 |
Daily Digest Archive for December 26, 2002
|
Q: (Initially posted on December 24, 2002) FROM MENTEE ERIN
R. IN KY
I am applying for a camp called Governor's Scholars
Program. It is for 5 weeks in 3 colleges in KY. I was
wondering if any mentors are involved in this program?
If so, how hard is it to get in and what
qualifications are looked at the most?
|
December 26, 2002
A: FROM MENTOR REGINA SIZEMORE
IN KY
Erin I have been on the screening committee in my district for
3 years in
determining, which applicants have been sent on to the state
screening
committee. My experience has been that we look at students with
varied
interest, activities, and potential to academically do well.
My experience has been (but not limited to these) students with
high GPA's
haven taken the most rigorous course work available at their
school receive
a great deal of consideration. Students also with good ACT (<
24) or SAT (<
600 in math or verbal) scores seem to have a better chance.
But I want to
stress that grades and academic performance are not the only
major criteria.
They look at extracurricular activities such as sports, academic
team, band,
employment, community and church activities. The more activities
that you
include in your application, the more unique you will appear
in the
applicant pool. Even if you baby-sit or house clean, these are
activities
outside of your school day. I have seen students who might not
academically
be at the top of their school or district but because of extra-ordinary
reasons they are chosen for participation in the program.
Some points that I would stress are to include all of your activities
that
you participate, especially any with leadership capacity. Make
the
application neat. If your references can not type it, have them
scan the
form in or type it and cut and paste copies on the original
and then photo
copy that. The more professional the application looks the more
attention it
will get. I also STRESS that the most important part is the
essay. In your
essay try to give a picture of yourself that makes you stand
out from all
the other applicants. If you have had some hardship or illness
in your
family or life, perhaps the first in your family to consider
college or
something that makes you different, make sure that you tell
that part of
your background in the essay.
This application process is a good exercise. It will prepare
you for the
college application process. You must remember that you are
a just a bunch
of numbers to those reading the applications and anything that
you can
include that makes you different will increase your chances
of being chosen.
Good luck, the Governor's Scholar program is an excellent opportunity
for
students between their junior and senior year.
********************
December 26, 2002
A: FROM MENTOR KAT DRENNON
IN KY
Congratulations on applying for Governor's Scholars' Program!
I am an alum
of that program, from 1997, and can say with surety that it
was one of the
defining moments of my life.
As to getting in, that depends on your district and the number
of applicants
from your school. Each school is allotted a particular number
of students
it may send based on the school's class size. I was from Calloway
County
High, and we had 4 opening. If the number of student who apply
is equal
to or less than the number of opening, then the odds are you
will get in.
If competion is greater at your school, though, then you will
have to depend
on the strength of your application. There were 5 applicants
from my school,
so the competition wasn't very much, but strength of application
is, none-the-less,
the way to lean.
I would suggest you get some strong reccommendations from teachers
or civic
leaders in your community who know you well and can play up
your strong points.
Also, you must write an essay. Your essay should be well developed
and
reflect your personal voice. I would suggest getting it edited
with suggestions
from your English teacher, as they may be able to make some
strong suggestions
on ways to help if your essay seems weak in points. And be unique,
stand-out
among the applicants. Individuality is strongly encouraged in
GSPers.
I hope you get in. It is a deeply personal experience that only
other GSPers
understand. Good luck and let me know if you succeed.
|
| END |
|
 |
