than in July before the five-week program for various reasons. Concerning move-in, extra assistance is more useful for the fall semester than for the summer program. For the five-week program, we suggest a limited packing list because there is limited to no storage to leave things behind in preparation for the fall semester. The fall is when you will be moving all of your things in, and when you would most benefit from having some family support in getting situated.
Additionally, we must emphasize that there will not be time to visit or socialize with family once you arrive on campus for CSP. Following move-in, there is a welcome dinner. At that point, all family and friends are required to leave the premises so that programming can begin. We do not allow any absences from these programs, which means you would spend very little time, if any, with your family. However, in August, you will be able to spend time together since your schedule will be much more flexible.