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About

The Eminence Fellowship has one clear purpose: to cultivate intellectually and socially engaged citizens who intend to commit themselves to solving big problems.  

The challenges facing our world demand the kind of thinking that traverses the boundaries of discipline and nation.  As a Land-grant University, founded to promote the practical benefits of liberal learning, Ohio State has a long history of exploring the transformative potential of new ideas.  The Eminence Fellowship builds on this rich tradition by creating a unique educational environment in which talented students prepare to assume leadership roles on campus, in Columbus, and beyond.

Expectations

The Eminence Fellowship frees students from the financial obligations of a college education so that they may contemplate courses of study and career paths based on the contribution they hope to make rather than the compensation they expect to receive.  

Those students named Eminence Fellows embody the three founding principles of the program, and continue to live by them in their undergraduate years and beyond:

Rigorous inquiry. Eminence Fellows have passions, not just majors.  They evince a curiosity that crosses boundaries, that energizes them to explore fields other than their own. Eminence Fellows come to campus with a network of questions and concerns that drives them to seek opportunities off the beaten path.

Community enterprise. Recognizing that innovation and discovery require the free and frequent exchange of ideas, Eminence Fellows seize every opportunity to collaborate. To further this exchange, Eminence Fellows begin their careers sharing a living community and working on a joint service venture.

Exemplary citizenship. As recipients of the most prestigious merit award at The Ohio State University, Eminence Fellows are entrusted with a substantial investment. They become not only students, but also exemplary citizens. Their intellectual pursuits and personal goals will, therefore, take into account the needs of the campus community, the residents of Columbus, and the people of Ohio.

To remain in good standing as an Eminence Fellow, students are additionally required to:

  • Attend all Eminence events.  Students are encouraged to get involved across campus, but the Eminence Fellows will remain a principal obligation.
  • Participate in an overnight retreat early in the academic year.
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.4.
  • Gain admission to the University Honors Program and maintain Honors status every semester.
  • Become a major contributor in a year-long service project.
  • Take on a significant internship during at least one semester.

Students selected to be Eminence Fellows pursue big questions—the kind that take them across disciplines, into their communities, and across the globe.  Beginning as early as high school, Eminence Fellows demonstrate a pattern of deep involvement and effective leadership in the classroom and beyond.  Here are some of their stories.

Cassie Rush

Year: Freshman 
Major: Pharmacy  

Cassie has been set on a career in pharmacy for the past several years. She is no stranger to Ohio State's research labs and is looking to expand her research experience as she works towards her pharmacy degree.

Cassie expressed her appreciation for the BSPS program, and says that she was attracted to pharmacy by the wide variety of career paths it offers. "You don't just have to work at a community pharmacy, you can work in a hospital setting, or for different government agencies, insurance companies, there are just so many opportunities," Cassie said. While Cassie anticipates that her focus will change and grow as she progresses through her program, she is currently interested in pediatric pharmacy, possibly at a specialized children's hospital.

Through a STEM program at Westerville Central High School, Cassie was able to get a head start on college-level coursework, and had the opportunity to explore research before she arrived at Ohio State. She spent part of her senior year assisting with research in the lab of Dr. Robert Curley, working to create all-trans-lycopene products for use in cancer research in labs across Ohio State's campus. When reflecting on her experience, Cassie said "The program sparked my interest in considering research instead of just being a practicing pharmacist."

Cassie hopes to take advantage of the research opportunities on campus, but is looking to get experience outside of the lab. "I think I will definitely do some sort of research, but I'm not sure what that is yet. I might try to get more into clinical research rather than working in a lab like I did in high school."

In addition to her participation in the Eminence Fellows program, Cassie is involved in Undergraduate Student Government, and is on the Programming Board of Park-Stradley residence hall. Cassie is looking to pursue Honors status at the beginning of next year.

Meera Nagarajan

Year: Freshman 
Major: Nutrition

Meera was drawn to Ohio State for the diverse opportunities it offers its students.  In her first year, she has taken advantage of those opportunities by participating in research, joining student organizations, and raising funds for charity through her artwork. 

Meera is a human nutrition major, something she chose for its wide applicability and its connection to the medical field. “There’s so much about it that’s relevant to society.  You can link nutrition to cancer research, to community health, to obesity trends, I was just so interested in how applicable it is,” Meera said.

