Sophomore Strategies...

As a sophomore, you will narrow your academic focus and choose a major, pathway, or center. You might also be planning for study away. Remember that connecting your off-campus learning experiences to your academic interests and goals is crucial to making the most of your time at Conn. 

Meet with faculty to discuss the subjects that interest you and to learn about their own work. Building these relationships lays the groundwork for a strong support network and can also open unexpected doors. Take more than one class with the professors you connect with so that they develop a better understanding of your strengths and motivation. Explore faculty-student research opportunities and take leadership roles in the clubs and activities that you participate in.

Attend the All Campus Symposium to see how other students have woven their interests into an academic path.  Maintain a record of your academic journey by using tools like e-portfolios. This archive of experiences that have impacted you will be incredibly helpful as you develop your personal statements for future applications.

Continue to pay attention to the local, national and international news and if you do study away, be sure you have chosen a program that relates to your academic goals. Be sure to consult with faculty and staff advisers.

Find something meaningful to pursue during your summer, ideally an activity that aligns with your academic interests.  

Contact fellowships@conncoll.edu to learn more about these and other opportunities and visit the internal funding opportunities page to learn about Connecticut College funding resources for off campus study and research.

Opportunities Open to Sophomores

BARRY M. GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP 

Area of Focus: STEM fields, PhD trajectory
Description: Living memorial to honor the work of Senator Barry Goldwater. 

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BOREN SCHOLARSHIP

Area of Focus: Language study, culture, STEM summer
Description: Supports semester long, 6-12 months or summer-only study abroad programs in all regions/countries except Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

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CRITICAL LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIP 

Area of Focus: Language study, cultural exchange, US government
Description: Fully funded intensive summer overseas language and cultural immersion for one of 15 critical languages. 

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DAAD RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (RISE) 

Area of Focus: STEM (biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences or engineering)
Description: RISE Germany offers summer research internships in Germany for undergraduate students.

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DAVIS 100 PROJECTS FOR PEACE

Area of Focus: Peace and conflict, social justice
Description: Davis Projects for Peace is an initiative for students to design grassroots projects for the summer of 2020 - anywhere in the world – that promote peace and address the root causes of conflict among parties.  

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FULBRIGHT UK SUMMER INSTITUTE 

Area of Focus: cultural exchange, history of UK, diplomacy
Description: Three-to-four week summer opportunity to explore the culture, heritage and history of the UK while experiencing higher education at a UK university.

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FREEMAN ASIA 

Area of FocusEast or South East Asia
Description: The Freeman-ASIA program is designed to support U.S.-based undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. 

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GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP 

Area of Focus: study abroad, all fields, language
Description: U.S. Department of State program enables Pell Grant recipients and those who have been historically underrepresented in US higher education to study or intern abroad

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HUMANITY IN ACTION FELLOWSHIP

Area of Focus: Human rights, democracy, international 
Description: Fully funded, month-long educational program on human rights, pluralism and democracy in a program city, followed by local community project that each participant designs and implements.

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RANGEL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM 

Area of Focus: Summer enrichment, U.S. Foreign policy, economics, international affairs, global challenges
Description: Six-week summer program designed to provide undergraduate students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in international affairs, a greater understanding of career opportunities in international affairs, and the enhanced knowledge and skills to pursue such careers. 

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UDALL SCHOLARSHIP 

Area of Focus: Undergraduate funding, Native American focus, tribal policy, native health care, environment and conservation
Description: Merit-based award for college sophomores and juniors focused on leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. 

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