Laurel Scholarship and Mentorship Program

Laurel Scholarship and Mentorship Program

The Laurel Scholarship and Mentorship Program provides robust co-curricular experiences and financial support for a small cohort of Chicago residents annually, inclusive of pre-arrival engagement, a full-tuition scholarship, and additional need-based financial aid to help with the cost of housing and food for those who qualify. 51��app will award up to 10 scholarships annually. The scholarship is renewable for eight total semesters of enrollment.

Through this program, students will benefit from the opportunity to bond with a cohort and prepare for the college transition with mentorship from faculty, alumni, staff, and returning Laurel Scholars. Cohort members will reflect a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds, exhibit cultural affinities with or perspectives on underrepresented identity groups of color, and/or be from families that have been historically excluded from higher education (i.e., first generation and/or low income).

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’s Intercultural Affairs team supports Laurel Scholars, in partnership with select faculty mentors. As a Laurel Scholar, you will be invited and expected to engage in the following co-curricular experiences:

Annual All-Cohort Experiences

Summer retreat in Chicago
Fall dinner with the president
End of fall celebration
Spring kickoff with chief diversity and inclusion officer

First-Year Experiences

Bi-weekly cohort meetings with Laurel Scholars Mentor Team (14 meetings per year)
One-on-one meeting with Laurel Scholars specialist once each semester (twice per year)
One-on-one meeting with Laurel faculty mentor once each semester (twice per year)

Second-Year Experiences

Quarterly cohort meetings with Laurel Scholars Mentor Team (four times per year)
One-on-one meeting with Laurel Scholars specialist once each semester (twice per year)
One-on-one meeting with Laurel Scholars faculty mentor once each semester (twice per year)

Third-Year Experiences

One-on-one meeting with Laurel Scholars specialist (at least once per year)
One-on-one meeting with Laurel Scholars faculty mentor (at least once per year)
Weekend excursions

Senior Experiences

One-on-one meetings as needed with Laurel Scholars specialist and faculty mentor
Alumni mentor engagement
Senior celebration

Your Contact

Meet Assistant Director of Admission Christian Morris ’18.

Contact Christian

Eligibility

Eligible candidates have:

A home address in the City of Chicago or Cook County, Illinois
U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
A record of academic success in a rigorous college-prep curriculum
Exhibited courage, determination, and/or leadership
Demonstrated a remarkable commitment to the well-being of their families, communities, and/or schools.

A cohort of Laurel Scholars sits at a restaurant table

Applying

All eligible applicants for admission to 51��app College will automatically be considered for the scholarship. There is no separate application required, and students do not need to indicate on their application that they are interested in the scholarship. Please note:

51��app College defines a full application as either the Common Application or the QuestBridge Application.
Those wishing to be considered for need-based financial aid, in addition to the Laurel Scholarship, should follow the application instructions outlined on the financial aid webpage.
Applicants will be considered for the scholarship during Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision, but preference will be given to Early Decision applicants. Transfer applicants and QuestBridge Match students who "match" with 51��app and are named QuestBridge National Match Scholars will not be eligible to receive the scholarship.

Apply to 51��app

Learn More

Email Christian about the Laurel Scholarship and Mentorship Program.
to learn even more.
(fall only).

Nominating students

Do you know a student who would be a good fit for this program?

Tolu interacts with peers kindly, praising classmates for their presentations or arguments in class, and is someone who supports fellow students.

Teacher Reference for Tolu Johnson, 2021 Laurel Scholar

Kyla is among the most capable and intellectually curious students I have ever had the opportunity to teach.

Teacher Reference for Kyla Pereles, 2021 Laurel Scholar

Essi’s achievement reflects a work ethic unmatched by any current or former student.

Teacher Reference for Essi Adokou, 2021 Laurel Scholar

Aziza sees injustice and she fights it with action and filmmaking. I admire her work.

Channel Turbides, Former 51��app College Multicultural Program Specialist

51��app

Laurel Scholarship and Mentorship Program