Voros Senior Thesis Program

The program allows select students the opportunity to pursue a question within the scope of the humanities, that may have developed from various studies throughout a student’s educational career. The process attempts to mimic that of a thesis paper that many of our students may experience as they pursue higher levels of education. In this way, our students are as prepared as possible for the academic rigor beyond high school.

Students apply for the program in the spring of their junior year, at which time, they begin to develop a question or pursuit that will be both broad and specific enough to discuss in a 40-60 page thesis. Students are chosen for this program if they have demonstrated academic excellence and intellectual prowess. It is essential for the students to understand that this is a thesis, a paper that presents a point and a well-developed argument, not simply a well-researched topical essay. Once applications are accepted, research begins over the summer with the supervision of an advisor in the department. These advisors serve to guide and assist the students in their research, creation of an annotated bibliography, outline, multiple drafts, and finally the finished product.

The Voros Senior Thesis process culminates in April of the student’s Senior year with an oral defense before a panel of teachers and local experts in which the student is able to explain the various choices made to create their work. At the discretion of the panel, theses are given the distinctions of “Completed with Distinction,” “Complete,” and “Incomplete.” As this is an enrichment opportunity for students, the value is in the attempt and the pursuit of something which pushes them beyond what they may have originally thought possible.