The Benefits of Being a Fellow

With this distinction, Fellows are able to:

• Include a Capstone Fellow status on their college transcript. 
• Continue to apply for travel, research and education grants through Capstone.
• Wear a Capstone Scholars Fellows honors stole at graduation.
• Become a part of an expanded professional network of Fellows.

Capstone has pushed me outside of my comfort zone to do things that I did not believe I was capable of.

Caroline Hannon, Capstone Fellow, 2017 Cohort 

Eligibility

To join the ranks of the Capstone Scholars Fellows, you must first be in good standing with our program. If you missed a requirement deadline, you must make up that requirement by the appropriate deadline the following semester in order to retain your good standing. If you are unsure of your status, please contact your consultant or email our front desk. 

Capstone Scholars Requirements

• Complete UNIV 101 (or other approved course) with a “B” or better during your first semester.
• Complete your Capstone Consultation requirement for each semester.
• Positively impact your community once each semester.
• Select and pursue a personal challenge each semester.
• Attend at least one additional Capstone Scholars event per academic year.
  • Only the events posted through our calendar count towards this requirement. 

Academic and Conduct Criteria

• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Be in good conduct standing with the University.

Additional University Engagements

• Attend at least one beyond the classroom event or experience in which you engaged with diverse perspectives.
  • This experience must be completed during your first two years at the University of South Carolina.
  • Examples include: diversity dialogues, multicultural events, international events, or Tunnel of Awareness, etc.
  • For other ideas, search the Graduation with Leadership Distinction Enhancement Experience Database.
• Receive a recommendation from a faculty member.
  • You can ask for a letter of recommendation or use our provided recommendation form, and the completed document will be uploaded through the application.
  • Ways to reach out to faculty can include taking them Out-to-Lunch, meeting with them during office hours, working with them on research, or through your own initiative.
  • Please note that recommendations cannot be from staff at the Capstone Scholars Program or U101 instructors.
• Be an active member of a student organization.

Extensive Beyond the Classroom Experience

• Complete at least one of the following core experiences:
  • Serve in a leadership position on campus which you applied for, were selected for, and/or elected into (at least one semester).
  • Participate in any credit-bearing study abroad experience that is approved by the University of South Carolina.
  • Conduct undergraduate research (at least one semester).
  • Get an internship, co-op or substantive work experience (12 weeks/ 240 hours or more).
  • Take a 3-credit hour service learning class.
• Present your own experience as a Capstone Scholar at the Fellows Colloquium the fall of your junior year. Criteria for this presentation will be sent during the summer after your application.