Transcription

1 OXBRIDGE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION 2017 Thank you for your interest in applying for a scholarship for Oxbridge Academic Programs. Below you will find some important points of information that you should bear in mind as you read through this packet. The Scholarship Process: Select a program and the type of scholarship you are interested in. Make sure that your application is complete by using the checklist on pages 5-6. All applications must be mailed to the address below. PLEASE NOTE: Applications that are ed, faxed, or arrive via post after the deadlines will not be considered. Mailing address for all completed scholarship applications: Oxbridge Academic Programs Attn: Scholarship Committee 49 West 45 th Street, 12th Floor New York, NY Please note that scholarships are awarded based on both a student s academic performance and financial need. Only students who would not otherwise be able to afford a program are eligible for our scholarships. Students may only apply to a program using either a scholarship or a regular application (found online or in the back of the brochure), but not both. The $1050 deposit required with the regular application is waived for scholarship applicants. Additional sources of funding can be found on the last page of this packet. You will hear from the Scholarship Committee within one month of the deadline. Good Luck! PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THIS PACKET CAREFULLY If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at or , or send an to: info@oxbridgeprograms.com

2 A. GENERAL CRITERIA FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS Each year we offer a number of competitive scholarships for our programs. Sponsored by the Foundation for International Education, they are open to all students worldwide currently in grades 8-11 who have not participated in one of our programs in the past. Scholarships are highly selective. Our entire field of applicants is strong, and the winners are truly extraordinary. We do not want to discourage you from applying, but please bear in mind that the competition is formidable and your chances of winning are numerically quite slim. All scholarships will be awarded on the basis of both demonstrated financial need and academic excellence. Other considerations will include extracurricular accomplishments, community service, creativity, character, and the ability to contribute to the programs in the broadest possible sense. In essence, we are looking for students who will bring fine minds, diverse experiences, and friendly personalities to the student body. Only students who would not otherwise be able to afford the program are eligible for our scholarships. Students may not apply for regular admission and for a scholarship at the same time. The number of scholarships awarded varies greatly from year to year in accordance with available funding. In a typical year, we receive over 500 scholarship applications from students around the world, of which 10%-15% win funding. In any given year, we award a minimum of 50 scholarships. B. WHAT A SCHOLARSHIP COVERS & APPLICATION DETAILS Full scholarships cover all program fees, including tuition, lab fees (if applicable), classroom materials, transportation to and from local airports at the beginning and conclusion of the program, guest lectures, workshops, accommodation in a residence room, and two meals daily, as well as admission fees for any program-related field trips and activities. The student is responsible for his or her airfare, daily lunch, and spending money for personal needs. Partial scholarships, depending on available funding, will cover a portion of the program costs. The required application deposit of $1050 is automatically waived for scholarship applicants. PARIS & NEW YORK CONNECTIONS: Please note that scholarships DO NOT cover the fees associated with the Paris or New York Connections, and students applying for a scholarship who wish to attend the Paris or New York Connection must provide a $300 deposit upon acceptance of their scholarship offer. HOUSING: Students accepting scholarships funds to attend our programs in Oxford and Cambridge should NOT request en-suite housing. They will be housed on a discretionary basis. Applications must be RECEIVED by our office on or before the following deadlines. Late applications will not be considered, regardless of the postmark date. International Student Scholarships to all applicable programs All applicable scholarships to The Oxford Spring Seminar Early Action for all scholarships All applicable scholarships to The Oxford Tradition, The Cambridge Tradition, and The New York College Experience Friday, December 30, 2016 Friday, March 17, 2017 All applicable scholarships to Oxbridge at UCLA and The College Experience in Boston Friday, March 24, 2017 All applicable scholarships to The Oxford Prep Experience, The Cambridge Prep Experience, Oxbridge at St Andrews, and all programs in France and Spain Friday, March 31, 2017 All applicable scholarships to The Oxford Summer Seminar and The New York College Seminar Friday, April 7,

