Scholars Institute Fellows Program (SIFP)
Head Fellow Application for Spring 2016
New Junior Applicants
Scholars Institute Fellows Program Overview
Building on the academic and co-curricular programming offered by the Freshman Scholars Institute
(FSI), the Scholars Institute Fellows Program allows undergraduates the opportunity to continue to be
part of the vibrant scholarly community they established during their summer in FSI. SIFP Fellows
benefit from workshops, roundtables, and advising events that support academic achievement, facilitate
mentorship across FSI cohorts, and provide ongoing academic and professional development
opportunities for former FSI participants and other first-generation students who were unable to
participate in the initial summer program.
The program serves as a supportive pipeline to help introduce students to new and ever-expanding
opportunities on campus that move them towards their academic and career goals while also providing
them with enriching life opportunities. Through the program, students are supported by a community of
like-minded scholars as they transition to college, find success there, and prepare for graduate study or
a career. For more information, please visit the SIFP website at https://sifp.princeton.edu/.
SIFP Head Fellow Position Overview
The SIFP Head Fellow position is a one-year leadership role (starting February 1st, 2016) consisting of
upperclass students who provide personal, professional and academic support to SIFP Fellows through
inclusive leadership and ongoing mentorship. SIFP Head Fellows are mature, generous, supportive and
thoughtful campus leaders who seek to develop relationships with underclassmen and create a warm,
welcoming environment for the entire SIFP community.
Benefits
SIFP Head Fellows receive:
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Mentorship and support from Staff and Faculty Fellows, including for instance ongoing hightouch mentorship from Dean Khristina Gonzalez (Associate Dean of the College, Director of
Programs for Access and Inclusion) and Dr. Nimisha Barton (Associate Director of Programs for
Access and Inclusion)
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Intensive and inclusive leadership training experience, including facilitation, communication and
debriefing skills, etc.
Individualized academic and professional development opportunities, including for instance
group sessions on resume-building, writing cover letters, drafting personal statements,
workshopping independent work, etc.
Guided program development experience, including how to identify student needs, develop cocurricular support programming, collaborate with campus partners and implement a coherent
vision
A small social budget for mentee outings each month (approx.. $10 per mentee, per month)
A $1,000 stipend compensation per semester
Requirements and Expectations
SIFP Head Fellows should plan to spend approximately 10 hours per month during the Spring semester
(from February 1st, 2016 through May 15, 2016) and during the Fall semester (from September 2016
through January 2017) on the following activities:
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Attend one SIFP Spring Head Fellow Retreat on Saturday, February 6th from 10:30am-5pm and
one SIFP Fall Head Fellow Retreat at the start of the Fall 2016 semester (early September 2016)
Attend and participate in monthly Head Fellow professional development meetings to help
create agendas, discuss group dynamics, and debrief mentorship group meetings
Plan the logistics for and facilitate a 1.5-hour monthly mentorship group meetings for 8-10
mentees
Plan logistics for and hold subsidized social events and activities for mentees
With the guidance of Dean Gonzalez and Dr. Barton and in partnership with another Head
Fellow, design, implement and produce 1 SIFP session each semester (ie: “Navigating the
Financial Aid Office”; “How to Apply for Graduate School”; “How to Maintain Work/Life
Balance”; etc). This event should be scheduled by March 1st, 2016.
Read and respond to Fellows Reflections submitted by mentees.
Eligibility
 Juniors in good academic standing
Questions?
Do you have questions about the Head Fellow position or about SIFP in general? Try these options:
 Come to one of our Info Sessions on either Friday, January 8th from 10-11:30am (RSVP here) or
Monday, January 11th from 1:30-2:30pm (RSVP here). Both Info Sessions will be held in the Carl
Fields Center, Class of 1986 Seminar Room, rm 105.
 You can find more information about the Scholars Institute Fellows Program at
https://sifp.princeton.edu/.
 Feel free to contact Dean Khristina Gonzalez at kfg2@princeton.edu or Dr. Nimisha Barton at
nbarton@princeton.edu.
Scholars Institute Fellows Program (SIFP)
2016 Head Fellow Application
Deadline 1/15/16 (please submit all application components in a SINGLE pdf file via email to Dr.
Nimisha Barton at nbarton@princeton.edu)
Part 1: Personal Information
First Name:
__________________________________________
Last Name:
__________________________________________
Hometown, Home state:
______________________, ___________________
Student ID no.:
__________________________________________
Phone number:
__________________________________________
Email address:
__________________________________________
Are you a junior?
Yes __
Did you participate in FSI?
__________________________________________
If yes, which year?
__________________________________________
No __ (If you are not a junior, contact Dr. Barton)
Residential College:
__________________________________________
Major (if known):
__________________________________________
Certificate(s) (if applicable):
__________________________________________
Part 2: Cover Letter (1 page max.)
Please write a cover letter expressing your interest in the Head Fellow position. For tips and pointers,
visit http://careerservices.princeton.edu/undergraduate-students/resumes-letters-onlineprofiles/cover-letters.
Part 3: Resume (1 page max.)
Please write a resume that emphasizes relevant skills, accomplishments and potential contributions in
this position. For tips and pointers, visit http://careerservices.princeton.edu/undergraduatestudents/resumes-letters-online-profiles/resumes.
Part 4: Personal Statement (500 words max.)
Please reflect on what mentorship means to you and what contributions you intend to make to the SIFP
community through the Head Fellow role. Please be as specific as possible.