COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY

Governor’s Scholars Program

Description of the Program

Five-week residential summer programFor outstanding Kentucky junior studentsEstablished in 1983Provides academic enrichment, personal growth, challenging liberal arts programFull co-curricular, residential life experience

Eligibility Requirements for Students

Be in the 11th grade Enrolled in an accredited high schoolCurrent resident of KentuckyMust intend to return to his/her present school district for the next termMust be nominated by the school and district

How are students nominated?

Must meet eligibility requirementsMust complete applicationApplication must be submitted to the school committeeSpecific Nomination criteria

*test scores (ACT, SAT, or PSAT)*grade point average and class rank*extracurricular activities and service*honors, awards, and leadership project*writing entry*teacher recommendations

Specific Application Criteria

4 Main Sections: Academic Achievement, Student Profile, Writing Entry, Teacher RecommendationsAcademic Achievement = 30 points possibleStudent Profile = 40 points possibleWriting Entry = 15 points possibleTeacher Recommendations = 15 points possible

Academic Achievement

3 categories under Academic Achievement: GPA, Test Score, and difficulty of course loadGPA = 15 points possible; no points below 3.00Test Score = MINIMUMS: ACT 22, SAT 1530PSAT SELECTION INDEX 62%Course load = 5 points possible; more adv and AP classes, more points

Student Profile

4 categories under Student Profile: extracurricular, service, honors/awards, leadership project10 points possible for each categoryExtracurricular-involvement beyond membershipService-demonstrate leadershipHonors/Awards-achievement and unique talentsLeadership project-250-350 word description of project undertaken or planning to implement (double spaced and typed in separate Word document)

Writing Entry

Writing Entry = 15 points possibleShould be double spaced and completed in a separate Word documentShould reflect thinking ability, creativity and scope of interests of the studentEntry will be evaluated for honesty and clarity of thought and expression, sincerity, writing ability, originality of ideas, analytic thinking and ability to organize material and thought

Teacher Recommendations

Teacher Recommendations = 15 points possibleEach nominee must submit 2 teacher recommendationsRecommendations must be from a 9th, 10th or 11th grade teacher of a core academic subject: English, math, social studies or history, science or foreign language

Program Setting

Three campuses:Bellarmine UniversityMorehead State UniversityMurray State University

General Info

No fees or charges applyStudents only need pocket moneyGSP draws students from across the stateNo grades or creditsNo competitionGSP encourages community-building

Application Information

Students must be nominated by their school and school districtCampus requests are only considered for major and very specific reasonsStudents are not allowed to arrive late or leave early from the program or their campus assignmentLeaves of absence are only granted for family emergenciesStudents are expected to stay for the full five weeksStudents cannot be absent during the program for any reason except emergency, illness, or similar overriding personal reasonAPPLICATIONS MUST BE TYPED. GSP WILL NOT ACCEPT HANDWRITTEN APPLICATIONS AND THIS INCLUDES TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS.

The Process

Students complete and submit all required information for the application including teacher recommendations (MUST HAVE A PSAT, SAT, OR ACT SCORE by December 14)SCHOOL DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012.THE ENTIRE APPLICATION, RECS, ETC MUST BE TYPEDSchool committee meets and decides on nomineesThe school will forward nominees’ applications to the district officeSTUDENTS MUST BE NOMINATED BY THE SCHOOLThe school district committee meets and decides on the nominees from the district and sends this list to GSPThe number of nominees allocated to each school district is based on the total # of 11th grade students in the districtStudents will be notified from the school district office by March 1 if their application has been forwarded to GSP

General Criteria for Nominees

Academic achievementLeadershipIntellectual and emotional maturityCOMMITMENTResponsibilityFlexibilityWilling to participateInquisitive, intellectual thinkerSelf-starterEmotionally StableAbility to express himself/herself in writingSense of humor

Commitment to the Program(IMPORTANT!)

Each student should be committed to participate enthusiastically in the program and to remain for the entire five weeks without interruption, except for illness or emergencyStudents unlikely to uphold this commitment should not be nominated and should not applyStudents who fail to meet this commitment will be in violation of their contract and will be dismissed from the program

GSP Curriculum

Major Focus Area courses =students select their disciplines from a listing: architecture, astronomy, environmental issues, business, communication, creative writing, drama, engineering, film studies, health care, historical analysis, international relations, Japanese, music, philosophy, Russian, visual arts, etc.General Studies classes=emphasize service and community leadershipSeminars=stress personal development with regard to values, careers, and relationships

Helpful Hints

THE ENTIRE APPLICATION MUST BE TYPED

Proofread your application and then have a parent or teacher proofread Choose carefully the teachers who will do your recommendationsIn addition to Academic Achievement, the Student Profile section of the application is of utmost importance to your selection

Why apply to GSP??

Unique opportunityFree of chargeFunScholarship moneyPrestige

On the WWW…..

Check out www.gsp.ky.gov for more information

Deadline

Typed applications, forms, recommendation letters, and all required paperwork and documents are due turned in to your counselor by FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012.