<p>Commentandsuch – how DARE you not sell our program (wait; who are you?!)! Then again, you don’t need to TRY to sell the program… NJSP was probably the greatest experience of my life. The interview is pretty nerve-wracking though. The reason I got in was because I gave up and I was pretty relaxed during it.</p>
<p>By the way, I’m probably one of the more obnoxious, outspoken people I know, and I got in. I was pretty “obnoxious” and “loud” in the interview, too. The key was that I didn’t hog the dialog. You just need to have a really great dialog with the kids around you during the interview. And if it doesn’t happen, you have to make it happen. They pick you based on your ability to conduct, ride, and drive a dialog within a group of people. The whole program is pretty much discussion/socially based, so they pick the people who demonstrate these abilities across the board.</p>
<p>Oh, and one more thing… not to make you all even more nervous or anything like that, but this year is the most competitive year yet for this program (I’m coordinating the tours, so I know). Wheres in years past the applicants were somewhere between 200 and 300, there were over 300 applicants this year. This is not only because of the ridiculous cuts to Governor’s School (unlike NJSP, which is privately funded), but also because this year’s topic is particularly interesting to a lot of people (Human Rights). Something like 136 were selected as semifinalists, which is a record number for semifinalists. Usually, they take a little less than 100 semifinalists. The number of acceptees remains the same: 39. My point in sharing that with you is that in the event that you get in (or don’t get in), remember that you’re partaking in something pretty prestigious. That’s great for you if you do get in, but if you don’t, no sweat – it’s kinda difficult, and at this point in the selection process, it’s kind of subjective because the faculty are judging your performance in a discussion.</p>
<p>Haha awesome! Yeah I think I’ve realized how incredibly competitive it is, so I’m just going to go in with an open attitude and see what happens - even if we don’t get in, we made it this far which is already pretty cool, seeing as there are more applicants!</p>
<p>Woohoo good luck to everyone whose interviews are today! Let’s just have fun - it’s Friday! ;)</p>
<p>heyyyy sooooo i have my interview tomorrow i have a 2400, in the running for 9 APs, 4.0, all that stuff… idno, do stats count for anything??? like, intelligenece wise?</p>
<p>Hey gertrude71strong,</p>
<p>Those are some awesome stats! FYI The interview was SO great and it was casual and conversational … good luck! Just be yourself and you’ll do fine. :)</p>
<p>ah! I’m so nervous…I have my interview today! I’m kind of excited at the same time, but I’m just not good with current events and stuff.</p>
<p>ooh darn i never heard of this program until now :(</p>
<p>Could someone explain to me what this program is? Im a high school freshman and would like to participate in it sometime. It sounds really interesting!</p>
<p>[New</a> Jersey Scholars Program](<a href=“http://www.lawrenceville.org/njsp/]New”>http://www.lawrenceville.org/njsp/)</p>
<p>There.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, every year it’s going to become even harder to get into. The program director told me today that the decision is going to be harder than it has ever been – lots of stellar kids and not enough spaces. And now that the program is getting steadily more notoriety (ESPECIALLY with NJ Gov school in the toilet), it’s going to get steadily more ridiculous…</p>
<p>@gertrude71strong</p>
<p>I got a 2400 as well, but honestly, the SAT scores don’t really matter in NJSP. Last year, if I remember correctly, there was a really wide range of scores; not everyone was a valedictorian, not everyone got rows of 5’s on their AP tests. As mentioned before, it’s more of your ability to participate in and contribute to a discussion.</p>
<p>I was also doing the tours yesterday for the parents, and there was a really good point that was brought up. NJSP is very humanities and discussion based. There are no math/science courses; it’s very heavily geared towards a specific type of individual. Therefore, if you do not get into NJSP, don’t view it as a slight against your character; simply, this specific program is not the right fit for you. </p>
<p>Also, congratulations on becoming semifinalists. Even last year, there were many amazing semifinalists who did not make it to the final cut, who undoubtedly had better ‘statistics’ than me. I am pretty sure that the interview and my essays were what pushed me through.</p>
<p>Decisions should come in the mail in around two weeks, so good luck!</p>
<p>Agh I just want to do it so badly! The tour just made it worse because now it’s all I think about! The interview was so much fun - just imagine having interesting discussions like that for the WHOLE SUMMER!!! Haha my apologies, I’m just super anxious to hear back from them… We’re supposed to hear back this coming week, right? or next week?</p>
<p>As noted above, around 1-2 weeks. Just keep checking the mail, they usually come out the same time as Governor’s School.</p>
<p>Oh, awesome, thanks so much!</p>
<p>sunshine, was your interview yesterday?</p>
<p>I didn’t think I really wanted to do the program until i took the tour and met the semifinalists in my interview. They were all incredibly smart and very nice too, and I felt like I could have been good friends with any one of them. Except I doubt I will make it because the discussion became heavily involved in history, which I couldn’t keep up with. But I’ve heard stories where people thought they didn’t talk much or didn’t say anything spectacular but still got in…so who knows.</p>
<p>i had my interview friday. and i really hope i get in… i loved the place and it was truly amazing!</p>
<p>Hey cedarbread,</p>
<p>Yup! 
I had my visit on Friday - it was spectacular! The weather was chilly, but I still loved the tour and the interview was just as amazing! And I completely agree with you about possibly being friends with everyone in the room - there were some really cool people!</p>
<p>And lilbooki3, I’m totally with you on that one!</p>
<p>Gah I’m so anxious to get the letter… I hope it’s an acceptance, and I hope it’s soon!!!</p>
<p>P.S. Let me know when you guys get your letters! If you get it before me, I will of course be camping out at my mailbox, no big deal.</p>
<p>I got in!!! I’m so excited right now that I screamed when I read the letter and scared my mother, who is now mad at me for it.</p>
<p>Hahaha who else got in?</p>
<p>Congratulations x 239389 to everyone, it was super competitive this year so being a semifinalist is an incredible feat!!!</p>
<p>I’M SO PUMPED</p>