3 C. OXBRIDGE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS SCHOLARSHIPS 2017 Below are descriptions of the scholarships we offer. Students are welcome to apply for numerous scholarships and programs using one application form. Students should submit one application form with all scholarships and programs for which they are applying checked off on the first page (page 7 of this packet). Students should also remember to include all supplementary documents for the scholarships to which they are applying using the checklist included in this packet (pages 5-6). Scholarships to French and Spanish Programs: Students applying to our programs in France and Spain will, upon admission, be awarded a place in either of the programs in the country of their choice at the discretion of our Scholarship Committee. Students applying to our French programs will be placed in either L Académie de Paris or L Académie de France, and students applying to our Spanish programs will be placed in either La Academia de Barcelona or La Academia de España. ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIPS: The competition is open to students who have displayed truly outstanding academic achievement and an ability to contribute to our program as both scholars and participants. There is no GPA requirement for this scholarship, but we expect applicants to be among the top students in their school and very well rounded and able individuals. The Oxford Tradition (current 10 th -11 th graders) L Académie de Paris / France (current 9 th -11 th graders) The Cambridge Tradition (current 10 th -11 th graders) La Academia de Barcelona / España (current 9th -11th graders) The Oxford Prep Experience (current 8th-9th graders) The New York College Experience (current 9th-11th graders) The Cambridge Prep Experience (current 8th-9th graders) Oxbridge at UCLA (current 10th -11th graders) Oxbridge at St Andrews (current 9th -11th graders) The College Experience in Boston (current 9th-11th graders) The Oxford Spring Seminar (current 10 th -11 th graders) The New York College Seminar (current 10 th -11 th graders) The Oxford Summer Seminar (current 10 th -11 th graders) AFRICAN-AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIPS: The competition is open to students from an African-American background. All applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and an ability to contribute to our program both as scholars and participants. The Oxford Tradition (current 10th -11th graders) The Cambridge Tradition (current 10th -11th graders) The Oxford Prep Experience (current 8th-9th graders) The Cambridge Prep Experience (current 8th-9th graders) Oxbridge at St Andrews (current 9th -11th graders) The Oxford Spring Seminar (current 10th-11th graders) The Oxford Summer Seminar (current 10th-11th graders) L Académie de Paris / France (current 9th -11th graders) La Academia de Barcelona / España (current 9th -11th graders) The New York College Experience (current 9th-11th graders) Oxbridge at UCLA (current 10th -11th graders) The College Experience in Boston (current 9th-11th graders) The New York College Seminar (current 10th-11th graders) THE STEM SCHOLARSHIP: The competition is open to students who have displayed outstanding achievement in their study of STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math) and who possess an ability to contribute to our program both as scholars and participants. Emphasis is placed on both performance in the classroom and the student's interest in scientific subjects in general. Prerequisites: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of study in science (i.e., one year by the end of the academic year ) and be currently enrolled in a science course at school. In addition to items 1-7 on the checklist on pages 5 through 6 of this packet, applicants must submit a recent graded lab report or science project, as well as a letter of recommendation from a science teacher. The winner must enroll in a science course as his/her Major subject. The Cambridge Prep Experience (current 8 th -9 th graders) THE LITERATURE SCHOLARSHIP: The competition is open to students who have displayed outstanding achievement in their study of literature and who possess an ability to contribute to our program both as scholars and participants. Emphasis is placed on both performance in the classroom and the student s interest in literature in general. Prerequisites: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of study in an English literature course (i.e., one year by the end of the academic year ) and be currently enrolled in an English course at school. In addition to items 1-7 on the checklist on pages 5 through 6 of this packet, applicants must submit a graded paper showcasing their analytical and critical writing skills as well as a letter of recommendation from their English teacher. The winner must enroll in a literature course as his/her Major subject. The Oxford Prep Experience (current 8 th -9 th graders) 3

