Norlin Scholars (for high school seniors)

General Description

The Norlin Scholars Program is for creative and curious students from all majors interested in mindfully developing their whole selves in a supportive learning community. Ideal applicants are interested in self-reflection and growth through integrative, embodied learning and collaboration within the community. They’ll have an interest in the ways multidisciplinary work informs problem-solving, as well as a desire to apply their learning toward the betterment of humanity.

Norlin Scholars must take additional required courses, attend mandatory community events, and adhere to program participation, communication, and conduct norms in order to retain the scholarship. To be considered for the scholarship, you must have a 3.0 or higher high school gpa.

We adhere to the philosophy that as many students as possible should have a well-supported, community-based undergraduate education; it makes our campus more welcoming and inclusive. Thus, in order to share resources and because of the added responsibilities and obligations of being in a smaller community like Norlin Scholars, students who accept the scholarship as high school seniors cannot simultaneously participate in Presidents Leadership Class, Engineering Honors Program, or the Leeds Scholars Program.

Priority Deadline

The Norlin Scholars application opens November 1 and closes February 15 of the following year. Apply anytime between November 1 and February 15. However, because of the high volume of 4-year applications we receive, those applications received by February 1 will be given priority status.

AI and Scholarship Applications

We’re aware that there are mixed opinions on the use of AI for scholarship applications. Some sources encourage using AI for idea generation, others for all-out writing of college and/or scholarship essays. To be clear, our view is that we want your idea generation and your Norlin Scholar essay questions to be completely, originally written by you. In fact, we ask that all of your work–including other elements of your general scholarship application that we’ll have access to–be your original work, without the aid of AI. We want to hear from you. We want you to speak from your heart and your experience. We want your authentic voice, personality and uniqueness to shine through in your essays.

Further, should you be selected, Norlin courses require original, creative thinking and they encourage intentional development of written and verbal communication. There is no other way to develop your authentic voice. We aim to create an environment where you can self-reflect, practice authenticity, and build trust. Please keep all of this—and our other essay writing tips—in mind when you apply for the Norlin Scholarship.

Should AI essays be detected, your application will be eliminated from the pool.

You’ll find more information on AI and the CU Honor Code here: AI and Honor Code: 3 Things to Know

Award
$6,000.00
Schools, Colleges, Departments
Norlin Scholars
Deadline
02/15/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. The Norlin Scholars community provides much more than a financial award and we’d like to know how this community speaks to you. Before you answer these questions, please look in depth at the Norlin website. (Link in Help text below.) As you answer, avoid directly quoting from the site and provide plenty of concrete details from your experience. Show us your authentic self and voice. In our review process, we will read your whole scholarship application; therefore, avoid repeating or cutting and pasting answers.
    • 1) The Norlin Scholars program values a model of learning and self-awareness that invites the sharing of cultural wealth. What will you bring from your community or communities that will enhance the Norlin Scholars as a group? (300 word limit)
    • 2) Author Parker Palmer writes, “Community is that place where the person you least want to live with always lives.” Talk about a time when you had to collaborate and build community with others who have different perspectives or backgrounds from yours. How did you navigate the relational challenges involved? What skills did you rely on or develop through the experience? (350 word limit)