Independent Study | The College of Wooster

How Independent Study works

Independent Study is built into the Wooster curriculum across all four years. Students begin developing strong research and analytical skills in their first year. In the second and third years, they gain hands-on experience within in their major. During senior year, they complete a substantial Independent Study project with structured guidance from a faculty mentor.

By the time you begin your project, you are prepared to take it on with confidence.

Independent Study typically includes:

Selecting a topic that reflects your interests
Working one-on-one with a faculty mentor
Conducting research or creative work
Completing a final project that demonstrates original thinking and new knowledge

Why Independent Study matters

Independent Study prepares students for graduate school, careers, and leadership roles. Through this experience, you will learn to:

Manage a long-term project
Think critically and solve complex problems
Communicate clearly and confidently
Adapt when plans change
Take initiative and follow through

When you graduate from Wooster, you leave with more than coursework. You leave with a substantial project that demonstrates what you can accomplish.

What kinds of projects do students complete?

Independent Study projects vary by major and discipline. Students may complete:

Scientific research or laboratory experiments
Historical or literary analysis
Business, economics, or policy research
Art exhibitions or performances
Applied projects such as digital platforms or community-based research

Each project reflects the student’s academic focus and curiosity. What remains consistent is the depth and originality required.

Faculty mentorship at the center

Faculty mentorship is central to Independent Study at Wooster. Each student works closely with a professor who provides feedback, guidance, and support throughout the process.

You are expected to think independently, but you are never expected to navigate the experience alone. Faculty advisors challenge your ideas, help you refine your work, and support you when the process becomes demanding.

This close mentorship often becomes one of the most valuable relationships of a student’s time at Wooster.

Nationally ranked undergraduate research

The College of Wooster is consistently ranked among the top colleges in the United States for undergraduate research. Independent Study plays a central role in that recognition. Graduate schools and employers recognize a Wooster Independent Study as evidence of intellectual independence, persistence, and real research experience.