@Kmag22 yes! PTK Semi-finalists too! Lots of overlap there 
I am not going to Catalyst - tell me more about what it really is?
@RainbowBritey yay! Congrats !! Catalyst is PTK’s annual convetion. My advisor asked me if I wanted to go considering I made semi-finalists, so Im taking the opportunity to go and experience it! I will also be working to help members in my chapter who and runing for positions. I can update you more after the trip as this is my first time and Im not really sure what to expect! Also question for everyone … Are the majory for you transfer essays explaning why you want to go to the school or did you dedication a good portion of the easy to your personal story as well?
@Kmag22 I think this question will vary between Uni → Uni transfer VS. CC → Uni. As a CC transfer all my essays had 3/4 of the content about my experience, major, and things I have done before, and the rest was why I would be a good fit for that school. For Uni → Uni transfers I’d imagine you have to focus a lot more on why you are transferring. Where at CC, you’re expected to transfer in order to pursue a Bachelor’s.
And I think something worth keeping in mind is the AO want to know about you as they probably already know about the school they have been employed at. Instead I focused on specific programs/ classes/ profs each school had.
@RainbowBritey I’m also a part of PTK, but I’m not involved. I’m also in AGS. Is anyone here a part of AGS?
@ARousseau our campus has a really strong AGS chapter and I really admire their service focus. I didn’t join them because the semester they invited me happened to be the one where I realized I had seriously over-committed and began to peel back the things that were less immediately useful to the projects I am invested in or my family, work and educational goals and responsibilities. I am still tempted though
@RainbowBritey What I don’t understand is how expensive AGS is! You have to pay every semester to keep enrollment! The new campus I went to didn’t have PTK, for some odd reason.
Ok, everyone. I received a response for my e-mail, and it’s not looking good! This was what I was sent:
"Hello
Yes it is true but not all students received this email. So if you didnt dont worry about it."
Because this is so vague, I have a feeling they don’t want us to know the second set of e-mails are unofficial cuts. I’m getting the feeling it’s NOT a myth. There’s no reason direct language can’t be used here, so I’m sensing the dodging of direct communication.
@Kmag22 @Snekfest @Timothy5298 @glassturtle @defaultstudent1 @Ilovewinter1998 @Jnavas @FinishingTheApp @RainbowBritey
@Aousseau I felt the same way when I called the foundation… I’m not sure why they can’t give more of a straight answer… part of me is so impatient and wants to call them again … but the other part of me just wants to accept the fact that I probably didn’t get it. I think I got my hopes up when my advisor told me she thought I had a really strong application. ?
@ARousseau If you don’t mind sharing, what did you exactly ask the foundation in that email ?
@ARousseau thanks for the update mate.
Honestly, I feel we’re waaaay too paranoid. Friends, lets just wait until April for a final verdict instead of a bunch of mixed signals.
@Snekfest Thank you for the advice on transfer personal statements it was very helpful in reassuring me that I am on the right track. I also agree I am overly paranoid about everything to do with transfer but we just need to wait it out a couple months. Lets keep the positive vibes ??
@Kmag22 I was very straightforward and specific. I promise you they could’ve responded. @Snekfest I disagree with your label of paranoia. Anxiety due to lack of information? Yes! I will continue to try and get information for our community. I do want these topics put out there for future students, that’s all.
But, yes, positive vibes! Classes and essays are crazy enough as it is!
I am going to Catalyst I think…is it the one in Syracuse or Orlando? Because I will be going for both of those conferences for Phi Theta Kappa.
@Timothy5298 I will be at the one in Orlando
Hey everyone! Best wishes for y’all. I am an old cookie from last year hehe. I’ve read some of your comments and you are truly amazing individuals so keep it up!! Don’t get discouraged about the emails. The JKC is so mysterious that it is hard to predict what they are thinking. Every year is different. The only thing for sure I can say is that there was a glitch in last year jkc online account where they kind of hinted who was picked. I kind of doubt that they make the same mistake but try to enjoy the last semester of your community colleges. I am sure you will do amazing with and without the scholarship since you got so far!!
