The Quill and Compass Scholars
In the spring of 1748, a brave 16-year-old Virginian set forth on an adventure beyond the western mountains. Equipped with little more than his compass and quill pen, the young surveyor George Washington gained an education on that journey that would last him a lifetime.
At Washington College, we believe, in the spirit of our founding patron, that the best education is one combining the life of the mind with the personal growth gained by experience, travel – and perhaps even adventure.
The Quill and Compass Scholarships are a new program for students interested in exploring history and American studies here at one of the most historic colleges in the nation. Recipients will have opportunities to sail the Chesapeake Bay on an 18th-century schooner, roam Civil War battlefields, dig for the lost traces of a Native American village, and delve into dusty archives that span more than 300 years. You will be able to study in small seminars with leading American historians, conduct original research under the one-on-one guidance of a faculty mentor, or hear firsthand tales of Civil Rights-era politics from a famous U.S. senator.
The scholarships’ name symbolizes our distinctive approach to studying the past. The quill pen represents Washington College’s famed excellence in teaching writing, and particularly the literary craft of history. The compass represents the many opportunities we offer our students to explore the world beyond the college gates – especially our surrounding region of the Chesapeake Bay, one of America’s richest historic areas.
All admitted applicants who intend to major or minor in History or American Studies are encouraged to apply. The Quill and Compass program currently offers $6,000 scholarships ($1,500 annually for four years), along with unique opportunities to participate in travel and other special activities free of charge. The scholarships themselves are awarded to two members of each incoming freshman class, but other aspects of the program are open to outstanding students across many fields.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
- Applications will be accepted from incoming students only.
- Applicants must submit a history or social studies paper of 6-8 pages in length (or an excerpt of 6-8 pages from a longer paper) that represents their best work in the subject. Please include citations.
This may be work previously written as part of a school assignment.
- Papers should be typed, double-spaced, and in a readable type-face. Include your name and address on the title page. Unless so requested, papers will not be returned.
- Applicants must secure a one-page recommendation from a current or former social studies teacher that addresses their interest in history and social studies, and performance in social studies classes. Applicants who have included a letter of recommendation from a social studies teacher in their application to Washington College should request an additional one, specifically addressing the criteria listed above. Teachers should submit their recommendations directly to Kevin Coveney, Vice President for Admission and Enrollment Management, by e-mail at kcoveney2@washcoll.edu, or by mail at WC Admissions Office, 300 Washington Ave., Chestertown, MD 21620.
Applications for the 2009-10 academic year are due February 28, 2009. For assistance with the application process, please contact the Admissions Office’s Kevin Coveney (800-422-1782, ext. 7700, kcoveney2@washcoll.edu).
The Quill and Compass Scholarships at Washington College are made possible through the generosity of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Colonial Dames of America, Chapter I, and other supporters and friends.
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