old Rees-Chancellor's Scholars Program

Leadership, mentorship, and global experience combine for a high-engagement, holistic education.

Awarded by the David C. Frederick Honors College, the Rees-Chancellor's Scholars Program recognizes and supports outstanding incoming undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievements and leadership potential.

Program Benefits

Comprehensive Support

Rees-Chancellor's Scholars receive a package that includes full tuition coverage, room and board, and guaranteed funding for experiential learning, including study abroad, internship, and research opportunities. Students will also travel as a cohort to the University of Oxford in England, inspiring a global co-curricular perspective.

Two students talking in the Rees Commons room.

Cohort Model

Becoming a Rees-Chancellor's Scholar means joining a highly involved community, within both the Frederick Honors College and the Rees-Chancellor's Scholars network. Each cohort, composed of the nation's most ambitious scholars, works closely together to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and interpersonal growth.

Global Learning

Students will also travel as a cohort to the University of Oxford in England, inspiring a global co-curricular perspective. Scholars will also receive funded support for study abroad with access to over 300 programs across 75 countries, and one-on-one advising support for international and domestic internship opportunities.

Scholarship Development

Scholars gain access to concierge support from FHC staff, including national scholarship advising. Scholars will receive expert guidance from advisors with the highest scholarship success rate in the country, identifying and applying for prestigious national awards that match their academic and professional goals, such as the Boren, Gilman, Goldwater, Fulbright, Rhodes, Truman and Udall scholarships.

A Frederick student looking into a microscope

Research Mentorship

Scholars will be guided toward hands-on research opportunities that align with their interests and academic pursuits as early as their first semester and are supported in refining their scientific communication skills for symposium presentations, authorship, graduate school and more.

Nicola and Ben Cardin with Chancellor Scholars

Leadership Coaching

Rees-Chancellor's Scholars gain access to tailored leadership coaching designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world impact. They’ll have access to foundational and skill-based workshops taught by esteemed FHC staff and faculty members.

Admission

Students aspiring for Rees-Chancellor's Scholar consideration must be U.S. residents or DACA recipients and must first apply to the University of Pittsburgh and be accepted into the Frederick Honors College. Factors for review include weighted grade point average, rigor and strength of high school curriculum, SAT/ACT scores (if applicable), class rank (if applicable), extra-curricular activities and quality of the Common Application essay or Pitt personal statement. High school research experience and demonstrated leadership skills are highly recommended for competitive candidates.

Timeline and Process

First-year applicants who indicate their interest in the Frederick Honors College and submit all required application materials by December 1 will receive priority consideration for being selected as a Rees-Chancellor's Scholars semifinalist. Rees-Chancellor Semifinalists will be notified in December to schedule their first-round interview. Finalists will be notified in February to schedule their second-round interview. Chosen Rees-Chancellor's Scholarship recipients will be notified in early March.