The John W. Berry Sr. Scholars Program

The University Honors Program at the University of Dayton was founded in 1978. Over time the Honors Program grew and, with funding from John W. Berry Sr., a Daytonion whose family has a rich heritage of philanthropy and interest in supporting institutions of higher learning, the Berry Scholars Program was introduced. The Berry Scholars Program is a selective university-wide academic program, admitting 30 incoming students each year. A hallmark of the Program is the Berry Scholars integrated seminar sequence.

The goal of the Berry Scholars Program is to enhance and stimulate each Scholar's intellectual curiosity, academic skills and community values. When choosing the 30 Berry Scholars each year, the University Honors Program seeks a diverse class of students who are enthusiastic, accomplished, have a wide variety of academic interests and strong potential for leadership and service. Each class attends the required seminars together, creating a close and collaborative group within the larger communities of the University Honors Program and the University of Dayton.

• Berry Scholars, part of the broader University Honors Program, receive additional scholarship funds.
• Program participants take an integrated sequence of seminars, usually one per term.
• Students participate in leadership and service programs and fulfill a cultural immersion or study abroad experience.
• Students complete an Honors Thesis project and present their research at the Honors Students Symposium senior year.
• Students graduate with a Berry Scholars diploma and key.

Entering the Berry Scholars Program

• Only incoming first-year students who meet the criteria of the Honors Program admission may apply to the Berry Scholars Program. The program seeks a diverse class of students who are intellectually inquisitive, have a wide variety of academic interests and a strong potential for leadership and service.
   
• Admission is very competitive with approximately 200 students applying for 30 positions.
   
• To apply, the student submits a letter of application, letter of recommendation, and resume. The priority date for receipt of applications each year is December 15.
   
• Here are guidelines for writing the application essay.
   
• Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received. Once the applications are evaluated, a certain number of prospective students may be invited
  to campus for interviews. Admissions are rolling.