Roy R. Charles Center

Information for Prospective Monroe Scholars - Incoming Freshmen

The most academically distinguished students in each freshman class are designated James Monroe Scholars. All William and Mary applicants are considered for admittance to the Program - no additional application is required.

The Monroe Scholar Program is administered by Professor Joel Schwartz, Director of the Roy R. Charles Center and , Associate Director. The following are some of the benefits James Monroe Scholars receive:

• All high school seniors who are designated Monroe Scholars are invited to attend a spring Monroe Weekend where they attend classes and meet current Monroe Scholars and faculty members.
• The Charles Center, home of the Program's administrative offices, is located in Tucker Hall on William and Mary's Old Campus and functions as a second home for Monroe Scholars. The Center has a comfortable open study lounge that is ideal for quiet reading and writing. A variety of periodicals are available in the lounge.
• Freshman Monroe Scholars may choose to live in the Monroe Scholar Residence Hall. Monroe Hall is centrally located near the Charles Center and the Wren Building on Old Campus.
• Monroe Scholars are given special consideration in the appointment of freshman advisors and are given priority registration for freshman seminars.
• Every freshman Monroe Scholar is eligible to apply for a $1000 grant to conduct a two-week research project during the summer after the freshman year. These competitive grants are restricted to Monroe Scholars and fund projects that build on themes or concepts encountered in general education courses. About 50 of these grants are awarded each year.
• All Monroe Scholars are guaranteed a $3,000 summer scholarship for a research project of their own design. These projects are undertaken after the sophomore or junior year. Projects may be conducted on the William and Mary campus or might involve travel to specialized domestic or foreign library collections, laboratories, field stations, or other research facilities.
• In addition to the Monroe Scholarships, the College provides a variety of other summer scholarship opportunities that are open to Monroe Scholars. Lisa Grimes advises students applying for summer as well as national scholarships and fellowships.
• Monroe Scholars are invited to a series of lunch seminars held throughout the academic year. These informal sessions allow Monroe Scholars to meet and interact with many William and Mary faculty and outside speakers from all fields.
• The Monroe Scholar Program has adopted Matthew Whaley Elementary School, located approximately three blocks from campus. Monroes are invited to participate in tutoring, after school clubs, and other activities. Approximately 200 Monroe Scholars participate in the program each year.

If you are a prospective Monroe Scholar and would like to arrange a visit to William & Mary's campus to meet with Monroe Scholars, find out more about the program and see the College, please contact the Office of Admission.