ND students have consistently won the following scholarships for the past few years:
The New York Times Scholarship: Seeks to support outstanding students who have overcome financial, racial, ethnic, language or other obstacles. Students must have outstanding academic achievement; a commitment to learning and community service; success in the face of adversity; significant financial need. Up to 20 high school seniors will be selected to receive four-year scholarships of up to $7,500 annually.
During a nerve-wrecking first round, Kimberly, my fellow semi-finalist, and I, wrote a personal essay for The New York Times Scholarship explaining our perseverance through a hardship followed by an academic triumph. Now we have advanced to the second round, which entails a supplemental application involving three more essay topics. In addition to this, the New York Times Scholarship has asked us to include a reference from a teacher and our guidance counselor. If we advance, we have a personal interview to look forward to and hopefully, the scholarship itself. To win the scholarship would be amazing, but I am just as happy with getting this far. Also, for the New York Times Scholarship to offer me a chance to advance in their rewarding competition, at this crucial point in my high school career, gives me hope and the drive to continue working hard, striving for more. Most importantly, my future seems a little bit brighter.
~ Paulina, Class of 2007, New York Times Scholarship Semi-finalist
Being chosen as a semifinalist for the New York Times Scholarship program is a great honor welcomed at the peak of my high school career. This opportunity has come at a perfect time, giving me the push I need to further succeed in my studies and work to my potential as the conclusion of my senior year nears. This experience has been an amazing one. Being able to share a piece of myself and gaining recognition for expressing a passion that developed in the face of adversity inspires me to continue on the path toward college success and a gratifying career.
~ Kimberly, Class of 2007, New York Times Scholarship Semi-finalist
The Posse Scholarship: The Posse Foundation identifies high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential who may be overlooked by traditional college selection processes. The Foundation extends to these students the opportunity to pursue personal and academic excellence by placing them in supportive, multicultural teams of 10 students. The Foundation's partner universities award Posse Scholars four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarships. Posse Scholars are leaders in their high schools and communities; are committed to their education and demonstrate academic potential; are interested in teamwork and diversity; are positive, motivated, talented, ambitious young people.
I felt honored when the counseling department first informed me of my nomination to attend the Posse Scholarship meeting. During the large group interview in late September, I met many exceptional students from schools all over the city. We participated in several activities, one which even included singing. I remember having fun and thinking they had a unique process for selecting their scholars. A week later, I received a letter that stated they had invited me to the next phase, the semi-finalist round, which involved an individual interview that lasted about thirty minutes. I attended this meeting during mid-October and received a letter by mid-November congratulating me on becoming a Finalist for the 5th Posse at Trinity College. The final phase included an application drop off during the end of November and a Finalist Meeting in mid-December. The Finalist Meeting consisted of another group interview, this time with other Trinity College Finalists, a team from Trinity College , including the Dean of Admissions, and the Posse staff. This final interview reminded me of the first interview, only this time, twenty-four students attended rather than nearly one hundred. I felt more nervous and anxious for this interview because I had a chance to learn more about the Posse Foundation's great opportunities during each phase. I received a phone call the following day with the wonderful news that they selected me to join their 5 th Posse at Trinity College. The 2007 Posse New York Awards Ceremony took place on January 3. I could not have imagined a better way to start the new year.
~ Samantha, Class of 2007, Posse Scholarship Winner
PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test™. It also gives you a chance to enter the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs. Each year a total of 55,000 high school students are honored in the National Merit Program and the National Achievement Program and more than 10,500 of the most outstanding participants receive scholarships worth a total of $50 million for college undergraduate study.
The National Merit Scholarship is an immense honor. It has helped me a great deal with college. I have been able to receive many scholarship opportunities. These opportunities are a necessity for my family financially. My mother, who is a single parent, and my older brother worry a great deal for my future. They want the best for me but have a hard time making ends meet. I was afraid that I would not be able to afford to attend an out-of-state college but the National Merit Scholarship has given me hope. After receiving notification of this award, I was extremely proud and happy and so was my family. It could not have come at a more opportune moment in my life. The scholarship has enabled the college application process to be less stressful. I am very grateful to have been awarded the National Merit Scholarship.
~ Krystle, Class of 2007, National Merit Scholarship Winner