The John Thouron Prize
For Summer Study at
Pembroke College, Cambridge University
Deadline: December 10, 2007
The Thouron family, known for its generous commitment to trans-Atlantic academic exchange at the graduate level, inaugurated a new
program, beginning in 2006, designed to give undergraduate students an understanding of both shared and differing aspects of British
and American culture.
The John Thouron Prize will be awarded to a small, select, group of undergraduates from Harvard, Yale, and the University of Pennsylvania
to pursue an eight-week summer program at Pembroke College, Cambridge University. Through exposure to the world-renowned tutorial
system, students will be challenged intellectually, and through engagement with a wide range of carefully tailored extracurricular
experience, they will have an enriching cultural experience.
The site of the program, Pembroke College, was founded in 1347. Located at the heart of the Cambridge University community, it has a
series of open courts around beautiful gardens, including a baroque chapel designed by Christopher Wren and the Old Library, parts of
which date from the 14th century. Today Pembroke is home to 420 undergraduates and 200 graduate students, guided by 65 Fellows. The
College is known for its particular strength in History, English, Classics, Natural Sciences, and Mathematics.
Academic Program
The Thouron Prize summer program will have a tripartite structure:
Supervisions
Each participant will have weekly supervisions (tutorials) in his or her chosen subject area in the pattern of standard Cambridge
teaching: meetings between a member of the faculty and no more than three students, with a weekly research paper from each student
that shapes discussion in supervisions. This structure involves students in considerable independent reading/research and analytical
writing. The individualized nature of this system allows for considerable choice of topic for the participants. That choice will be
dependent on the availability of Pembroke faculty in any given year. (Information on faculty availability will be provided at the time
of application for the prize.)
Participation in the Pembroke/King’s Summer School
Thouron prize winners will have access to the full range of courses and facilities available to participants in this prestigious
eight-week summer school hosted jointly by Pembroke and King’s Colleges. There are eighteen courses to choose from – any of which can
be audited – and up to two of which may be taken for credit. Thouron prize winners may wish to focus their supervision work around one
of these courses.
Course Selection
For a listing of courses offered, visit
Pembroke's summer website.
Academic Credit
Students completing the program will be awarded the equivalent of 2 Harvard half-courses courses or 8 semester credits. Assessment will
be made by the Academic Director and a transcript will be issued by Pembroke College.
Extracurricular Activities
Informal and formal discussion will be a regular activity, since the goal of the program is to provide maximum incentive for students to
use the experience in Cambridge as an opportunity for intense intellectual and cultural exploration. In addition, there will be a number
of social events designed to encourage esprit de corps among the Thouron Prize students. All extra-curricular opportunities associated
with the Pembroke/King’s program, including plenary lectures, the London weekend, theatre and field trips, sports and formal halls, will
be available to Thouron Prize winners.
Housing and Meals
Participants will live in one of the very beautiful courts of Pembroke College. Each student will have a single room, and students will
eat most of their meals in the College dining room. Since Pembroke is located in the historic heart of Cambridge, there are many other
places where students can gather for meals and snacks immediately surrounding the College. Further information about Pembroke can be
found at
www.pem.cam.ac.uk.
Funding
The John Thouron Prize covers the costs of tuition, room and board, and travel to and from the United States. However, students should
plan to have available enough money to cover any other personal needs.
Calendar
beginning of July to late August
Eligibility
The Thouron Prize is open to students currently enrolled at Harvard, Yale, and the University of Pennsylvania, on a competitive basis.
Students may apply for the summer following their sophomore or junior year. Each university will nominate 9 finalists to be
interviewed in late February or early March by the Thouron family and their representatives.
Winners of the Thouron Prize – expected to be 3 from each university – will be announced in April.
Applicants should have an outstanding record of scholarship (GPA of at least 3.5) and extra-curricular activity, as well as a clear
reason for studying in the Pembroke summer program. They should demonstrate personal qualities that will make them good ambassadors
for the United States and their respective universities. They should not have had prior study-abroad experience, and must be
either US citizens or permanent residents.
Application
Students are asked to submit:
- Application form
- Transcript of grades (does not need to include fall semester grades; request this from the registrar
and deliver it to OIP in a sealed, signed envelope with the rest of your application)
- One-page essay explaining the student’s reasons for wishing to participate
- Resume
- Letter of recommendation from a faculty member who has taught the student
- Graded sample of written work
Application deadline EXTENDED to December 10 at noon
*Completed applications (including letter of recommendation) must be received at the OIP by noon to be considered.*
For further information and to submit applications contact:
Giorgio DiMauro
Office of International Programs
University Hall Ground Floor South
dimauro@fas