Hello all,
Little late but I’m also a semifinalist.
Some stuff about me:
Age: 25
Ethnicity: Guyanese (1/4 Black, 1/4 East Indian, 1/2 Amerindian/Macushi)…U.S. citizen though lol
GPA: 3.53
Current Major: Biology and Physics dual
Intended Major: Biophysics or Physics or Engineering Physics (depends on the school)
Top choices: Johns Hopkins (no decision yet), University of Maryland, Baltimore County (Accepted), Dartmouth (no decision yet, still waiting on them to receive my old high school transcripts >.>)
Teacher Recs: My success coach/advisor and my supervisor from my independent study
Essays/the Raw truth lol
I doubt my high school transcripts are any good, I skipped a lot of classes because I was depressed (family stuff). Barely passed Physics in high school with a C and then still signed up for AP Physics anyway and failed that
Uh…my transcripts show a lot of failing actually @_@
Started out as a Digital Arts major at my current college before switching to Physics
Art is my calling pretty much…and even though I don’t have any natural talent in math, I see physics as art…and so I love it, it is how I express myself
Stuff I’ve done:
-Math/physics tutor on campus
-Former PR Director, President, and current Secretary for Honors Program, developing workshops, working on STEM outreach on campus and showcasing student work
-LSAMP and NSF S-STEM scholar, travel award from ASM for ABRCMS attendance
-Member of math club, mu alpha theta, biophysical and american physical societies
-Developed an interactive model of STEAM learning by modeling Rayleigh-taylor fluid instabilities via acrylic painting techniques (presented on campus and at MD STEM conference)
-Worked an internship at Howard Uni. last summer looking at specific genes possibly related to Type II Diabetes in the African American population of Washington D.C. (NIH/NIGMS pilot project), presented on campus and at ABRCMS (long name, won’t type lol)
-Worked on my own independent research looking at the influence of 400 hz vibrations on biofilms of p. fluorescens, developed the entire project from initial research to methodology as well as procured funding for it
I have literally like no volunteer experiences… @_@
So yea, compared to y’all, Idk how I got it…maybe my research is my hook?
Hi everyone, I’ve been watching from afar and will be joining the conversation. I am a semifinalist as well, from Los Angeles, CA.
Some of my stats:
-3.94 GPA
-Poli Sci major
-Latino, first-gen American and college student, very low-income
-Essays explained my greatest hardships, extreme personal circumstances, etc. This is a big hook for me, IMO.
-UCLA CC2PhD Scholar (this is a selective introductory-level social science research program at UCLA, I am one of 25 scholars for 2018-19)
-Helping write a race and ethnic politics manuscript at California State University, Northridge
-Peer reviewer of an academic journal
-Recently accepted to one of the most competitive summer research programs in the nation at Northwestern U
-couple of other volunteer experiences, primarily in the field of education inequality, a field I tend to advocate strongly in
Top schools: Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, UCLA
Nice to e-meet all of you, I hope everything turns out well for all of us! You are all amazing candidates
@hwangpasta Fellow Guyanese-American here. I am sure that your experiences are more than enough. Don’t worry, I failed like one third of my classes during my time in high school. If anything, you making a turnaround in college is something seen as a positive factor to the JKCF committee. Getting a 3.5+ in any STEM field is impressive and you should be so proud of yourself for coming this far. The research is especially impressive.
@hwangpasta Welcome! I wanted to comment that I really have only 20 documented hours of community service. This actually relates to a concept I’ve been thinking about recently. I call it non-traditional community orientation. Here’s an example: I may not have “hours” recorded with any pre-established groups, but I’ve been organizing meetings with other tenants in my building and spearheaded the draft of an open letter to our slum lord landlord demanding change and compensation. Is this not a community oriented action? Is this not service to your collective, or your community? Where is this accepted or documented?
Does anyone have any thoughts on this concept? Should community service be only about hours on paper?
@kb199977 Welcome to the thread! I actually think your stats stand out! You’ve definitely differentiated yourself, and I think you have a great chance at winning.