5th Year Scholars

Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.
Matsou Basho

In response to a proposal from several student leaders and faculty members, the Fifth Year Scholar program was founded at Carnegie Mellon in 1991. The Fifth Year Scholar program offers an opportunity for a small number of exceptional students to remain on campus for one full year following the completion of their normal course of study. Fifth Year Scholars are supported by free tuition and a $7,000 fellowship. Designed to provide distinguished students with an opportunity to pursue a broadened educational experience while continuing to enhance the Carnegie Mellon community, the program offers students continued personal and professional growth.

Examples of past scholar activities include a Business Administration major who implemented "Summit", a conference-like experience that takes place prior to the opening of the spring semester, a Social and Cultural History and International Relations student who designed a Panhellenic New Member Program, and a Computer Science major who spent her fifth year completing a gender studies minor while designing and installing an artistic piece in Margaret Morrison Carnegie Hall that celebrates the accomplishments of women.

Building on a tradition of excellence, each Fifth Year Scholar demonstrates a commitment to the Carnegie Mellon community through their academic accomplishments and metacurricular involvement. Each scholar contributes to the intellectual community involvement in a range of activities including completing undergraduate research, serving as program directors, and participating on college-based advisory councils. The fifth year is providing each scholar with an opportunity to pursue scholarly interests in new fields of study. Their individual projects, as well as group activities, continue to impact the university community.

Each scholar demonstrates a thoughtful and creative approach to his/her Carnegie Mellon experience, and enhances the community in unique ways. These students have pursued a full undergraduate experience, and continue to enrich themselves for a fifth year. Carnegie Mellon is fortunate to have the richness of these students' talents on the campus for an additional year.