Honors Program

Kelly Anne McCullagh, '14, first discovered the poetry of W.B. Yeats in her grandfather's love letters.  For her senior thesis, she traced the Irish poet's literary evolution by studying his manuscripts.

 

The Department of English & Creative Writing offers one path to honors: the completion of significant independent work culminating in a thesis. Such a thesis can be a memorable intellectual experience if you choose your topic well and can sustain the motivation to work on your own for the two semesters involved. Honors theses may by critical or creative. Here is a link to previous thesis topics.

 

Eligibility:

  • At least 5 English courses

  • Of these, at least 4 taken in the Department of English & Creative Writing at Wellesley

  • Minimum 3.5 GPA in English courses above the 100-level (exceptions require formal appeal to CCAP)

 

Preparation:

  • Prior coursework in the area you wish to pursue 

  • A faculty advisor who has taught you in this area and is willing to advise your thesis. 

  • Please know that faculty on leave do not supervise theses, and that there are limits on the number of projects individual faculty can advise.

  • Apply in the spring of your junior year (details below).

 

The Thesis Year:

  • If your application is accepted, the department enrolls you in ENG 360 during fall add-drop.

  • Mid-year meeting: in December, meet with your advisor and two other faculty in the department, and present the work you have done (roughly one chapter or what your advisor requires). 

  • If progress is satisfactory, the department enrolls you for ENG 370 in the spring. If this is not the case, credit and a grade are given for the completed semester of 360 work, but you will not be registered for ENG 370/honors.

  • Submit your completed thesis by the deadline.

  • End-of-year orals: in May, meet with your advisor, two department faculty and an outside faculty member of your choice (CCAP representative), who will read and evaluate your thesis and ask you questions about it. The decision to award honors is made after this oral exam.

 

How to Apply:

For the Class of 2025, eligible students should submit the following materials to english-honors@wellesley.edu by Monday, April 8, 2024, 11:59 p.m.

Prepare your proposal in consultation with your advisor. It must be approved by the department chair or creative writing honors committee. Since decisions will be made after registration for Fall 2024 classes, please pre-register for a fall back-up course.

Students will receive email notification from the chair by Monday, April 29th.

Creative writing proposals will be evaluated by a special committee. The number of students selected will be limited. Proposals for creative writing theses should be accompanied by a writing sample not to exceed 15 pages. If you would like additional information on the creative writing thesis process, please contact Marilyn Sides, Creative Writing Director.

Your application consists of the following:

  1. A cover sheet (here). This cover sheet must signed by your faculty advisor unless you are proposing a creative writing thesis. If you are proposing a creative writing thesis, please submit the sheet without an advisor’s signature.

  2. A thesis proposal of 2-3 pages. Answer as best as you can the following questions:

What topic do you plan to explore?

Why is the topic important?

What sources and methods do you plan to use? What works of literature or criticism will you discuss?

What relevant coursework or study has led you to this project? 

  1. Bibliography: a list of the most important primary and secondary sources you have discovered so far.

  2. Proposals for creative writing theses also must be accompanied by a writing sample, not to exceed 15 pages.

  3. An unofficial copy of your transcript.

Funding

The Department of English & Creative Writing and the College have a number of ways to help fund student research projects. You might consider applying for one of the following:

Tezak Fund for English Department Honors Students: this fund supports a limited amount of research-related and photocopying costs. Speak directly to Lisa Easley about getting reimbursement for expenses through the Tezak.

The Jerome A. Schiff Fellowship: Schiff Fellowships are merit-based awards available to students currently registered in 360 Senior Thesis Research and to students intending to enroll in a 360. Awards range from $2,000 to 3,000 and students from all departments and programs are eligible to apply. For further information about the application process and deadlines, click here.

Student Research Grants: The Office of the Dean of the College administers a number of grants to support student research and travel. The maximum award is $750. For more information, click here.

Pamela Daniels '59 Fellowship: the Pamela Daniels Fellowship is offered annually in the fall to support an original senior project. One or two fellowships, in the amount of $3000, will be awarded. Seniors in good standing are eligible to apply. Completed fellowship applications are due in early October. Finalists will be interviewed by the Selection Committee in the last week of October. (N.B. A recipient of the Daniels Fellowship is not eligible also to receive a Schiff Fellowship.) For more information and specific application deadline, click here.

Samuel and Hilda Levitt Fellowship: the Samuel and Hilda Levitt fellowships are intended to support the thesis work of nine honors students, three each in the humanities, the social sciences and the sciences. Each fellowship consists of $3500 and is awarded in the spring of the recipient’s junior year, so that it can facilitate honors work, both during the summer preceding the senior year, if needed, and during the senior year. The fellowship is also intended to recognize students with a commitment to service. Students planning to enroll in a 360 course in the first semester of their senior year, who have the approval of their thesis advisor and department, are eligible to apply. Levitt Scholars are not eligible to apply for either a Daniels Fellowship or a Schiff Fellowship. For more information, click here.

For information about Honors at Wellesley, click here.

The Wellesley libraries have carrels available for honors students. Sign up online or contact the Clapp Library service desk at x2166.