Currently, Meera is working on community-based research with Dr. Carolyn Gunther in the human nutrition department. In her work with Dr. Gunther, she helps facilitate the Simple Suppers program, a healthy cooking and nutrition education program for parents and their young children.

Meera is interested in pursuing a master’s in public health in addition to an M.D., and would like her work to focus on food security issues and global nutrition.  Her study of global health has sparked her interest in joining different clubs such as Global Health Initiative and Project Nicaragua, which study health issues abroad. 

In addition to public health and nutrition, Meera is an artist and entrepreneur.  Although this is not something she is pursuing as a career, Meera has stayed connected to her interest by running a greeting card company with her sister, Thara.  Meera and her sister hand-draw the cards, sell them online and donate half of the proceeds to charitable organizations.   Meera said, “We’ve always made greeting cards during the holiday season, and we finally decided that we should put our art towards a good cause.” 

Ari Kirsh

Year: Freshman
Major: Chemistry

Ari Kirsch knew exactly what he wanted to do when he graduated from high school. Ever since he was young, he had his heart set on going to Israel for a year after graduation as part of the Young Judaea’s Year Course. However, after applying to colleges his senior year and receiving a full tuition scholarship from Ohio State, he had a tough decision to make.

After a lot of discussions with his family and Ohio State, Ari made the decision to defer his acceptance and follow his dreams of going to Israel. “The idea of Young Judaea’s Year Course is to provide cultural integration and social action into the society of Israel. In other words, they want you to live there, among the people and see what it’s like… they want you to make a difference while you are there,” said Ari.  

While he was in Israel Ari worked in three cities, each for three months. Ari spent the first three months working as a tour guide at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem, helping to translate the tour guide scripts from Hebrew to English. Then, he moved to Bat Yam where he worked as a volunteer on an ambulance. Finally, his last three months were spent in Arad training with the Israel Army, living as an Israeli soldier.

Ari took a chance and deferred his acceptance to Ohio State, but was welcomed back after his trip as an Eminence Fellow. Ari is looking forward to the next four years and exploring his options for a future career. Ari reflected,“The number one goal at the end of the day is that this is a school and I need to do well in it… the learning is what is most important.” Currently a chemistry major, he hopes to work within the sciences, possibly going to medical school.

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Qualifications
In keeping with the mission of the Eminence Fellows, the selection committee looks for students who have demonstrated potential as leaders both inside and outside the classroom.

Academic distinction in high school is assumed.  The typical profile of a student admitted to the Eminence Fellows has an ACT composite score of 34 and higher or an SAT Critical Reading and Math score of 1520 and higher.  Eminence Fellows generally graduate in the top three percent of their high school classes.  Many become class Valedictorians.

Just as important is evidence of significant and sustained contributions to the school and local communities.  Students selected for the Eminence Fellows show records of long-term involvement and increasing responsibility in school activities (including athletics) and community-based initiatives.

Essay
All applicants for the Eminence Fellowship are required to write a thoughtful, original response to the following question: The Ohio State University was founded on the principle of “education for citizenship.” How do you want to shape your education during your four years at Ohio State to ensure you are a contributing citizen to the University and the greater community, both domestic and abroad?

Interview
A select group of finalists for the Eminence Fellowship will be invited to campus during the Spring semester for an interview with members of the selection committee.  Award letters will be sent out  shortly thereafter.

For complete instructions, and to begin the application, please visit the Eminence application site

 

FAQs

Is the Eminence Fellows Program open to all majors?
Yes, the program accepts students from all majors, provided their academic goals and interests align with the program’s core mission.

Is there a minimum GPA, SAT, or ACT to be considered for the Eminence Fellows?
No, there is not a minimum below which an application will not be considered.  However, successful applicants typically have SAT scores of 1520 and higher, ACT scores of 34 and above, and a GPA that falls in the top three percent of the student’s high school class.

What is the financial award tied to the Eminence Fellowship?
Eminence Fellows receive full cost-of-attendance scholarships to attend Ohio State, and are eligible to receive $3,000 in enrichment grant funding beginning the summer after their first year.

How many applicants will be named Finalists?
Seventy-five.

How many Fellows are in each entering cohort?
Twenty-five students in each entering class are named Eminence Fellows.

Are international students eligible for the Eminence Fellows Program?
At this time, only domestic students are eligible.