My guidance counselor just told me the other day that I have been nominated for the Jefferson Scholarship for UVA. She hasn’t done the official nomination yet so I won’t receive anything official until she does. I’m sure many of you have been through this before so could you please let me know what is actually on the application for the scholarship. Are there essays? If so, how many and what are the about? Also, are rec letters needed and if so, from whom? Anything else I should know? Thanks.
You might want to post this on the UVA College Confidential page and check it for past Jefferson Scholar posts:).
My S was his school’s nominee last yr. Although he did not receive the ultimate prize, it was a fantastic experience for him. The application process is similar to the common app as in a full reporting of your stats, ECs, rec letters, an essay (they state you may use your actual common app essay if you like as this is completely separate from UVA admissions - don’t see that application). Check with your GC but I believe you will get a link or notification of the app reuqirements once they officially nominate you.
In our region (Tampa), there were a large number of high schools. The Board used the applications to whittle it down to about 20. Those 20 were invited to a mixer to meet the panel that would be interviewing them. Then they each were interviewed by a panel (of 5 I think) of foundation board members in a corporate office building downtown. Ultimately they get to select ONE from the region who then goes to Charlottesville for a competitive weekend of finalists (about 100). Very impressive group of kids to say the least. It’s an honor to be nominated. Enjoy the process regardless of outcome! Very cool stuff!!