What is the Solutions Scholars?

This program admits a cohort of approximately 20 students each fall. These scholars are committed to addressing key challenges facing our world like immigration, inequities facing women, climate change, poverty, human rights, and more. Course instruction together with experiential learning, research and internship experiences help develop the skills needed to be the solution to the most pressing issues of our day.

Each Solutions Scholar is supported with a $2,000 scholarship disbursed over one year.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Students who are declared a major in the College of Social and Behavioral Science (CSBS)

Whether a freshman, sophomore or transfer student, all must have met the following requirements. 

• Successful completion of Math 1030 (or equivalent) by the end of spring 2024
• Successful completion of Writing 2010(or equivalent) by the end of spring 2024
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (freshman minimum high school GPA 3.5)

How to Apply

Gather the following materials and then click the button below:

• Write two short essays:
  - Tell us why you would make a good fit for the Solutions Scholars program (300 words or less)
  - Please address one of the key challenges that faces our social and natural world that interests you and    how it relates to your declared major. (500 words or less)
• The name and email address of one of your instructors who has agreed to serve as a reference for your application. (Freshmen may ask a high school instructor to serve as a reference if you don’t know a university instructor well enough to ask.)
• Information about declared your major(s), minor(s), and emphases
• An unofficial transcript
• Application Deadline February 15, 2024

APPLY HERE
Please direct questions regarding the program or application process to solutionsscholars@csbs.utah.edu. 

The Timeline

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What does the Solutions Scholars program look like for accepted students?

Throughout the one year program, you will be expected to: 

• maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA
• remain consecutively enrolled full time (12 or more credits) on main campus in fall and spring semesters
• have a declared major in the College of Social and Behavioral Science

MARCH 2024

• Meet with Solutions Scholars advisor to map out your fall 2024 semester courses prior to registration

August 2024

• Attend orientation for Solutions Scholar students prior to the beginning of fall 2024 classes

Fall 2024

• Enroll in the Solutions Scholars required core course: ENVST/SOC 3720 which prepares students on how graduate level courses are taught along with understanding an interdisciplinary perspective of environmental health disparities. 
• Meet with Solutions Scholars advisor prior to registering for spring 2025

Spring 2025

• Enroll in .5 credit hour "research exploration" course where you learn about research opportunities
• Enroll in .5 credit hour “internship exploration” course where you will learn about internship opportunities
• Both exploration classes will provide information on how to seek out research and internship opportunities along with applying for  funding to engage in these activities beyond spring 2025