I'm thinking Jefferson...

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Howdy folks! First post here...
I'm from Maryland and want to go to UVa but am unable to afford it unless I'm a Jefferson scholar. I think I'm a relatively high-level student, but every Jefferson scholar applicant is.
Any chance you could tell me if I'm on the right track?
(And keep in mind, I'm a junior about to finish up the year, so some of these numbers, like the GPA, are a projection for the end of the month).</p>

<p>Numbers:
*GPA: * 4.0, 4.79
*SAT: * Critical Reading 750 | Math 710 | Writing 720 | Total 2180
*Societies: * National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Scholars Program (basically like another honor society, but only in my school)
*AP: *
Last year: Gov-4 | Comp. Sci. A-5
This year: Spanish Language, English Language, Calc AB, Microecon., World History (so no scores yet)
Next year: Spanish Literature, English Literature, Calc BC, Comparative Gov't, Physics (scheduled)
*Class Rank: * 2/300-ish (projected, we don't know for sure)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars
FBLA: (Future Business Leaders of America) every year
Co-founder of the Young Republicans club in my school
Acted in school's production of Romeo and Juliet
Stage crew/set constuction in two school plays
Elected the HCASC Representative for my school's SGA
-SGA = Student Government Association
-HCASC = Howard County Association of Student Councils
-Elected by entire school body
-Basically a part of the "inner circle" of both school and county student councils</p>

<p>Service
Volunteered with Special Olympics in my county
Bunches with my church (soup kitchen, canned food drives, etc)
Taught theatre at my church's Vacation Bible School
Mission Trip to NY (and one planned for this summer to Ohio)</p>

<p>Work Experience
Computer Programmer for Sofiac Inc., a small software company
Website Developer for my county's library system</p>

<p>Leadership
Member of the Session (ruling board) of my church
-elected by church body
-only youth on a board of 9 individuals, the rest adults
Member, secretary, of the Baltimore Presbytery Youth Council
-Representative of the youth in 75 churches in the area
Vice-President of the FBLA, sophomore year
HCASC Rep (see above, under extra-curriculars)</p>

<p>Awards
1st place, two years in a row, FBLA regional competition for Database Design
1st place, 11th grade, FBLA state competition for Database Design
2nd place, 10th grade, FBLA Website Design competition
Traveled to Texas for Computer Science competition</p>

<p>Misc.<a href="not%20sure%20what%20this%20would%20be">/u</a>
Part of a student-run business in my school, we make websites for people. I have been involved in 6 different websites, construction, maintenence, etc.
-Served as project leader for three of these
-Interact with local business people, write contracts, get money!</p>

<hr>

<p>My school only opened in 2005, so we haven't been a part of the Jefferson Scholars program. I contacted the program, asked how to get us added, talked to our counselors, and got us a part. So now, I can be nominated.
I plan on asking the counselors flat our for the nomination (I expect to get it; I did get us into the program, after all).</p>

<p>I feel like I might be lacking in SAT scores, but I took SATs on May 3rd and don't yet know the results, so perhaps we'll have luck there.</p>

<p>I want honesty-even if it is bad. Please don't just get my hopes up!</p>

<p>(And sorry for the lenghthy post. I know you really don't care...)</p>

2

<p>I'm a Jefferson scholar and this spring I went through the selection process, so I hope I can help some.
The most competitive part of the process is the regional interview, where they choose 1-2 out of 10-20 nominees to be finalists.
To really stand out in that pool the most important thing is to make them like you- let your personality shine through. Your GPA is good, SATs are ok, I don't think SATs matter that much- I know I met finalists with lower (not that I went around asking, but other people did).
So instead of trying to raise your scores, spend the time working on writing creatively and passionately. If you get to regional interviews (most nominees do), make them laugh if you're naturally funny, spend time going over possible questions- look at other posts on this site- and come up with real, thoughtful answers- NOT what you think you're supposed to say. My regional chair said one reason they picked me was because I seemed comfortable interviewing and my answers were original.</p>

<p>I really don't know how to judge your extracurriculars. The fact that you are involved in lots of different disciplines, but are dedicated to them, speaks well. Also bring up the fact that you took the initiative to put your school on the list. </p>

<p>Don't get your hopes up- I am still surprised that I got the Jeff. I met so many incredibly accomplished people at the weekend who did not get it. But if they pick you, they have a reason; it's impossible for you to know who they're looking for. Be yourself, do and talk about things you find interesting, and your personality will come through!</p>

3

<p>Thanks.
Anybody else able to critique what I have? Not necessarily for the Jefferson scholarship, but for higher-up-ish schools (I don't think I want to go Ivy, but I'm not so sure).</p>

4

<p>President Dunn,</p>

<p>The Jefferson is just one of many programs offered at colleges. I know that the U. of Richmond has its Richmond Scholars program. Emory has an excellent scholars program, too. My son will be our nominee for the Jefferson -- we are small, rural school in VA. He likes UVA, but he also knows that there are other schools with other programs. UNC has the Morehead. Brandeis has a wonderful program for scholars. So does Boston College. I would do some research on the threads for good merit aid. That may help.</p>