<p>It says on the website that the MLK scholars demonstrate leadership and community service as well as academic achievement. What are some activities to be involved in that will help a student's chances of being selected to be an MLK scholar?</p>
<p>Ip51122,</p>
<p>I am almost sorry I brought up the MLK Scholarship in one of the earlier threads because the reality is that very few will be selected. Think about it: NYU receives around 37,000 to 38,000 applications each year for its undergraduate classes. Out of that number, I have estimated that around 40 to 60 (or maybe even as high as 70 or 80) students are selected for the MLK program. That means you have a .1% to .3% (not sure if it is even as high as .3%) chance of being selected.</p>
<p>With that said, remember how they described the MLK Scholarship program. They want to see support of Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision of a world free of racism, poverty, violence, and war. And I would add injustice to the list.</p>
<p>They also want to see students who are strong academically and in community service, while bringing strong leadership skills to these activities. </p>
<p>So you have to have a record of standing up for what is just and good for the world, especially in leadership roles. </p>
<p>I attended the reception for the 2010 class of admitted MLK Scholars and I was wowed by the accomplishments of the students. Many of them had also been accepted to other top schools, like the Ivy League Schools. </p>
<p>While you do not have to be of minority status, the majority of students seem to be of minority status. Maybe because they know what discrimination and oppression mean in their lives and thus engage more actively in activities to contribute towards elimination of racism, injustice and oppression of the more disadvantaged among us.</p>
<p>The students included National Merit Finalists, student government leaders, students who had initiated projects to address the needs of the poor and disenfranchised, individuals who had been awarded the President’s medals for volunteer service, students who started non-profit charitable organizations, students who won leadership awards, e.g., Principal’s Leadership Award, etc. There were really too many accomplishments for me to remember.</p>
<p>One important point is that you should have been engaged in activities related to the above already and it is not something you can create last minute. Meaning there is a track record of involvement and engagement in standing up for the poor, the needy, the powerless, and the less privileged among us.</p>
<p>I wish you well, but keep in mind you have to have this vision and passion that can be tracked throughout High School and maybe earlier.</p>