The Community of Scholars (COS) Campus Visit Program introduces prospective graduate students from populations underrepresented in graduate education to their admitting graduate programs, to prospective graduate students in other units, and to current Illinois graduate students across campus. These interactions over the three day period enable admitted students to gain a stronger sense of the dynamic and diverse community of underrepresented scholars on our campus.

While on campus, visiting students are given an opportunity to attend small group research presentations in their general areas of interest through the COS Research Symposium. We believe this collegial environment creates opportunities for students to build friendships and develop a sense of community prior to matriculation and to learn about the kinds of research that is conducted by current graduate students.

Through COS, visiting students from underrepresented populations are able to connect with faculty and fellow graduate students who have similar experiences and backgrounds. This campuswide recruitment event allows prospective students to meet, talk, and interact with other COS students who are also considering enrolling at Illinois. In addition, COS participants are given an opportunity to interact with current graduate students from underrepresented populations to ask about departmental practices, the campus climate, and available resources on campus and in the community for graduate students. In this way, COS enables visiting students to see themselves as members of a larger community of scholars before enrolling.

We hope this shared experience will influence positively the decision-making process and enhance a collective spirit and enthusiasm for our campus.

2020 Community of Scholars Schedule of Events

If you have questions about the Community of Scholars Campus Visit Program, please contact I-COS@illinois.edu.