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Augie Choice

Augie Choice guarantees students the opportunity for the kinds of experiences that will make them stand out when they start careers or go on to graduate school.

Each student may receive up to $2,000 to support a qualifying learning experience of their choice: internship, research or study abroad/away.

Nearly 550 students a year use Augie Choice for international study, research with a professor, or to support a career-changing internship experience. Augustana has invested more than $11.8 million in these high-impact learning experiences.

Students with a qualifying experience may apply in their sophomore, junior or senior year. Transfer students may apply after one year at Augustana.

88% used Augie Choice for research, internship, or study abroad
$11.8 million for Augie Choice
Sierra Rood and Taylor Hayes

Study Abroad/Away

Many students use Augie Choice for study abroad. The extra funds sometimes make the trip possible when it might not otherwise have been.

Sierra Rood traveled to Nicaragua.  "We traveled to various regions of Nicaragua, assisting physicians in clinics, and visited orphanages. I am so thankful that Augustana offers Augie Choice for every single student to pursue their dreams, which they might not be able to do otherwise."

Taylor Hayes went to Greece. "This program was with both the art history and Classics programs so it was perfect for me. Studying abroad was easily the best part of my college career."

Matt Harrington and Tom Pham

Research

Students may use Augie Choice for research during the academic year or summer. It can pay for summer living expenses and special equipment.

Matt Harrington funded his Senior Inquiry project. "I researched the dietary and migratory patterns of wooly mammoths in the Upper Midwest. The project got me into graduate school and has set me up for the future."

Tom Pham funded summer research with Dr. Tim Muir’s turtle physiology project. "This was a necessary milestone to my goal of researching in stem cells, and made me a more suitable candidate for future Ph.D. applications."

Thuy Trang and Liem Gearen

Internships

Augie Choice can make internships possible by helping with travel, food and summer living expenses.

Thuy Trang did an internship in Madrid, Spain. "I worked as a data analyst intern and learned to do market research, as well as important procedures in supply chain services. I also traveled to 11 European countries and met so many amazing friends on the way."

Liem Gearen used an internship opportunity with John Deere during the summer between his junior and senior year. "Augie Choice helped me acquire professional attire and afford summer housing for my internship."

Augie Choice with Bold and Boundless overlay

Augustana expands student-engagement initiative Augie Choice

The innovative program, previously only available to juniors and seniors, is now expanded to sophomores so that they too can engage in transformational engaged learning experiences. 

J-term class in Bonaire

Augie Choice: 10 years of discovering ‘what life is all about’

Graduates tell how Augie Choice—$2,000 for a big learning experience—influenced who they are today. 

Ryan Johnson

To Australia and back with Augie Choice

Why does the blue-lined goatfish see red? Ryan Johnson ’20 explored this question and more this summer.