Governors Scholars Program Application Process Tips and Instructions

Governor’s Scholars Program Application Process Tips and Instructions November 12, 2014

District Scoring Process: Applications due to the Counseling office by 3 pm on December 1 st. No exceptions. Make sure to include the teacher recommendation signature sheet with the application. The counseling office will add the official transcript, difficulty of course schedule score, assessment score, and GPA score. We will also notify all teachers who have agreed to write letters of recommendation and collect those by December 8 th. Each original application will be numbered and copied. All identifying information will be removed and the applications will be distributed to the district GSP selection committee. Composition of the committee is strictly defined by the state GSP office. The GSP committee will report their scores to the counseling office no later than January 5 th. At that time, the counseling office will tally the scores and notify applicants. The top 6 -7 school scores (depending on enrollment) will be sent on to the state by January 12 th.

State Scoring/Things to Remember No ONE single person scores an entire application. The applications are divided up into sections and scored by section. Therefore, you will want to mention some things more than once. They are looking for an overall picture of YOU as a person…not just a list of activities and events. What did you contribute? How did it affect you? Some of the biggest reasons for score deductions, especially in the essay, are errors in grammar, spelling, and syntax. Read directions completely and carefully!

Things to Remember Cont… Some people suggest that you avoid using the letter as your writing prompt. Evidently that one is the most widely chosen prompt. Therefore, using any of the others automatically sets you apart. Read the Writing Entry directions carefully. Try to convey one of the GSP core values somewhere in your writing prompt.

GSP Helpful Hints Packet Go to http: //gsp. ky. gov/Link. Click. aspx? fileticket=Z 5 hllzmk 94 c% 3 d&tabid=125 Page 3: You must be willing to stay the entire five weeks. Page 5: Choose focus areas carefully. Some are very limited. No two students from the same school will be allowed in the same classes or dorm. Page 7: Important dates. You can request sessions, but no guarantees.

Helpful Hints Packet, Cont…. Page 8: Official Score sheet. Page 11: Point values for test scores and GPA. Page 12: Difficulty of Course Load score sheet. Page 13: Student Profile: “Well Rounded. ” Variety of Interests and Experiences. ” “…. be inclusive and specific with the information that tells your story to the selection committee. ” “The committee can only review what is on paper. ” Be sure that the Student Profile fully describes you. ” “…some information may need to be listed in multiple sections. ”

Helpful Hints Packet Cont…. Page 14: Extracurricular Activities “a description of your contribution to that activity. ” “Do not abbreviate activity names. ” BE HONEST!!!!! If you started the activity prior to high school, you can list previous grades. Otherwise, only list activities from high school. What responsibility did you assume? What was the importance of your role? How much time did you commit? How often did you participate? Check out some of the examples…….

Helpful Tips Packet Cont…. Page 27: Service (Voluntary AND Paid) Explain specific responsibilites and the impact these had on your awareness, growth, and development. Demonstrate the depth and breadth of your commitment to others. Indicate time involved and frequency and how long you have been providing the service. Again, stick with high school activities, but you can indicate if you have done these things since before high school. Look at examples……. .

Helpful Hints Packet Cont…. . Page 37: Honors/Awards (high school only) Do not abbreviate names. Awards received multiple times should be listed individually. Describe award and explain the importance of it. May be a duplicate from another section. Can be individual or team awards. Include nominations or any merit based organizations. Look at examples

Helpful Hints Packet Cont…. READ PAGE 45 CAREFULLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will lose points for NOT FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS. Page 46: Writing Guidelines #1 loss of points: spelling errors #2 loss of points: Lack of purpose/awareness of audience. Use transitions. The last three bullets came directly from Aristófanes Cedeño, the executive director of the Governor’s Scholars Program.