For students in the Robert H. Smith School of Business, Smith Undergraduate
Fellows Programs are prestigious classes that allow students to enhance their education
and experiences within the school. However, those in charge of the programs say that it
takes more than just a good GPA to get into the program.
Hugh Turner, the faculty champion for the Music Management Fellows, said, “The
students should have a passion for music and the music industry. It is a very challenging
industry and it is very hard to make a living.”
Each application requires your GPA, resume and a list of activities. Along with the
regular application, some require additional work, like writing an essay to portray the
interests of the applicant.
One of these programs is the Social Innovations Fellows, which requires applicants
to write an essay about a person they admire who put their efforts toward solutions for
social and environmental problems.
“The program was created for students who want to link their careers to their
values and what they find important and create a blueprint,” said Melissa Carrier, the
faculty champion for Social Innovations Fellows. “To be successful in the class you have to
be really interested in what you are doing.”
According to Turner, the Smith Undergraduate Fellows Programs were created to
provide students with smaller environments within the Business School where students
can create their own unique ideas and learn from each other.
“I have the students come to me with their own ideas,” said Turner. “I want you as
students to be creative and show that you are really passionate.”