FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS

Junior Fellowship Application

Junior Fellow Application for 2024-2025

Applications are NOW CLOSED as of April 22, 2024.

The Junior Fellows and Senior Fellows of Nova Forum are a community interested in exploring the past and present of Christian intellectual traditions in dialogue with the modern university. While our seminar focuses on Catholic traditions, our Fellows program is open to undergraduate and graduate students in greater Los Angeles, regardless of personal religious affiliation. (Students at USC and Pepperdine are welcome to apply immediately; students from other colleges and universities should contact Nova Forum at the link below before applying.)

Applicants to the Junior Fellowship program should demonstrate a desire to understand the contemporary world in light of the past, a personal interest in the liberal arts, and a curiosity about Christian intellectual traditions, Catholic or otherwise. Applicants should be prepared to participate in a communal and collegial pursuit of learning with Senior Fellows (faculty members) and other Junior Fellows (students) and should be eager to draw wisdom from others.

Junior Fellows will be expected to participate actively in all six meetings of the Nova Forum Seminar, and to be regularly involved with other related events. Books and other materials will be provided free of charge. Junior Fellows who fully participate will receive a stipend each semester.

Applicants to the Junior Fellowship program may also choose to apply simultaneously to become a student Editor at The Coastlander, an ecumenical student journal of Christian thought at USC. The Coastlander is seeking two Editors-in-Chief for the 2024-2025 academic year who are also Junior Fellows at Nova Forum. This position comes with an additional stipend. Those who are interested should read about the Editors’ responsibilities below, and should make sure to answer the additional application questions related to the position.

For more information, or if you’re interested in applying next year, please contact us here or sign up for our email list.

Before applying, please read the information below about the responsibilities of Junior Fellows.

Junior Fellow Responsibilities

Coastlander editor responsibilities

Junior Fellowship Application 2024-2025

Date

YYYY

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Current Mailing Address

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Gender

Female

Male

Prefer not to say

Religious Affiliation

Ethnicity

Campus

USC

Pepperdine

Other

If you selected "Other" for campus please tell us which university you are affiliated with.

Degree Program

Undergraduate

Graduate

Major or Discipline

Anticipated Year of Graduation

Statement of Interest

Why would you like to become a Nova Forum Junior Fellow? (300 words or less). Your statement might relate to the annual theme, or to general questions, including the role of the liberal arts, the relationship between faith and reason, or the meaning of Christian identity in the modern university.

Personal Statement

What is something you’ve been thinking about lately? (300 words or less). You could share a question you’ve been pondering about life or faith, a book you’ve read recently that excited you, a class that has been meaningful, or a conversation with a peer or mentor that challenged your thinking.

Are you interested in applying for the Coastlander Editor in Chief position?

If yes, please fill out the additional questions (2) below.

Coastlander Personal Statement #1

Tell us about a time when you had difficulty leading an editing process (preferably editing someone else's work, but a story about your own work is acceptable). How did you respond, and what happened as a result?

Coastlander Personal Statement #2

Tell us about any experience you have with design (e.g. Canva, Adobe Suite, Figma, etc.) and social media management (especially Instagram). Please link us to any graphics or social media campaigns that you are proud of!