<p>I'm planning on submitting my app in a couple of days, but I had a few questions about the best way to phrase my leadership positions.</p>
<p>Academically, I'm extremely strong (2350+, 1/500, 10+ APs with 5s, lead author of 3 papers, varsity sports, etc). However, as far as leadership, I have a bit of a problem.</p>
<p>I did the laundry list VP of Science/math/blank honor society for a couple clubs for a couple of years, and made contributions, but I wasn't having the impact I wanted. Instead, I founded a countywide program in science and math, got support from local researchers and the school board and lead students in doing (blank). What's the best way to phrase and emphasize this leadership position in hopes of getting a PSP semifinalist call?</p>
<p>Yeah, I agree, sorry my fingers slipped on my phone keyboard a couple times when I was typing this… Next time I’ll definitely put more time and effort in my CC posts to eliminate any of this doubt you have about what I meant :P</p>
<p>All kidding aside though, any constructive feedback?</p>
<p>Your academics are indeed admirable. I would suggest just stating what you said - that you saw a need, founded an organization and led it. That is very impressive. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks a ton for the input guys I just learned about the scholarship a few days ago, so this past weekend was pretty much devoted to essays, and the leadership component scared me a bit.</p>
<p>Best of luck to anyone else applying, and let’s hope for this application season to pass by quickly :D</p>
<p>With 7,500 apps last year and more expected this year, the odds aren’t good for anyone. But it’s certainly worth it. If you expect to win it, you may present a bad attitude. Hopeful, encouraged, motivated? Great. Expected? Deserved? Not so great.</p>
<p>I hope I didn’t come off as expecting or deserving the award; I meant I was merely hoping my strong scores and ECs would merit a semifinalist call given that [Georgia</a> Institute of Technology :: President’s Scholarship Program :: Statistics](<a href=“http://www.psp.gatech.edu/pages/stats.php]Georgia”>http://www.psp.gatech.edu/pages/stats.php) indicates 69% of applicants above a 4.3 being named a semifinalist (my GPA is 4.6+ on a 5 scale). Basically I know my grades and ECs are in range, so I’m positioning my leadership to give me the maximum possible chance as well.</p>
<p>I’m fairly sure there are various stages of the award; if you look at [Georgia</a> Institute of Technology :: President’s Scholarship Program :: Prospective Students :: What is PS?](<a href=“http://www.psp.gatech.edu/pages/prospective/what.php]Georgia”>http://www.psp.gatech.edu/pages/prospective/what.php) on the right, there are up to 5 full rides each for in state and out-of-state students, but another 100 or so lower awards. As others have mentioned, the money’s great, but the perks (priority housing, retreats, guidance, etc) are also helpful.</p>
<p>Note that about 750 people are interviewed across the nation, and about 100 are offered President’s Scholarships. </p>
<p>Here’s what the scholarship levels were according to that website. No idea how many per level (other than at least 5 full rides each in and out of state).</p>
<p>AWARD LEVELS
Georgia Resident
Full ride (including HOPE) *
$8,000/year (not including HOPE)
$6,000/year (not including HOPE)
$4,000/year (not including HOPE) </p>
<p>Non-Georgia Resident
Full ride *
$30,000/year
$25,000/year
$12,500/year</p>
<p>I’m guessing it’s an increasing tier for each level; if there are 100 scholarships, assuming 50 each for in and out of state (not sure if this is a safe assumption), with 4 levels of scholarship for each group, something like 5/10/15/20 scholarships of each level fits. But this is just speculation, dunno how accurate it is :P</p>
<p>The scholarship amounts (breakdown into diferent levels) changes annually, I guess based on requirements and money available. I doubt that you could find anywhere reliable data on how many scholars got which amount. The PS program sends out about 100 offers every year, but not everyone accepts; they usually end up with about 60-70 PS every year.</p>
<p>As a dad of a PS, I sure appreciate the financial support, however I find the program offers aspects that are far more important than the financial reasons! </p>
<p>I’m thinking mainly of what got2surf described as ‘guidance’ … the PS staff does a great job in challenging and coaching those young people, and they prepare them for what one of my professors in graduate college once summarized as “being an academic means to have the right/obligation to work/do more …”. In return, the PS students get almost unlimited opportunities (study abroad, research projects, meeting important/interesting people, etc. etc.)</p>
I just learned about the scholarship a few days ago, so this past weekend was pretty much devoted to essays, and the leadership component scared me a bit.</p>