Imagine building a university experience that sets you apart
What if your undergraduate degree included paid research placements, conference presentations, leadership roles, and opportunities that position you for graduate school, professional programs, and competitive careers?
Some students attend university. Others help shape it. Students from every undergraduate faculty compete to join a research and leadership community spanning science, engineering, business, health, the humanities, and the arts. We recruit high-achieving students who want more than strong grades. It is built for students who want to stand out. Join the University of Windsor, which has been ranked amongst Time Magazine's top universities worldwide.
Start strong. Then accelerate.
A selective, two-stage pathway designed to help you move from potential to high-impact experience.
Stage 1 — Outstanding Scholars Candidates (Year 1)
In your first year, you can begin developing the habits, confidence, and academic strategies that support high performance. You will explore research, connect with other high-achieving students, and prepare a competitive application to enter the full Outstanding Scholars program.
Think of this as your launch phase: where you begin to understand what is possible and start positioning yourself to compete for the many wonderful programs the University of Windsor has to offer for upper-year students.
Stage 2 — Full Outstanding Scholars (Years 2–4)
As a full Outstanding Scholar, you can complete six paid research placements while working alongside faculty leaders, including Canada Research Chairs. You actively contribute to research on campus for six full semesters.
By graduation, you could have a portfolio that includes applied research experience, presentations, leadership roles, and connections across campus and beyond.
Hear directly from students as they describe their projects, collaborators, and learning experiences on YouTube.
Design an undergraduate experience that goes beyond the classroom
As an Outstanding Scholar, you can combine research, leadership, global learning, and career development into one integrated experience.
- Study abroad through a University of Windsor Exchange program while continuing a research placement
- Lead a nationally recognized initiative through UWill Discover, including conference, journal, podcast, and workshops
- Add co-op experience to your degree through any UWindsor co-op program
- Compete for major scholarships and awards at the University of Windsor and beyond
- Develop leadership skills through presentations, events, and simulations via the Lancer Leadership Series
- Build connections early through an evidence-informed peer mentorship program
- Live in a high-achieving student community, including residence options like Rodzik Hall
- Graduate with a public portfolio of presentations, research, and achievements featured in UWindsor Campus News
Build a degree with global reach
As a Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student and Outstanding Scholar, Jack Marcotte completed an international exchange at Jönköping University in Sweden, participated in co-op, and maintained research placements throughout.
His experience shows what's possible when you start connecting opportunities rather than choosing between them.
If you are the kind of student who wants to build something distinctive, this is where that path begins.
From undergraduate research to national recognition
Outstanding Scholars do more than participate in research. They present, refine, and share their work on campus and beyond.
Students like Simona Brezeanu have taken their undergraduate research to national conferences, earning recognition for their work and building academic profiles that extend well beyond their degree.
Read about Simona’s award-winning research.
Imagine graduating with the confidence and experience to present your work at that national level.
