At the end of last week we learned that my 11th grader was invited to Junior Scholar’s Weekend, October 2 2021 at HPU.
The letter said:
She can apply in September and receive her acceptance decision at the open house/luncheon.
She was given $2500 auto merit with the junior scholar announcement (but she needs to be at the luncheon to get that merit)
She will be eligible for additional scholarships beyond the $2500.
Can anyone tell me what this is really about? It’s both exciting and strange. There was another thread of parents / students graduating HS 2021 and their reactions to the weekend, the open house, the school president, the merit etc were quite mixed.
I’d love to know:
How many ‘junior scholar awards’ are given?
How many different luncheons/open house weekends to they have? Just one (like it’s a very special intimate event) or many more?
They say you’ll receive your admission decision at the luncheon … so, everyone gets in if they attend the luncheon?
It looks like her guidance counselor nominated her. How many students can the GC nominate? Wondering if he handpicked my dd as a good match for HPU or sent the names of any student with certain stats?
As I said, this is exciting and I don’t mean to be disrespectful by asking so many questions. We live in the northeast. We can get to HPU for the scholars weekend if this is the opportunity it seems to be, but it’s not an easy trip for us.
It’s marketing. They are master marketers ? Is it a school in your consideration set ? If not forget about it. Btw we drive through. The school is immaculate. Really nice. Almost fake it’s so nice.
My son was selected as a junior scholar- it’s an amazing first opportunity for scholarship money and early acceptance to HPU. My son has chosen to enroll at HPU next fall and was accepted to all of his other choices including some more “prestigious” colleges . We love HPU so far and as many we thought it was “fake” and seemed too good to be true. In reality, it is very much a real thing- as with anything it is not for everyone. You hear a lot of judgement from persons with no real experience with this institution, do yourself a favor and check it out to see if it’s for you and your children. Things have changed in the 25 years since I attended college and most universities have not. Do they really prepare your children for their careers? I can say that mine which was a top national public university did not.
I said - Is it a school in your consideration set ?
The reason is - these type of programs are great - if you’re going to possibly go to that school. They get you a leg up on scholarship money - because they know if you go and enjoy, you have one foot in the door. My son did a one week engineering session at Purdue, and while he chose Alabama, Purdue offered him $10K - and they rarely offer anyone. So from that POV, if it’s possible you’ll attend permanently, then sure go. If not, I would not see value.
Just fake - in that it’s like Disney World. I didn’t say it’s not a real school. But yes, they are master marketers - I mean, when you show up for a tour, they have your name electronically written on a parking space. Their dorms are sometmes rated #1. Doesn’t mean it’s not a good university. I’m sure like everywhere, it’s what you put into it. But it’s definitely one appealing to those who want an idyllic setting.
Answering here based on my son’s experience this past year. Honestly, HPU was not his top choice at the time but our experiences along the way and the scholarships offered (including the honors program) really sealed the deal.
How many ‘junior scholar awards’ are given? Not sure, it is a good introduction to get quality candidates for HPU and to get you early access to information about the school and campus. There are additional open houses, presidential scholars weekend in the spring for interviews, etc.
How many different luncheons/open house weekends to they have? Just one (like it’s a very special intimate event) or many more? There is only one Junior Scholars luncheon that I am aware of. We attended last fall- it included a good mix of NC seniors as well as those from around the US.
They say you’ll receive your admission decision at the luncheon … so, everyone gets in if they attend the luncheon? Yes, all those admitted as junior scholars and invited to the luncheon are offered admission to the school and likely will receive additional scholarship money. They can and do increase the scholarship offer at the luncheon.
It looks like her guidance counselor nominated her. How many students can the GC nominate? Wondering if he handpicked my dd as a good match for HPU or sent the names of any student with certain stats? We actually requested nomination from our GC based on interest in the program. It might be good to ask your GC specifically about their nominations.
Hi, I am a high school senior about to graduate. I am Valedictorian of my high school class. I applied to and was accepted to many North Carolina schools including UNC Chapel Hill. I will be attending HPU this fall as a Junior Scholar, Presidential Scholar and Honors Student. I attended the Junior Scholar lunch in 2020.
There are not many students that are Junior Scholars. I do not know a specific number, but while I attended the lunch it looked to have a max of 30-40 students.
There is only one Junior Scholar luncheon. It is combined with a regular Open House event. There will be Junior Scholars as well as students just visiting. When it comes time for lunch the Junior Scholars make their way to a special, more intimate lunch where they are given purple cords to wear to high school and college graduation.
You will receive your admissions decision at the special Junior Scholars lunch. I believe everyone who is selected as a Junior Scholar is accepted. I think everyone who was there last year was accepted.
I am not sure about the guidance counselor part. I had been researching different scholarship opportunities after I toured HPU and loved it when I learned about the Junior Scholars program. I asked my counselor to nominate me for the program. I attend a public NC high school not too far from HPU and he had never heard of the program, so I do not believe it is a very well known program even for guidance counselors if that helps.
Just a tip- the $2500 Junior Scholars scholarship will be replaced by the Presidential Scholarship (a merit based scholarship program that all students have access to, but as a Junior Scholar your daughter will be considered first) in your daughter’s senior year if you continue to peruse HPU.
If your daughter does like HPU do not be discouraged by the price. It is possible to build up scholarship money. I was able to get my total cost to be less than the public in state schools that I was accepted to.
** When trying to earn more scholarship money through the Presidential Scholars program later on, it’s important to note that a full tuition scholarship is possible. However it is my understanding that other merit based scholarships cannot be stacked on top of that. I did not earn a full tuition scholarship, but did earn other various scholarships that brought my total tuition to cost less than the price would have been if I earned the full tuition scholarship and was not able to stack my other scholarship earning on top of that. ** (Do not quote me in that. That is just how my parents and I understand the scholarship process)
I hope this helps! If your daughter is even somewhat interested in HPU, I would recommend attending the Junior Scholars program. If you have any other admissions related questions I’d be happy to answer anything I can. Good luck in the upcoming college admissions process!
Hello,
My daughter’s counselor sent in the application for this opportunity at High Point University. Could you tell me when she will receive the “results “?
We have toured the University. She is interested in the fast track pharmacy program.