4 THE CLASSICS SCHOLARSHIP: The competition is open to students who have displayed outstanding achievement in the study of Latin or Greek and who possess an ability to contribute to our program both as scholars and participants. Emphasis is placed on both performance in the classroom and the student s interest in classical studies in general. Prerequisites: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of study in Latin (i.e., one year by the end of the academic year ) and be currently enrolled in Latin or Greek at school. In addition to items 1-7 on the checklist on pages 5 through 6 of this packet, applicants must submit an example of written work in Latin or Greek as well as letter of recommendation from their Latin and/or Greek teacher. The winner must enroll in one of the following courses as a Major: Latin: Poetry and Language or Classical Civilization. The Oxford Tradition (current 10 th -11 th graders) THE FRENCH LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIP: The competition is open to students who have displayed outstanding achievement in the study of the French language and who possess an ability to contribute to our program both as scholars and participants. Emphasis is placed on both performance in the classroom and the applicant s interest in French culture in general. In addition to items 1-7 on the checklist on pages 5 through 6 of this packet, applicants must submit one letter of recommendation from a French teacher and one piece of written work in French. The winner must enroll in one of our cours à theme in Montpellier or a French immersion course in Paris for both his/her Major and Minor subjects. Students granted a French Language Scholarship are awarded a place in either Paris or Montpellier at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee. L Académie de Paris (current 9 th -11 th graders) L Académie de France (current 9 th -11 th graders) THE SPANISH LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIP: The competition is open to students who have displayed outstanding achievement in the study of the Spanish language and who possess an ability to contribute to our program both as scholars and people. Emphasis is placed on both performance in the classroom and the applicant s interest in Spanish culture in general. In addition to items 1-7 on the checklist on pages 5 through 6 of this packet, applicants must submit one letter of recommendation from a Spanish teacher and one piece of written work in Spanish. The winner must enroll in one of our Spanish immersion courses as both his/her Major and Minor subjects. Students granted a Spanish Language Scholarship are awarded a place in either Barcelona or Salamanca at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee. La Academia de Barcelona (current 9 th -11 th graders) La Academia de España (current 9 th -11 th graders) INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP: The competition is open to students residing in the following countries: Australia, Canada, India, Lebanon, Mexico, Turkey, and the UK who have displayed truly outstanding academic achievement and an ability to contribute to our program as both scholars and participants. In addition to items 1-7 on the checklist on pages 5 through 6 of this packet, applicants must submit an essay discussing the most pressing issue facing their home country and propose a solution. All applications for the International Student Scholarship should arrive by Friday, December 30, Any applications received after this date will be considered in the second round of scholarships beginning in March Students should apply for the following programs based upon their countries of residence: Students from Australia must apply to any program in the UK (Oxford, Cambridge, or St Andrews). Students from Canada must apply to any program in the US (New York, Los Angeles, or Boston). Students from India must apply to any program in the UK (Oxford, Cambridge, or St Andrews). Students from Lebanon must apply to any program in France (Paris or Montpellier). Students from Mexico must apply to any program in the US (New York, Los Angeles, or Boston). Students from Turkey must apply to any program in France (Paris or Montpellier). Students from the UK must apply to any program in France (Paris or Montpellier), Spain (Barcelona or Salamanca), or the US (New York, Los Angeles, or Boston). 4

5 All scholarship applicants must submit the following materials: D. CHECK-LIST OF REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS 1. APPLICATIONS: A completed application form (pages 7-9 in this packet). PLEASE WRITE LEGIBLY. 2. FINANCIAL RECORDS: An official document that specifically states the family s household income, such as a 1040, W-2, or If you are not a U.S. citizen, please submit the equivalent documentation of income (no bank statements), with translations to English and conversions to U.S. dollars as needed. Include information for both parents if the student comes from a two-parent household. If the parents are divorced, please include financial information for both parents, and/or documentation that lists child support received, if any. Applicants should feel free to submit a letter that details the family s financial commitments if they feel their income information is not sufficient to explain their family s financial situation. If this requirement cannot be met, the application will not be eligible for consideration. All financial information will, of course, be kept in strictest confidence and destroyed upon completion of the scholarship competition. 3. FINANCIAL AID: For students who attend private or parochial school: If the student receives financial aid from his/her school, please submit a letter from the school (on school letterhead) stating the exact amount of financial assistance. 4. TRANSCRIPT: A transcript or report card that includes grades from the most recently completed semester, plus the previous year. Official, unofficial, or photocopied versions are all equally acceptable. 5. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: A minimum of two letters of recommendation from teachers or counselors attesting to the student s academic and personal strengths. 6. PERSONAL STATEMENT: A 500-word statement from the student describing his/her particular interest in the program, what he/she thinks he/she might contribute, why he/she wishes to study his/her selected subjects, and his/her long-term educational goals. Include name, city and state (or country, if other than the US or Canada) on the top right-hand corner and include three copies of the personal statement with your application. 7. REPRESENTATIVE WORK: A copy or example of one piece of representative work, preferably one that has already been submitted for a class at school. This typically takes the form of an academic essay or a written project or presentation. Where possible and/or relevant, we especially welcome submissions which pertain to the student s proposed Major course of study. However, if applicants seek to study subjects over the summer in which they have no prior experience, they do not need to submit work related to that field. Please be aware that we are unable to return this work after the competition. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS: THE STEM SCHOLARSHIP A letter of nomination from the applicant s science teacher. A recent graded lab report or science project. THE LITERATURE SCHOLARSHIP A letter of nomination from the applicant s English teacher. A graded English paper exemplifying analytical and critical writing skills. THE CLASSICS SCHOLARSHIP A letter of nomination from the applicant s Latin and/or Greek teacher. An example of written work in Latin or Greek. 5

