Founding Scholars
Founding Scholars welcomes new, incoming first-generation college students to life at GW. Students will build community with other first-gen students, connect with faculty and staff, and learn about valuable academic and campus resources while learning more about Washington, D.C. This program is specifically designed for first-generation students. We welcome you to register if you identify as a first-gen student.
Register for Founding Scholars
"The Founding Scholars program helped immensely in my first year of college at a PWI, I was nervous and scared that I would be isolated from spaces because of my background. This program welcomed me with a community that taught me that I was not alone and that I belonged here. I found a family that equipped me with the resources and confidence necessary to be successful as a first-gen, second-generation, person of color."
Alejandra Varela
Class of 2023
Program Overview
Small groups and peer guides are a signature part of our co-curricular programs. Incoming student participants will be placed in a small group led by upper-class peer guides who act as mentors, lead small group discussions and activities, guide reflection on what it means to be a first-generation student, and help participants get to know more about GW and Washington, D.C. Students that sign up to participate in Founding Scholars are expected to be available to engage during all program dates and times.
Program Benefits
By addressing the unique characteristics of this population, Founding Scholars aims to reduce barriers between first-generation students and continuing-generation peers, acclimating students to their new home, fostering connectedness, and providing a successful start to the college experience.
Founding Scholars participants will:
- Explore what it means to be first-gen at GW;
- Build community with first-gen peers;
- Connect with faculty/staff;
- Learn about valuable academic and campus resources to succeed at GW; and
- Explore your new home in Washington, D.C., learn how to navigate the city, and discover some of what it offers alongside your peers.
100%
of students agreed that they could apply their strengths as a first-generation student after Founding Scholars
25
incoming students participated in 2023
Registration
The application for Founding Scholars has a priority deadline of Friday, June 21. Applicants will be notified if they are part of this year's cohort by Friday, June 28. Applications received after June 21 will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis, depending on program space availability. No applications will be considered past July 21.
Please note that you can only participate in one pre-orientation program. SEAS students, Women's Leadership Program (WLP), Civic House Scholars, and others with required programming on these program dates are not eligible to participate in Founding Scholars.
Cost
$75 per participant. The program fee will be charged to your student account in August. The fee will cover program supplies, swag, and snacks. We will provide food for off-campus activities away from dining halls.
We do not want program fees to be a barrier to participation. Fee waivers are available for those who express financial need. If you have questions about fee waivers, please reach out to the Founding Scholars team at [email protected] 
Program Dates
Founding Scholars will occur on Thursday, August 15 and Friday, August 16.
Additional Information
If you have any additional questions, please contact the Founding Scholars team at [email protected].