James Monroe Scholars Program

Monroe Scholars demonstrate intellectual depth, curiosity, concern for community and devotion to learning for learning’s sake. Fewer than 10% of admitted W&M undergraduates receive this prestigious designation.

The program’s mission is to support a community of scholars who demonstrate strong academic drive and pursue diverse intellectual passions through mentored research and internships. This highly motivated peer group encourages each other to continue to be exceptional students.

What are the Monroe Scholar benefits?

$1,500 First-Year Summer Research Funding

Every Monroe Scholar is eligible to apply for a grant to conduct a three-week project during the summer after their first year. These competitive grants fund projects that build on themes or concepts encountered in their courses.
Guaranteed $4,000 Sophomore or Junior Summer Research Funding

Research projects may be conducted on campus or involve travel to specialized domestic or foreign library collections, laboratories, field stations or other research facilities.
$4,000 Internship Funding

Sophomore or junior Monroe Scholars can apply for a one-time $4,000 grant to assist with cost of living while completing a summer internship.
Monroe Scholar Housing

In their first year, admitted Monroe Scholars may choose to live in Monroe Hall with other Monroe Scholars. Centrally located on campus, Monroe Hall was newly renovated for the fall of 2024.
Monroe Enrichment Series

From research center tours and faculty discussions to grant writing workshops and karaoke, numerous enrichment activities offered each semester enable students to connect with peers, faculty and alumni.
Priority Registration

Start your college experience off strong with priority registration for a COLL 150 section and up to 7 other credits of your choosing in your first semester of courses.
Peer Mentorship Program

First-year students can be paired with an upperclassman Monroe Scholar to discuss topics like adjusting to college, campus involvement, research and choosing courses.
Conference Travel Grant

Students may apply for funding to cover their expenses related to academic conference travel.

Becoming a Monroe Scholar

Incoming first-year students are automatically considered for admission to the program. Undergraduate Admission elects first-year students who demonstrate intellectual depth, curiosity, academic passion and care for the community through their application to William & Mary. Students selected usually graduate in the highest range of their high school classes and if test scores are submitted, standardized tests scores are in the top five percent nationally.

Once on campus, transfer students and first-year students who were not initially selected to join the program and plan to complete a summer research project may apply to become a Monroe Scholar as part of the Charles Center Summer Research Grant process.

The newly renovated Monroe Hall (reopening Fall 2024) will feature comfortable gathering spaces for students to connect.

Pathway to mentorship: Close connections drive Monroe Scholars at W&M

The James Monroe Scholars Program provides students with valuable avenues to link with fellow students and faculty members as they embark on distinctive research and scholarship opportunities.

Summer Research Funding

The research funding Monroe Scholars receive can be used to study an interest in any field and enable students to build skills for future research projects. Scholars can apply to receive $1,500 during their first summer. All scholars are guaranteed $4,000 during the summer after their sophomore or junior year. Recent first-year summer research project topics have included:

Bridging the Gap: A Collection of Poetry Inspired by Conversations with Children
Determining the Relationship Between Terrestrial Noise Pollution & Underwater Ecosystems
Effective Use of Color in Educational Scientific Illustration
The Right to be Forgotten: Internet Privacy in the U.S. & China
Video Game Developers and Diversity: How do Players Identify with Character Customization

William & Mary James Monroe Scholar Caroline Cashman

Graduate School Preparation

“I used my freshman research grant to research how ranked choice voting methods can be analyzed using linear algebra. I know that the research I've been able to complete as a part of the Monroe program will be vital in preparing me for graduate school and a career in math research.”

— Caroline Cashman ’26, mathematics major from New Jersey

Monroe Housing

Home to over 120 first-year students, Monroe Hall is located near the Sunken Garden and close to the Sadler Center as well as several academic buildings. The newly renovated residence hall will re-open in fall 2024 as a hub for Monroe Scholars to live and learn together. Common spaces on each floor feature contemporary furniture and finishes, modernizing the interiors of the historic residence hall.

First-year Monroe Scholars are not required to live in Monroe Hall but have the option to select Monroe Hall as their first choice during “Early Room Selection.”

More About Monroe Hall

William & Mary James Monroe Scholar Seneca Ricewoolf

Supportive Community

“Living in Monroe Hall pushed me to be a better student and community member. I would often come back to the dorm intending to spend some time alone or procrastinate on homework. Instead, I was greeted with friendly faces in the kitchen and the offer of a study buddy or freshly baked treat. This unexpected meeting place and culture of academic flourishing encouraged me to work hard and do it together.”

— Seneca RiceWoolf ’25, self-designed social policy and environment & sustainability double major from Maryland

Monroe Scholar Career Outcomes

Monroe Scholars major in nearly everything at W&M. From here, they can go anywhere. Scholars also have exclusive access to a Monroe Scholars group on One Network, where W&M community members share industry highlights and find networking and mentorship opportunities.

52 _%

Entered the workforce

of 2022 and 2023 Monroe Scholar graduates
23 _%

Went on to professional school

of 2022 and 2023 Monroe Scholar graduates
22 _%

Went on to graduate school

of 2022 and 2023 Monroe Scholar graduates

Meet Monroe Scholar Alumni

Monroe Scholar graduates are well known for their scholarship and character. Last year, two Monroe Scholars received top awards at graduation. Many of our alumni are doing great things, here are just few:

Josh Sundquist ’06, Business Major with a Concentration in Marketing

Josh Sundquist received his degree from the Mason School of Business the same year he competed in the Paralympics as an alpine skier. He has written three books and an Apple TV+ show was made based on his story. His titles now include Paralympian, motivational speaker, author, executive producer, social media influencer and comedian.

Grace Solini ’20, Computational and Applied Mathematics and Statistics Major

Grace was named a Goldwater Scholar and received a Monroe Prize and the Thomas Jefferson Prize in Natural Philosophy. She also co-authored two peer-reviewed papers. Solini is a biology Ph.D. candidate at CalTech.

Morgan Pincombe ’21, International Relations and Public Health Major

Morgan Pincombe used her Monroe Scholars funding to research and write a paper about the effectiveness of national-level closure policies during the pandemic. Her paper was published in the journal, Health Policy and Planning. She is now a research associate in global health policy at the Center for Global Development.

James Monroe Scholars Program

What are the Monroe Scholar benefits?

$1,500 First-Year Summer Research Funding

Guaranteed $4,000 Sophomore or Junior Summer Research Funding

$4,000 Internship Funding

Monroe Scholar Housing

Monroe Enrichment Series

Priority Registration

Peer Mentorship Program

Conference Travel Grant

Becoming a Monroe Scholar

Pathway to mentorship: Close connections drive Monroe Scholars at W&M

Summer Research Funding

Graduate School Preparation

Monroe Housing

Supportive Community

Monroe Scholar Career Outcomes

Meet Monroe Scholar Alumni

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Monroe Scholars in the News

Grace Solini '20 to receive Thomas Jefferson Prize in Natural Philosophy

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Monroe Scholars Program

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