How to Apply

There are two points of entry into the OS program:

• Directly from high school
• After completing your first year at the University of Windsor

First-year OS students are known as Candidates. Candidates in good standing may apply for the full program after first year.

From high school

Students with a GPA of at least 85% (based on the top six Grade 12 U/M courses) are eligible to apply.

Applications open: January 15, 2026

Applications close: April 30, 2026

Accepting or declining your offer

Once accepted as a first-year Outstanding Scholar Candidate, please accept or decline as soon as possible.

Accept or Decline Instructions (PDF)

Maintaining eligibility for the first-year scholarship

• Register in a minimum 60% course load in the fall term immediately following the award
• Remain registered in a 60% course load in the winter term
• Attend monthly meetings and project-based activities as directed by the program coordinator

After your first year of study

If you completed your first year at the University of Windsor and are among the top 250 first-year students and/or are an OS Candidate in good standing, you will be invited to compete for a place before May 31, 2026.

Application deadline: June 26, 2026 (before 11:59 p.m.)

Steps for first-year students

1. Agree to complete required training modules for the University of Windsor and the research lab when applying for your first contract position.
2. Provide verifiers for activities listed in your application (e.g., professor, coach, advisor, or supervisor who can confirm your involvement).
3. Agree to complete Outstanding Scholars curriculum and attend the fall Outstanding Scholars orientation.

Your activities are an important part of your application—they are scored in the selection rubric. We aim to recruit students engaged on campus, with clear evidence of curiosity, initiative, and leadership.

In your email invitation letter to apply, you will receive a link to the Application Survey.

A competitive application begins by reviewing the questions early and refining your responses through drafts. Strong applications create a clear narrative across answers and include citations where appropriate.

Academic and Intellectual Curiosity (2,000 characters)

Describe a research or creative topic, or concept you would like to explore at the University of Windsor.

• Review departmental websites and faculty bios to connect your interests to UWindsor resources.
• Explain how you learned about the topic (experience, media, mentorship, publications, etc.).
• Cite ideas and sources using a recognized citation style.

Research Potential (2,000 characters)

Describe a time you completed a self-directed project and what you learned.

• How did you find resources to support your curiosity?
• What tools or networks helped you make progress?
• What mistakes did you make, and how did you adjust?

Community and Leadership (2,000 characters)

Describe experiences that have most strongly impacted you (volunteer, internship, athletics, arts, leadership, etc.).

• Clarify roles and responsibilities.
• Describe how your goals evolved over time.
• Include metrics where possible (hours, awards, outcomes).

Exceptional Circumstances (1,000 characters, optional)

Describe any circumstances that impact your educational progress (positively or negatively).

• How did you cope, find resources, and move forward?

Artificial Intelligence

Applicants may consider using Gen AI while drafting. Your application must remain accurate and original. If you use ideas from any source, cite them.

Gen AI can be helpful for proofreading or reducing length, but it also carries risk (privacy, uncited work, inaccurate outputs, and citations for non-existent sources). Do not share content that requires an NDA.

All applications (first-year and second-year entry) are scored by the Outstanding Scholars Selection Committee, which includes faculty members from all six undergraduate faculties, the Outstanding Scholars Coordinator, and student leaders from within Outstanding Scholars.

• Applications are received via the Outstanding Scholars Qualtrics survey. Incomplete applications are not considered.
• The committee scores applications using a rubric. Three reviewers are assigned to each application at random.
• The three scores are combined to determine a total score.
• GPA may be used to decide the final 10–20% of offers.
• For second-year entry, Outstanding Scholars aims to enrol at least five students in each of the six undergraduate faculties.

Every effort is made to complete this process promptly and notify applicants as soon as possible. All communications regarding OS admissions are conducted by email. Questions can be directed to the Coordinator at tbrunet@uwindsor.ca.

Applicants are ranked based on the following criteria:

• Evident desire to do research or original creative work for the benefit of others
• Evidence of community service
• Leadership through excellence in athletics, creative work, or formal leadership roles
• GPA determines eligibility to apply and may be used to break ties among similarly scored applications. For second-year entry, UWindsor GPAs are ranked using a Z-score statistical averaging method.

Typical intake:

• Up to 100 first-year Candidates each year
• Approximately 80 second-year students each summer as Outstanding Scholars

In first year, Outstanding Scholars are called Candidates. During the year, Candidates typically:

• Receive $750 per semester as payments to your University of Windsor student account*
• Receive mentoring from a Scholar in your field
• Complete training in research methods and health and safety procedures
• Join the OS community in social, leadership, and volunteer activities

*To maintain eligibility for the scholarship, students must remain registered in a minimum 60% course load in fall and winter and attend monthly meetings and project-based activities as directed by the program coordinator.

As a full Outstanding Scholar, you have six semesters of eligibility to accept paid research positions outside the classroom. You will work with the OS Coordinator to create a personalized plan to meet your goals in research, leadership, service, and future opportunities.

Paid placement hours and wages (2025/2026):

• Second year: up to 72 hours per semester at $17.75/hour + 4% vacation pay*
• Third year: 84 hours per semester at $18.00/hour + 4% vacation pay*
• Fourth year: 96 hours per semester at $18.25/hour + 4% vacation pay*

Hours and wages are updated each year to meet budgetary requirements.

When you complete six semesters of OS placements, you are eligible to graduate as an Outstanding Scholar. You will receive a notation on your transcript confirming your OS status and be awarded the Golden Maple Leaf Medallion to wear at convocation.

Convocation details: convocation.uwindsor.ca