6 THE FRENCH LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIP A letter of nomination from the applicant s French teacher. An example of written work in French. This should be a sample of prose, as opposed to a Question & Answer exam. THE SPANISH LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIP A letter of nomination from the applicant s Spanish teacher. An example of written work in Spanish. This should be a sample of prose, as opposed to a marked school test or Question & Answer exam. THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP A 250 word essay that discusses the most pressing issue facing the applicant s home country and proposes a solution. 6

7 OXBRIDGE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION 2017 Sponsored by The Foundation for International Education in cooperation with Oxbridge Academic Programs I. PROGRAM AND SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION SCHOLARSHIPS Please select the scholarship for which you would like to be considered. Please note that students applying for programs in France and Spain will be placed in a program in the country of their choice at the discretion of the scholarship committee. Academic Achievement Scholarship (select one of the programs below) African-American Scholarship (select one of the programs below) STEM Scholarship (The Cambridge Prep Experience only) Literature Scholarship (The Oxford Prep Experience only) Classics Scholarship (The Oxford Tradition only) French Language Scholarship (L Académie de Paris or L Académie de France only) Spanish Language Scholarship (La Academia de España or La Academia de Barcelona only) International Student Scholarship (Applicants from Australia, Canada, India, Lebanon, Mexico, Turkey, and the UK only) PROGRAM The Oxford Tradition (current 10 th -11 th graders) The Cambridge Tradition (current 10 th -11 th graders) The Oxford Prep Experience (current 8 th -9 th graders) The Cambridge Prep Experience (current 8 th -9 th graders) Oxbridge at St Andrews (current 9 th -11 th graders) The Oxford Spring Seminar (current 10 th -11 th graders) The Oxford Summer Seminar (current 10 th -11 th graders) L Académie de Paris / France (current 9 th -11 th graders) La Academia de Barcelona / España (current 9 th -11 th graders) The New York College Experience (current 9 th -11 th graders) Oxbridge at UCLA (current 10 th -11 th graders) The College Experience in Boston (current 9 th -11 th graders) The New York College Seminar (current 10 th -11 th graders) II. STUDENT INFORMATION NAME: First Middle Last Male Female HOME ADDRESS CITY STATE / PROVINCE/COUNTRY ZIP / POSTAL CODE TELEPHONE (PLEASE PRINT IN CAPITALS) DATE OF BIRTH: Month / Day / Year PLACE OF BIRTH CITIZENSHIP PARENT 1 TITLE PARENT 1 S NAME PARENT 1 S PROFESSION (PLEASE PRINT IN CAPS) PARENT 1 ADDRESS, IF DIFFERENT FROM YOURS HOME TELEPHONE WORK TELEPHONE CELL PARENT 2 TITLE PARENT 2 S NAME PARENT 2 S PROFESSION (PLEASE PRINT IN CAPS) 7

