FAQ

Program FAQ
Selection process FAQ
Application FAQ
First-Year Student FAQ


Program FAQ top

 

Are Robertson Scholars Duke or UNC-Chapel Hill students?


While all Robertson Scholars have full student privileges at both universities, each scholar matriculates at and graduates from only one of the two universities. However, each scholar will take a minimum of 5 courses at the sister university over the course of four years and scholars' transcripts will reflect all cross-campus coursework and participation in the Robertson Scholars Program.

 

How do Robertson Scholars get to classes on the sister campus?


The Robertson Express Bus, open to all members of the Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill communities, provides regular transportation from Duke's West Campus to the main campus of UNC-Chapel Hill during the academic year. The bus ride lasts approximately 20 minutes. View the schedule for the Robertson Express Bus.

 

Is any particular major required for Robertson Scholars?


Robertson Scholars may major in any subject offered at their home institution. Scholars may double major, minor, or obtain a certificate in a variety of subjects.

 

How do scholars determine their plans for their Robertson summers?

Each scholar works with the Assistant Director for Summer Programs to design and plan a summer experience catered to his or her unique interests, leadership development needs, and personal goals. To this end, scholars take a fair amount of responsibility in creating an experience that is personally relevant, meaningful, and productive; the program staff supports the scholar's own efforts and provides guidance as needed.




How long do the summer programs last and how much funding is available to scholars?


The first and second summers last a minimum of eight weeks. The length of the third summer is determined by the scholar.

 

What do Robertson Scholars do after college?


Graduates of our program pursue a variety of post-graduate paths. While some scholars will opt to continue their education by attending graduate and professional schools, others will take jobs in global companies, small start-up businesses, and other private organizations. Still others will work for nonprofits in the U.S. and abroad.

 

What is the financial value of the Robertson Scholarship?


The Robertson Scholars Program provides full tuition, room and board, and mandatory fees for scholars during their four years at Duke and/or UNC-Chapel Hill. Scholars receive a laptop and have access to three summers of generous funding. The scholarship is valued at:

Over $200,000 for Duke students

Over $155,000 for out-of-state UNC-Chapel Hill students

Over $85,000 for in-state UNC-Chapel Hill students

 

Selection Process top

 

How do I apply for the program?


Students interested in the Robertson Scholars Program are strongly encouraged to complete the Robertson Scholars Program online application in addition to their application to Duke and/or UNC-Chapel Hill. The application is intended to supplement the student's application to Duke and/or UNC- Chapel Hill by providing information specific to the Robertson Scholars Program's criteria. For students wishing to be considered for the Class of 2017, the application will be available October 1, 2012 and is due by December 1, 2012 at 11:55pm.

 

Do I have to complete my application to Duke or UNC-Chapel Hill BEFORE I submit the Robertson Scholars Program application?


No. You may submit your Robertson Scholars Program application at any time before or after you submit your application to Duke or UNC-Chapel Hill, as long as it is before the application deadline. Keep in mind, however, that you must complete an application to one or both of the universities to be considered for the Robertson Scholars Program.

 

Do I have to apply early decision/early action to be considered for the Robertson Scholars Program?


No, but you must complete your admission application to Duke and/or UNC-Chapel by the regular admission deadline to be considered by the Robertson Scholars Program (UNC: January 5, 2013; Duke: January 2, 2013).

 

Do I have to apply to both Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill to be considered for the Robertson Scholars Program?


No. Students can apply to one or both of the schools and will be considered separately for the Robertson Scholars Program at each university to which they have applied. That is, a student to who applies to both universities may be considered at both, but a student who applies only to UNC-Chapel Hill, for example, will only be considered at UNC-Chapel Hill.

 

Can I apply to both the Morehead-Cain scholarship and the Robertson Scholars Program at UNC-Chapel Hill?


No, students may only apply either for the Robertson Scholars Program or the Morehead-Cain Scholarship at UNC- Chapel Hill. However, an applicant to the Morehead-Cain scholarship at UNC may still be considered for the Robertson Scholars Program at Duke if s/he applies for admission to Duke.

 

Can I be considered for the Robertson Scholars Program at both Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill?


Yes. A student who completes admission applications to both Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill can be considered for the Robertson Scholars Program at both schools. However, because the Robertson Scholars Program's selection processes at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill are independent of one another, a student who applies to both universities will be considered separately by the two Robertson selection committees and may or may not be selected for further consideration as a Robertson candidate based on the applicant pool at each university. Students may be named as finalists for the Robertson Scholars Program at both schools.

 

How will I know if I am a candidate for the Robertson Scholars Program?


Candidates applying through the traditional process who are selected for semifinalist interviews will be contacted by March 2013 to schedule a Skype interview.

 

Are international students eligible for the Robertson Scholars Program?


Yes. All students applying to Duke or UNC-Chapel Hill are eligible for consideration for the Robertson Scholars Program.

International students from all other countries should complete the traditional application located on the Robertson Scholars Program admissions website.

Students who are US citizens but attended high school outside the US (or vice versa) should apply to the Robertson Scholars Program the same way they applied to Duke and/or UNC-Chapel Hill - either as an international or domestic applicant.

 

Do North Carolina residents receive special consideration for the Robertson Scholars Program?


No. All students are considered equally regardless of their state or country of origin.

 

How many people from each high school can apply for the Robertson Scholars Program?


There is no limit to the number of students from each high school who can complete the Robertson Scholars Program application.

 

Application FAQ top

 

Who should write my letters of recommendation for the Robertson Scholars Program application?


The application requires two letters of recommendation: one from a personal mentor who has direct knowledge of how you could make a difference in the world as a leader, and one from someone within your school community who can attest to your ability to thrive in the academically rigorous environments of Duke and/or UNC-Chapel Hill. You may use the same recommenders as you used for your university application. However, please note that we ask recommenders to address questions that are specific to our selection criteria, so your Robertson letters of recommendations may differ from those submitted for university applications. The Robertson Scholars Program application will request the name and contact information for both of your recommenders, and the program will contact each recommender to prompt them to complete the recommendation form.

 

What questions are recommenders asked to answer?


Recommenders will be asked to respond to the following questions:

  • What sets this individual apart from his/her peers and/or other people that you know?
  • How does this student inspire and generate energy in others? How does s/he command the attention and respect of others? Has the student truly motivated, delegated to and led others or simply held a position and done all the work himself/herself?
  • How is this student motivated by her/his curiosity and passions? How does s/he exhibit a thirst for knowledge and improvement?
  • How has this student dealt with transition or uncertainty? We are especially interested in resiliency and resourcefulness.
  • How does this student demonstrate integrity and moral courage? Has there ever been an instance in which the student took a different stance on an issue than his/her peers?

 

Is a transcript required for my application to be complete?


No. However, you will need to be able to provide certain details from your transcript in the application (e.g. GPA, SAT/ACT, AP/IB scores). Submitting your official transcript to UNC or Duke along with your admissions application is sufficient.

 

What standardized tests do your require as part of the program application?


The Robertson Scholars Program application does not require official score reports; self-reported scores are sufficient. We require either the SAT or ACT, and students who have taken both exams may report one or both scores. SAT Subject Test scores are not required.