Mr. Bruce GuentherGifted Education Teacher
Berwick Area High School
Pennsylvania Governor’s Schools of Excellence (PGSE)For academically or artistically talented
students, including the gifted (but, not exclusively)
Five week, intensive, residential, program held during the summer
Eight “schools,” held on different college campuses, based on eight career fields
Tuition, room & board paid by the State; transportation, incidentals paid by family
PGSE - FYIApplication process is purposely rigorousRemember there will be more qualified
applicants than there are spaces availableConsider application a two year processYou may apply to no more than TWO Pa.
Governor’s Schools
The PGSE “Schools”Agricultural Sciences PGS ASArts PGS AGlobal Entrepreneurship PGS GEHealth Care PGS HCInformation, Society & Technology PGS
ISTInternational Studies PGS
ISSciences PGS STeaching PGS T link to Application Process
PGSE Alumni from BHSDestiny Deater - 2008 PGSAJosh Gallagher - 2008 PGSA
Kristin Kemmerer - 2008 PGSHCOlivia DiPasquale - 2007 PGSGEChrista Johnson - 2007 PGSIS
Kim Gerlach – 2006 PGSSEmily Odgrin – 2006 PGSA
Marie Brown – 2005 PGSHCDuane Swank - 2005 PGSA
link to Application Process
PGSAS – Agricultural SciencesThe Pennsylvania State University,
University Park, Pa.Open to Sophomores and JuniorsFields: renewable resources, environmental
studies, genetic engineering, food development & management, water quality, Veterinary medicine, plant science, geospatial technology, toxicology, forestry, wildlife management
Recommendation by: Science teacher, one other teacher, and Guidance Counselor
link to Application Process
PGSA – The Arts Mercyhurst College, Erie, Pa.
Open to Sophomores and JuniorsFields:
creative writing, dance, performance theater, theater design, music (voice, instrumental & composition)
Visual Arts I: drawing, painting, graphic arts, sculpture
Visual Arts II: PhotographyRequires artistic recording or portfolio link to Application Process
PGSGE – Global EntrepreneurshipLehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa.
Open to Sophomores and JuniorsField: Business, finance, e-commerce (with
recognition of globalization of economies)Recommendation by:
Business or Social Studies teacher, English teacher and Guidance Counselor
link to Application Process
PGSHC – Health CareUniversity of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
Open to JUNIORS onlyAll human Health Care fieldsRecommendations by: Science teacher, one
other teacher, and Guidance CounselorRequires: Service Leadership Project in
Health Care link to Application Process
PGSIST – Information, Society & Technology
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PaOpen to JUNIORS onlyFields: telecommunications, computer
technology, networking, programming, media, multimedia
Recommendation by: teacher who relies upon technical applications or math or science teacher, one other teacher and Guidance Counselor
link to Application Process
PGSIS – International StudiesUniversity of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
Open to JUNIORS onlyFields: linguistically talented, articulate in
political & social sciences, and sensitive to cultural diversity
Recommendation by: World Language teacher, Social Studies teacher and Guidance Counselor
link to Application Process
PGSS – The SciencesCarnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa
Open to JUNIORS onlyFields: chemistry, physics, molecular biology,
astrophysics, material science, forensic science, MATHEMATICS, COMPUTER SCIENCE Recommendations by: Science teacher, Math teacher and Guidance Counselor
link to Application Process
PGST - TeachingMillersville University, Millersville, Pa
Open to Sophomores and JuniorsFields: all levels and subjects of educationRecommendations by: any two teachers and
Guidance CounselorRequires: Service Leadership Proposal
addressing community educational need link to Application Process
PGSE Application RequirementsLevel I (All applicants) Paper Applications
Personal Data FormNarrative Statement (1 p. essay to introduce
yourself)Extra-curricular resume (1-2 p. resume)Chief Essay (2 p. essay based on “school’s” prompt)Letters of Recommendation (3)Transcript, Report Card, Attendance, Stndrd. Tests
Level II – (semifinalists, selected from L 1)Live Auditions or Interviews
Applies to all “schools” except the ARTS
PGSA Application RequirementsSimilar to other PGSE, School of the Arts
requires:Personal Data SheetNarrative (1 p. essay to introduce yourself)
However, The PGS of the Arts (PGSA)Does NOT require teacher recommendations
Nor a resume, nor a Chief EssayDOES REQUIRE an artistic work sample
artistic recording or portfolioRecommends “hand” delivery of application to
CSIU
PGSE – Application RequirementsApplication process is purposely rigorousRemember there will be more qualified
applicants than there are spaces availableYou need to “sell” yourself to be noticedFollow application guidelines exactly“It is the applicant’s responsibility to make
sure the application has been filed in a timely and complete fashion, with the appropriate Intermediate Unit.”
PGSE – Application ProcessApplications available after Oct 1st
Begin by November 1, gathering your materials, information, selection of audition pieces (PGSA only), writing and rewriting essays.
ASAP, ask appropriate staff for letters of recommendation – provide them with materials and information prepared above
Submissions of completed applications vary by school, plan to be done by Jan 1st
Completed applications to Guidance Counselors at least 2 days prior to “postmark” deadline, Guidance will then mail them out PGSAS PGSA PGSGE PGSHC PGSIST PGSIS PGSS PGST
Grounds for DisqualificationIneligible (see each schools application)Lateness of applicationFailure to send application to correct officeIncomplete – (all parts must be in at same time) PlagiarismFalsification of informationNot abiding by application guidelines
Do not add unnecessary or neglect required items
PGSE Additional Informationwww.pgse.org
Info on each schoolDownloadable application materialsHelpful Hints for applicantsFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)PGSE CalendarPGSE “At a Glance”
Bruce Guenther, Gifted Education [email protected] 759-6400 x3148
Mrs. Heather Melito, Guidance [email protected] 759-6400 x 3107
Last updated 23 October 2008The Pennsylvania Governor’s Schools of
Excellence. 23 Oct. 2008. The Pennsylvania Governor’s
Schools of Excellence. 23 Oct. 2008 <
http://www.pgse.org >.
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