I couldn’t find a discussion for the NJ Scholars Program 2015, so I decided to make one. I submitted my application to my guidance counselor today in school and hopefully everything goes smoothly. From what I’ve heard the program is a great experience, so I hope I at least get a chance to do an interview.
The application didn’t ask for standardized test scores, so I’m assuming the essays are the major criteria for picking scholars. Anyone want to share what kind of strategy they had in the essays? Or anything at all about the program/application process? The stuff I pushed in the essays were debate (I’m president of my high school club), USABO (I was a semifinalist last year), and various awards I got for writing and other things.
Hi there!
Glad to see there are still people who are interested in the process. I am a Scholar from 2013 (how has it been this long?), and I can answer any questions you may have about the social or academic aspects of the program. I will say that when your application is reviewed it will be done so holistically. However, there is a certain emphasis on your essays—so be sure to fine-tune those! As for overall strategy in approaching the essays, tell a story about who you are. More than anything the program is looking for genuine students who have profound academic curiosity about the world. If you can resonate that mindset into your essays, I think you’ll be in good shape.
I will just say that it is a competitive process, and one that helps you prepare for the collegiate application process. Take advantage of this, and learn from it even if you do not make it to the interview round.
Best of luck to all applicants! As mentioned previously, I am here to answer any questions about the program.
The winning strategy is to be interesting and write well. I’m on their Board and have been reading applications for several years. The good ones stick out.
My daughter applied; she worked really hard on her essays trying to make them interesting while showcasing her personality and interests. How many students make it to the interview process?
@desie1 Kenneth would know better than me, but if I recall it is something like eighty to a hundred students are invited to partake in the interview process (maybe a little more?). Either way, out of approximately 300 applicants there are 39 students taken every year.
How are applicants notified if they make it to the next step? By email? By snail mail? Any idea when the notifications are going out?
I believe this week.
Hi! I’m new to college confidential, but this seems to be the only forum that is discussing this year’s NJ Scholar’s Program. I was lucky enough to get an interview on March 28! Regarding the interview, what kind of questions will we be hearing? Will they be limited to climate issues or will there be a broad variety of questions that we will be discussing?
@hawthorne87 how did you find out? Mail or email? My daughter hasn’t heard anything yet.
Congratulations to you!
@desie1 I found out by mail today. And thank you! Good luck to your daughter!
@hawthorne87 thanks for letting me know. Our mail hasn’t arrived yet. I heard that the interviews are about everything…climate and your interests in general. But that’s just from things I read on college confidential. (My daughter is never on cc)
General questions, but we may ask some climate related ones, just to get the conversation started.
Oh well, my daughter didn’t make it to the semifinals. It would have been a nice opportunity, but she’ll do something else this summer. Good luck to everyone who made it to the next round!
any suggestions on how to prepare for the interview?
does anyone know how many people got the interview?
Hi, I’m a semifinalist for NJSP and I have been looking at past threads about the program. Everytime I read past comments I get more and more excited and envision myself as part of the program. For some reason, it never occurred to me to look at this year’s thread lol. I’m reaaaallllyyy excited for the interview stage but I’m unbelievably nervous; it’s all I have been thinking about. Does anyone know what type of questions might be asked? I heard rumors that a whole group can be rejected even if one person is trying to carry the conversation. Is that true? :-S
@JTisabeast I’ve also heard that the whole group can get rejected like that. Apparently it’s important to build up a good relationship with the people in your interview group so you feel comfortable enough to talk with them. Also, I heard that the interview is more about your discussion skills than your knowledge about climate change per se. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
I actually read on previous threads that the discussion topics have nothing to do with the summer program topic.
I’ve heard that as well, but have also heard that it could be topics related to the summer program topic.
I think the most nerve-wracking part is not knowing what these topics are and going in blind. Should be very interesting…
How was it for everyone?