Preparing to Interview
Congratulations on being selected to interview with the Cutler Scholars Program! We can tell that you, along with all students who reach this stage of our admission process, are exceptional, and we are excited to get to know you.
It’s important to realize that selection into our program (and any selective scholarship program) is not a reflection of your worth. Selection into these programs often factor in things beyond your control, like capacity in a program or the need for a diversity of academic interests within the major.
Please thoroughly review the information on this website so that you can enter your interview feeling prepared.
What to Expect
Interviews allow us to learn more about you and help you get to know the Cutler Scholars Program. The interview will be held on Microsoft Teams and will last 25 minutes. You will be joined by a Cutler Scholar staff member, OHIO faculty member and a program alum. Expect to receive a link to your interview via e-mail when you register for the interview. There is no need to dress up for this event.
Preparing for Your Individual Interview
During the interview, our primary goal is to get to know you. Your application piqued our curiosity and we want to know more about your interests, ideas, and aspirations. The committee will ask you questions related to the four pillars of the Cutler Scholars program: intellectual curiosity, leadership, service, and character. They may also ask you to say more about ideas or activities you mentioned in your application. In most cases, there will also be enough time for you to ask any questions that you may have about the program and Ohio University.
The best thing you can do during the interview is relax and be yourself. In short, you should just prepare to do you! One way to do this is to identify two or three important things you want to communicate about yourself during the interview. Reread your application and reflect on your academic interests, leadership, and community engagement experiences. Is there anything you wish you had mentioned in the application? Important experiences on which you want to expand?
Cutler Scholars Program Overview
Welcome from Dr. Myrna Perez Sheldon
Dr. Myrna Perez Sheldon is an assistant professor in the Department of Classics and World Religions and the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program. She serves as the Executive Director of the Cutler Scholars Program, meaning she has the primary responsibility for the oversight and development of the Cutler Scholars Program’s academic curriculum. Here’s what she has to say about the Cutler Scholars Program.
What is a Cutler Scholar?
There are so many reasons to become a Cutler Scholar, including long-lasting friendships, alumni relationships, and unique leadership and involvement opportunities. To find out more about the Cutler community, watch this video and learn why students wanted to become Cutler Scholars and how the program has defined their college experience.
Colloquium
Cutler Colloquium is a weekly seminar that challenges scholars to engage in civil debate about major social issues and trains them to think critically and collaborate with people in other academic fields. To hear more about CQ (as it is commonly called), here is a video of current scholars explaining their experiences.
Enrichment Experiences
Cutler Scholars receive additional funding to support four enrichment experiences that develop confidence, increase awareness of differing international perspectives, and empower students to take initiative for the common good. Learn more about some current scholars' experiences in this video.
Tips for Teams Video Chat
You will receive a link to join your interview sent to your email, please join a few minutes early to ensure you are ready when your interview time begins. When you click to join the video chat, you will be sent to a waiting room lobby until your time slot begins. We will then let you into the interview room.
We suggest you download the Microsoft Teams app for best results, but there is also an option to open the video chat on your browser if that is not possible for you.
You are welcome to blur your background or use a background picture if that would make you more comfortable. If you are planning to change your video background, we suggest doing so while you are waiting in the lobby.
Please e-mail hoke@ohio.edu if you run into any issues.
Scholarships
Cutler Scholar Awards are merit-based scholarships funded by generous gifts from forward-thinking individuals who understand that investing in education is investing in the future. The eligible population for each Cutler Scholars Award is determined by the benefactor for whom the award is named. The benefactor designates one of the following:
- A geographic area such as a county or a single high school.
- An academic unit of Ohio University such as the College of Business, the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, or the College of Arts and Sciences.
The frequency of awards is subject to change depending on the availability of funding.
What to Expect After the Interview
Cutler Scholar awardees and alternates will be notified via phone and e-mail in mid-February. The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships will send updated notifications beginning in mid-February on a rolling basis.
Cutler Scholars should expect invitations to events throughout spring and summer during which you'll learn more about expectations of the program, how to confirm your intent to join the program and enroll at OHIO, and make friends with other Cutler Scholars.
Save the date! Students admitted to the Cutler Scholars Program will be invited to a special Cutler Scholars welcome event on Friday, March 22, 2024. Should you be selected for Cutler Scholars, you will receive details and information to register for this exciting event!