UndergraduateThe Melville and Jane Hodge EXCEL Scholars Program
Thank you for your interest in learning more about the Melville and Jane Hodge EXCEL Scholars program. Here, you can find all of the information about the mission of the Hodge EXCEL Scholars program, how to apply, and what to do after you are accepted.
Jump to a Section
- What Is the Hodge EXCEL Scholars Program?
- Mission and Goals
- Dates
- How Does It Work?
- What Will I Do This Summer?
- How Much Does the Program Cost?
- How Do I Apply?
What Is the Hodge EXCEL Scholars Program?
The Melville and Jane Hodge EXCEL Scholars program is an academic summer program for incoming freshmen to the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern University. The Hodge EXCEL program is open to all students who have been admitted to the McCormick School and are selected to participate in our program after a further review of their accomplishments, including demonstrated leadership skills during high school.
The Melville and Jane Hodge EXCEL Scholars program is also a cultural leadership development program that allows students to earn two academic credits that count toward their engineering degree. Hodge EXCEL scholars have the opportunity to meet upperclassmen who are active in a wide variety of student groups.
The relationships that develop during the Melville and Jane Hodge EXCEL Scholars program provide a support network and a formula for success for our engineering students. The program has been in existence for over two decades. Each summer, academically-elite and highly-motivated students from all over the country invest a portion of their summer to develop a community of support that often lasts throughout their collegiate years. Our goal is to have 20 Hodge EXCEL scholars enrolled in the program this summer. Recently, we hired five upper-class counselors who will serve as mentors and tutors for the participants. All of our counselors completed the Hodge Scholars EXCEL program when they were incoming students.
Mission and Goals
The mission of the Melville and Jane Hodge EXCEL Scholars program is to provide an environment for the development of a cultural community of support while reinforcing excellence in academics through exposure. Its major goals include the following:
- To provide participants with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the school of engineering and beyond.
- To provide participants with opportunities to become accustomed to both academic and non-academic facets of Northwestern.
- To provide participants with opportunities to form bonds with their peers that will benefit them throughout their degree programs at Northwestern.
- To expose participants to the various fields of engineering, thereby helping to eliminate uncertainties regarding choice of major or career path.
- To challenge participants to succeed at high academic levels.
Dates
This year’s Hodge EXCEL Scholars summer program is taking place from Monday, June 23, 2025 through Saturday, July 26, 2025. All participants must be present for the entire duration of the program.
How Does It Work?
During the summer before their first year at McCormick, Hodge EXCEL scholars will participate in academically-rigorous coursework, including a leadership class that helps prepare them for their first year of engineering study. Hodge EXCEL scholars earn two academic credits that can be applied toward their graduation requirement. Hodge EXCEL scholars who participate in the program form a close social support network and assume many of the leadership roles among the engineering student organizations.
During more than 30 years, the Hodge EXCEL Scholars program has proven very effective in further developing the talents and leadership skills of our engineering students. The McCormick School of Engineering is committed to continuing to improve the Hodge EXCEL Scholars program.
What Will I Do This Summer?
During the five weeks, you will attend classes in chemistry, calculus, and engineering analysis (which combines linear algebra and Matlab computer programming) plus a course in leadership, where you will work as part of a team to solve a real-world engineering problem. Upon successful completion of those courses, you will earn two units of academic credit that can be used towards the 48 units required to earn your Bachelor of Science degree! In addition to work in the classroom, there will be a variety of social activities to get you acclimated to Northwestern and the resources that it has to offer.
How Much Does the Program Cost?
Thanks to generous corporate and alumni sponsors and to the McCormick School of Engineering, all of the expenses for the program are covered. This includes the cost of tuition, room and board and transportation for any student who lives more than a 3-hour drive (about 150 miles) from our Evanston campus. (We cannot make arrangements for international travel.)
The program has been endowed due to the generous support of Melville and Jane Hodge.
How Do I Apply?
Please begin the application process online. We cap the number of program participants at 20 students. We will be reviewing applications on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is in your best interests to apply earlier rather than later. Typically, application deadline is the end of May for the summer of the same year. This program is only open to students who have been accepted to the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science and will be attending Northwestern in the fall.