8 OXBRIDGE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION 2017 (cont.) PARENT 2 ADDRESS, IF DIFFERENT FROM YOURS HOME TELEPHONE WORK TELEPHONE CELL EMERGENCY CONTACT (OTHER THAN PARENTS) RELATION TO STUDENT TELEPHONE NUMBER III. ACADEMIC INFORMATION CURRENT SCHOOL CURRENT GRADE LEVEL SCHOOL TELEPHONE SCHOOL ADDRESS CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP/POSTAL CODE COUNTRY Have you ever been suspended or dismissed from school? Yes No If yes, please explain in your personal statement. Please provide the names and telephone numbers of two teachers who will be sending letters of recommendation on your behalf. If you are applying for a Science, Literature, Classics, French, or Spanish scholarship, please also provide this information for your teacher of the relevant subject. NAME OF TEACHER / COUNSELOR SUBJECT (PLEASE PRINT) TELEPHONE NUMBER NAME OF TEACHER / COUNSELOR SUBJECT (PLEASE PRINT) TELEPHONE NUMBER NAME OF LANGUAGE/SCIENCE TEACHER SUBJECT (PLEASE PRINT) TELEPHONE NUMBER Please provide the name and contact information of your Head of School. Oxbridge contacts Heads of Schools of all scholarship recipients upon award of scholarship. NAME OF HEAD OF SCHOOL TITLE (PLEASE PRINT) TELEPHONE NUMBER IV. COURSE SELECTIONS Please remember, a complete and separate application is needed for each program. Please list two Major and two Minor/Workshop choices in the area below. If you are applying for subject-specific scholarships (Science, Classics, Literature, French Language or Spanish Language), remember to list course choices that pertain to those awards. If you are applying for a scholarship to our French programs, please pick one Major and Minor from Paris and one Major and Minor from Montpellier. 1 st Choice 2 nd Choice MAJOR MINOR/ WORKSHOP 8

9 OXBRIDGE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION 2017 (cont.) VII. OTHER BACKGROUND Have you traveled abroad before? Yes No If yes, please describe briefly below: Have you gone away to a camp or summer program before? Yes No If yes, please describe briefly below: Have you ever held a summer or part-time job? Yes No If yes, please describe briefly below: Have you attended one of our programs before? Yes No If yes, please list the program(s) below: VIII. FOR OUR RECORDS How did you hear about Oxbridge Academic Programs? (Please check all that apply.) Former Student Name? Poster Where? Teacher/Counselor Name? Newspaper Ad Where? School Visit/Fair When? Website Which? Open House Reception When? Where? Informational From whom? Brochure in the Mail When? Other Please Specify *** SIGNATURES My parents and I have read and understood the information provided in the Student Life and Fees & Details sections of the brochure or website. We understand that failure to respect the program rules will result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the program at our expense with no refund of costs incurred. STUDENT SIGNATURE DATE PARENT or GUARDIAN SIGNATURE DATE 9

10 ALTERNATE SOURCES OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE As our scholarship program is highly competitive, we suggest that you simultaneously pursue other avenues of assistance in the event that you are not selected to receive a scholarship from Oxbridge Academic Programs. We recommend researching these sources immediately as their deadlines for funding and sponsorship often pass before our scholarship committee announces their decisions. The following suggestions are intended to serve as a basic provisional guide to sources of financial assistance for the summer of One of the first places to visit is your school counseling center or guidance office. Counselors and advisors often receive information during the academic year about a wide variety of financial aid and scholarship possibilities. In some cases, there are scholarships for which the school can nominate students; in others students must apply independently. Regardless, counselors should be able to present various alternatives to any student, whether based purely on merit, local residency or financial need. 2. Another potential source of funding is your local community and its numerous societies and organizations, not to mention companies. Some examples are listed below. Your local branch of the Rotary, Lions, Elks, Kiwanis, or similar organizations The Parents & Teachers Association at school Local medical research or pharmaceutical companies (especially if you are interested in science-oriented subjects) Banks and insurance companies - although larger financial institutions often run nationwide scholarships, both big and small companies may offer more localized competitions as well Companies involved in education in one form or another - these could include suppliers of educational equipment, county and statewide educational associations, etc. Local youth organizations and foundations Educational publications and web sites Sometimes, businesses will donate air miles towards your trip. 3. There are also books in your local library or bookstores that list scholarships available to high school students. The majority of guides focus on scholarship opportunities for college, but the following may prove helpful: The Scholarship Scouting Report: An Insider s Guide to America s Best Scholarships (Ben Kaplan) Let s Talk About Scholarships: A Scholarship Reference Guide for High School Students Only (The Scholarship Lady Staff) The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2016: Billions of Dollars in Scholarships, Grants and Prizes (Supercollege) 4. The internet is also a good resource for funding opportunities. Websites such as can provide useful information for high school students in need of scholarships. BEST OF LUCK! 10