Governor's Scholarship

<p>When someone gets their letter in the mail... post here!!!</p>

<p>Please, I know my D and I would love to hear.</p>

<p>We did get a letter inviting us to a reception at the Governor's Mansion on the 29th to celebrate D's academic achievements, but no letter saying D has the Governor's Scholarship.</p>

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We did get a letter inviting us to a reception at the Governor's Mansion on the 29th to celebrate D's academic achievements, but no letter saying D has the Governor's Scholarship.

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<p>Sounds like she's got it, swmbo!!! Congrats!</p>

<p>Although my own D won't be applying for it until next year, I called today to ask for some info on the Gov. Scholarship. They said that this year's recipients will be determined by April 15.</p>

<p>that governor's mansion thing is totally unrelated... they just pick the two top gpa's from each high school in the state...</p>

<p>Thanks--I was wondering when those were coming out.</p>

<p>I think I got the governor's scholarship today. It's certified mail though, and we were not home so we have to pick it up at the post office on monday.</p>

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I think I got the governor's scholarship today. It's certified mail though, and we were not home so we have to pick it up at the post office on monday.

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<p>Congratulations!</p>

<p>D did get the certified letter today. Dad thankfully was at home even though we were in Memphis on a band trip. Big sigh of relief.</p>

<p>so does the certified letter mean you got it???</p>

<p>Anyone else get the "thin letter?" </p>

<p>My kid got one in the regular mail on Friday. I was stunned, because I was led to believe, and even told by some college admissions people--that this was pretty much "automatic"--if you qualify, you're in. I was told that they hadn't given them all away in past years.</p>

<p>Well, this year is not like past years. They had over 250 qualified applicants. Basically the letter said that the student will not receive an award at this time, but as awards are declined, qualified students on the "waiting list" will be considered according to rank. </p>

<p>While I am disappointed because I wanted my son to receive this honor, it doesn't matter to him because he has narrowed his choice to two out-of-state schools. However, I do feel sorry for students who were counting on this scholarship for in-state schools--and didn't make the cut.</p>

<p>Why do I think my kid didn't make it? I believe homeschooling was a disadvantage. It is hard to demonstrate "leadership" with the checklist of activities on the form. (No team captain, club president here). They give a couple small lines at the bottom of the form to list other activities, and now I'm wondering if a separate page describing his activities would have been better. Also, my kid spent HS in three different places due to job related moves, so little opportunity for continuity in ECs, though he did have quite a few different and unique ones. He was a NMF, excellent grades, class rank, but not the top standardized test scores. </p>

<p>Hope this helps someone for next year!</p>

<p>Update on the Gov. Scholarship: The scholarship discriminates against homeschoolers. </p>

<p>I just talked to the program coordinator and he gave me this info: Applicants receive points as follows: 40% for the test scores (NMFs receive total points), 25% for class rank, 25% for academic grades, and 10% for leadership (8% school leadership, 2% community leadership). </p>

<p>The program cooderinator told me that homeschoolers get 0 points for class rank (!!) Of course all homeschoolers will be ranked 1/1, but he said "they haven't earned it, so they get 0 points." Why ZERO? (I think something like the average number of points awarded to other applicants in this category since class rank cannot be determined for homeschoolers would be more "fair") and unless they participate in SCHOOL sports or extracurriculars, they automatically lose 8% of the "leadership" points, too. So homeschoolers generally lose 33% of the points starting out! I questioned the director about this, and he said the point system was made 15 years ago, before homeschooling was popular. He wouldn't tell me how many homeschoolers applied, or how many of them were cut. No sour grapes--my kid will be going to an out-of-state school and wouldn't use the scholarship anyway. And it is likely that others will decline the scholarship and he may still be offered one. However, I just don't think the point system--losing 25% for class rank/8% for school leadership-- is fair, and makes it close to impossible for homeschoolers to win this scholarship in a competetive year. This is the first year they had to cut anyone, and about 30 students were cut.</p>

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Well, this year is not like past years. They had over 250 qualified applicants. Basically the letter said that the student will not receive an award at this time, but as awards are declined, qualified students on the "waiting list" will be considered according to rank.

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<p>atomom, I'm sorry to hear that the Gov. Scholarship doesn't treat homeschooled students on a fair basis. :( I guess the silver lining to that cloud for your son is that he's going out of state. I hope they consider amending the process to make it equitable.</p>

<p>Thanks for the heads-up that there were over 250 qualified applicants for the first time. I am going to have to re-think my assumption that my D will have a no-worries "free ride" - which scares me! I'm grateful for the info because it will give us time to consider other options just in case she doesn't receive the Gov. Scholarship next year. Thank you for posting!</p>

<p>Thanks ARMom--my shame is your gain. I'm sure that if your D has the scores, high grades, high class rank and several ECs she'll be fine. Next year's class might be a little bigger, but I'd estimate that about 80% or more of applicants will still get the scholarship then--and those are great chances! If she's looking to use the GDS for that whopping big scholarship at Hendrix, good luck to her. </p>

<p>I contacted the governor and education alliance, and they are already working on the scoring problem. I wasn't the only one to complain. I expect a happy outcome soon for a few homeschoolers who were unfairly cut this year.</p>

<p>I got it, but declined as soon as I got it. I didn't want to leave anyone hanging.</p>

<p>update: my kid and 5-6 other homeschoolers were offered the Governor's Distinguished Scholarship last week. (Not sure if they rescored the homeschoolers, or just got to the bottom of the waiting list). I still think the chances are great for anyone who qualifies.</p>

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update: my kid and 5-6 other homeschoolers were offered the Governor's Distinguished Scholarship last week. (Not sure if they rescored the homeschoolers, or just got to the bottom of the waiting list). I still think the chances are great for anyone who qualifies.

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That's fantastic news! :)</p>

<p>Congratulatons atomom! So is your son heading to Hendrix afterall?</p>

<p>That's wonderful news, atomom! So, is he going to Hendrix?</p>

<p>Nope. He is turning down the GDS and a NM scholarship at U of OK for (drumroll please. . .)Thomas Aquinas College (CA). Very small, unique, Catholic, conservative, great books program. And no merit aid (ouch).</p>