Think Wide Open Scholarship

The Think Wide Open Scholarship recognizes your creativity, curiosity, and connection to our motto: Think Wide Open.

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Open to Accepted First-Year Students in Eligible Majors for Fall 2026

(Excludes BFA, MusB, Creative Writing BS, and the Visual Arts BS degree programs, which provide talent scholarships.)

• Awards range from $1,500 to $3,000.
• Renewable up to four years for students who continue to meet institutional scholarship requirements.
• Recipients will be selected based on the strength and originality of their TWO submissions.
• Only students who complete a TWO scholarship submission will be considered.
• TWO submissions are required for scholarship consideration.

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Eligible Majors

Think Wide Open is the only merit-based scholarship available to students admitted to the majors listed below.

Students pursuing BFA, MusB, Creative Writing BS, and the Visual Arts BS degree programs are not eligible for the Think Wide Open Scholarship. The Art+Design, Dance, Film, Music, and Theatre Arts programs provide talent scholarships.

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Eligibility

Think Wide Open scholarships are available to students:

• Admitted for first-year enrollment in fall 2026.
• Admitted to eligible majors only. 
• Who submitted a Think Wide Open essay or other creative work. 
• Who have not yet received another scholarship offer.
• Review the institutional eligibility and criteria requirements for more information.

Transfer students are not eligible.

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How to Apply

Once you have been admitted:

• Submit your essay or creative work using the Think Wide Open Scholarship Form.
• Access the form by logging in to your Applicant Portal.
• Submit your essay or creative work no later than February 1, 2026.

Scholarship notifications will be sent by February 15, 2026. 

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What to Submit

What Does Think Wide Open Mean to You?

By choosing Purchase, you make a conscious decision to join an intense community with a deep respect for individuality and diversity. It’s an unparalleled environment that honors creative expression, collaboration, and innovation.

How does Think Wide Open relate to academic success? To living authentically, listening and learning, treating others with respect, and making positive contributions to our community both in and outside the classroom? How does it relate to your approach to work, relationships, and how you encounter the world around you?

Be specific, be broad, be metaphorical. We simply hope to learn more about you.

Get Creative!

You can choose a written format—essay, poem, short story—or any other creative medium. Just be sure it’s original and connects to Think Wide Open in some way.

Videos, visual artwork, and previously graded work should include a brief introduction or statement that helps contextualize your submission for the viewer/reader.