"Fortunately I was able to take an extra year at the University of Rochester to study astronomy and philosophy, not for any special purpose, but just to know, and to get one step closer to finding my place in the universe."

—Take Five Scholar, '07

Take Five Scholars

Academic enrichment with
NO additional tuition!
Are you struggling to find the time to pursue a special academic interest that falls outside your rigorous major? Or perhaps you have recently discovered an interest but have run out of time to learn more? Maybe you're simply so overwhelmed with requirements that you have not had the chance to consider all that the University has to offer. If so, you may want to consider applying to the Take Five Scholars Program.

The Take Five Scholars Program, unique to the University of Rochester, provides an additional semester or year, tuition-free. It offers the chance to pursue a demanding major and still enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the broad-based, intellectual enrichment of a liberal arts education. Since its inception in 1986, over 900 students have become Take Five Scholars. As we begin the 2008-09 year, 68 students are enrolled in the program, and new Scholars will be accepted in the fall.

If this sounds like something you'd like to explore, take some time to talk it over with your parents, your faculty advisers, and current Take Five Scholars. Think about a topic that you are passionate about but have not been able to study. Look through the Undergraduate Bulletin and online course descriptions, and list the courses that might help you attain your intellectual goals. Then begin to consider how you might incorporate them into a coherent and cohesive course program. You'll be on your way to creating a proposal for what may become the most exciting and rewarding time of your undergraduate years!

A very unique program that turned into my best year here at Rochester. If you want to study something, why not study it at a college level for free. I never thought of it as a year I could have been starting my life in the real world, but rather as a year that allowed me to explore another area of interest in depth and giving me the time to study what really wanted to study. I am honored to be a part of a select group of people who want to make their experience at UR the most and best it could be."

—Take Five Scholar, Class of 2001

For further questions, please contact the Take Five Scholars Program Administrater, Sean Hanna, at the College Center for Academic Support at (585) 275-2354 or by e-mail at shanna@mail.rochester.edu. There is also an informational DVD available at the Multimedia Center in Rush Rhees Library.

If you are currently a Take Five Scholar and need to change your course schedule, please submit the Petition to Change Course Schedule Form.