I understand [enter student name] applying to the Wharton Research Scholars (WRS) program, and is requesting that I serve as their faculty advisor for WH299, a year-long thesis seminar taking place [list the 2 consecutive semesters of your WH299 course].
WRS requires each student to engage in a significant research project under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Students accepted to WRS will join a close-knit community of students with similar dedication to academic research during WH299, which is offered in fall-spring and spring-fall sections. A formal research proposal is due at the end of the first semester and an online presentation and final paper are due by the end of the second semester. Limited funds are available to assist students with research expenses when needed. During the seminar, students learn about the variety of research resources on campus, discuss their project progress, strategies, and challenges with classmates, and hear faculty guests from a range of disciplines present their research projects to the class. The faculty advisor’s role is to advise the student (through regular meetings as is mutually convenient and consistent with making appropriate progress on the project), grade the work at the completion of each semester, and approve the final thesis due at the end of the second semester.
I have discussed the proposed project with the student and agree to serve as their faculty advisor for the duration of the seminar.