First-Year Application

The CPaMS Scholars program is accepting applications from current first-year students majoring in computer science, mathematics, statistics, data science (with a technical focus), or physics to join the CPaMS Scholars program starting in their sophomore year. CPaMS Scholars is a prestigious program for high-achieving students in those majors. By joining the scholars program you will receive all of the benefits of that program, including:

• A scholarship, if you have financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid and there is scholarship money available
• Access to all CPaMS Scholars events, including socials and mentoring
• Participation in the CPaMS Opportunities in STEM Seminar the fall semester of your sophomore year
• An interdisciplinary experience your junior year
• Additional career mentorship your senior year

Expectations

By joining the CPaMS Scholars program you are also agreeing to the following:

• Maintaining a GPA of 3.0 in the courses required by your major
• Continuing to major in computer science, mathematics, statistics, physics, or data science (with a technical focus)
• Participating in required CPaMS Scholars events

You can read more about the details of the program on this website.

To Apply

To apply to the CPaMS Scholars program, applicants must do the following by May 9, 2024:

• Complete and submit the first-year application to CPaMS through the form that was emailed to you. 
• Ask a Loyola faculty member to submit a recommendation letter to cpams@loyola.edu. Be sure to ask your recommendation writer early so that they have time to write the letter, and provide them with the information below.

Even if you were waitlisted on this program as an incoming student last year, you must submit this new application to be considered for the program.

Recommendation Letter

The recommendation letter should be submitted to cpams@loyola.edu by May 15, with the subject line "Recommendation Letter for <Applicant Name>", and address the following:

• How the recommender knows the CPaMS Scholars applicant
• The recommender's assessment of the potential scholars in terms of any of the following that are relevant:
  • academics
  • leadership
  • ability to work well with others
  • passion/interest for their major or another academic activity
  • expressed desire to go beyond the required curriculum in their learning (such as through more in depth work on assignments, discussions with the professor, participating in contests, etc)
  • evidence of being well-rounded scholars (for instance, participating in the common text essay contest, or being active in a non-STEM initiative).