Independent Study Project

<p>D was accepted and was offered a generous merit aid package.</p>

<p>We toured the campus over the summer so obviously saw more squirrels than students.</p>

<p>During the tour and on most of the marketing material we have received, it appears that most of the emphasis of the undergrad experience culminates with an IS project.</p>

<p>My question (concern?) is whether all roads lead to this Project? In other words, does the entire undergrad academic experience center around preparing the student to produce their IS project or this just a supplement to their education.</p>

<p>and to this, do the students get sufficient support along the process. </p>

<p>Main concern is that D is a terrible procrastinator and while she does pull the proverbial rabbit from her hat typing the night before a paper is due, I forsee issues when that paper is a minimum of 100 pages!!</p>

<p>thanks for any input</p>

<p>You ask some good questions!</p>

<p>If your daughter majors in English or history, yes, a 100-page Senior Independent Study thesis would not be unusual. A research topic is a likely IS project in the sciences. Arts majors may choose a creative project. The IS program wants to help your student find his or her passion and run with it. Along the way, the student will learn A LOT about research, time management, writing and mentoring.</p>

<p>All students do a Junior IS first. The IS program has been in place for decades and Wooster knows how to bring novice students up to the bar. Your daughter will not be able to pull off an IS the night before! She will have to address her procrastination issues, but she won’t be alone. Her faculty adviser will be her partner in this. </p>

<p>Wooster is proud of the IS program. Many IS projects are on par with master’s theses. Some students do more than the required Junior IS, Senior IS sequence. Back in the day, I designed an additional IS project in my major. It resulted in an additional (shorter) thesis. The faculty relationships that are formed are invaluable.</p>

<p>But IS is not the grand purpose of a Wooster education, at least to my thinking. I would say the concept of liberal arts is the central vision – open inquiry and a well-rounded education.</p>

<p>Again, good luck!</p>

<p>Well said, ici. I agree 100%</p>