EEB Scholars Program

The 2021 EEB Scholars Program Application is now closed. 

Virtual program dates*: October 8-15, 2021

*Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year's EEB Scholars programming will be virtual. 

As part of efforts to increase the diversity and accessibility of graduate studies in ecology and evolutionary biology, Princeton EEB encourages students to apply to the EEB Scholars Program. In this program, talented students (EEB Scholars) will be selected from a competitive applicant pool and invited to participate in a series of academic and social activities designed to give them the tools to confidently apply to graduate schools, as well as familiarize them with the Princeton EEB department. The program will focus on the graduate application process, connecting with EEB faculty and students, and highlighting Scholars’ academic achievements. Students with backgrounds historically underrepresented in STEM are particularly encouraged to apply.

Our department is committed to increasing the presence and visibility of students with exceptional ability and promise who will bring a diversity of viewpoints and cultures to STEM fields generally, and who have demonstrated an interest in and passion for research in EEB specifically. Fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive community of scientists is critical to our mission. This program is part of a larger effort to build and support such a scientific community.

full eeb scholars 2019 cohort  
                                                 EEB Scholars

Program Overview

EEB Scholars will attend workshops on the graduate school application and interview process, meet with faculty members, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers in small group meetings, gain practical experience by participating in mock interviews, and present a poster on their prior and ongoing research. The schedule will include virtual meetings and social events throughout the week but will not require scholars to attend a full week of programming.

Additionally, EEB Scholars will be invited to participate in EEB Mentors, a new initiative launched in 2020 that matches applicants with current Princeton EEB graduate students for the purpose of helping scholars navigate the process of applying to graduate school. The EEB Scholars and EEB Mentors programs are both excellent ways to preview Princeton and gain insights into the process of applying to graduate school in general.

Finally, applicants who apply to and are accepted into the EEB Scholars Program will assume automatic participation in the Princeton University’s Graduate School’s Prospective Ph.D. Preview (P3) program.  P3 is designed for prospective students to gather general information on graduate education at Princeton University and learn about the resources, such as financial and extracurricular opportunities, available to students applying to any field of study at Princeton. Please note: applicants who are interested in becoming an EEB Scholar should only apply to the EEB Scholars application, they will not be required to also apply to the P3 Program application. 

The Princeton University Graduate School waives application fees for EEB Scholars participants. Click here for more information.

Click here for more details and frequently asked questions.

Click here to find out what past Scholars have to say about the program!

Eligibility

This program is designed for students interested in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology who will be applying to graduate school this upcoming fall or in the near future. This includes current undergraduates, recent college graduates, current Masters students, and recent Masters graduates. We expect the EEB Scholars cohort to typically include 10 domestic (US) students and 2 international students.

We especially encourage students from underrepresented minorities and developing nations, as well as those inhabiting other axes of diversity, to apply. Students attending Minority Serving Institutions (such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities), first-generation students, and undocumented students are particularly invited to apply.

Application

The 2021 EEB Scholars Application is now closed.
Applicants will be notified at the end of August 2021

The application consists of a personal statement (1-page, 12 point font, single-spaced), CV/resumé, transcript, and one letter of recommendation (see instructions below). In your personal statement we would like you to share how your personal and academic experiences have motivated you to pursue a PhD in EEB, and to reflect on how you bring a unique perspective to the scientific community.

      Additional Questions?

      Check out the FAQs or contact eeb.scholars@princeton.edu

      Graduate Student Coordinators: Jarome Ali, Jacob Levine and Aiyu Zheng