Chicago Scholars Eligibility and Program FAQs

For details about the Chicago Scholars program and eligibility, see the answers below. If you have more questions, email chicagoscholarsfdn@gmail.comor call 312-784-3300.

What are the advantages of being a Chicago Scholar?

Will I receive a scholarship if I am chosen as a Chicago Scholar?

Who is Eligible to apply to become a Chicago Scholar?

What is the nomination and application procedure?

How can I be nominated ?

Students accepted as Chicago Scholars become part of a five-year program that includes individual college counseling; help with the college research and admission process; mentoring from adults and peers; and career exploration opportunities. Scholars learn about what to expect as college students, how to prepare for the transition, and much more. The Onsite Admission Forum in October enables Scholars to meet with representatives from over 70 colleges and universities from around the country and in many cases receive acceptances and scholarships well before most published application deadlines.

Scholars also become connected to a powerful network of Chicago Scholar alumni who are in or have graduated from college, as well as to business and professional people who offer internships, job shadowing, and other ways to build on your college experience.

Additionally, your parents will receive information and attend workshops that will make the college admission process easier to navigate. They will also meet your mentors and be able to attend any workshops scheduled during your senior year in high school.

Will I receive a scholarship if I am chosen as a Chicago Scholar?

The Chicago Scholars Foundation no longer awards scholarships directly to Scholars. Instead, we provide many opportunities for our Scholars to receive awards from the colleges we work with. Most of our Scholars receive substantial scholarships from the colleges that accept them as well as generous financial aid packages. This year Scholars received offers of over $11 million at our Onsite Admission Forum [live link] even before they filed the FAFSA, which determines eligibility for federal aid.

Who is eligible to become a Chicago Scholar?

Prospective applicants should be:

• High school juniors who demonstrate strong character and academic ambitions, want to explore their college  possibilities, have a strong will to succeed, and a desire to give back to their peers and community.   

• Living within the city limits of Chicago

• Attending a high school (public, charter, private or parochial) in Chicago

• Strong students with a minimum 3.0 G.P.A. and/or a 19 PLAN score or higher

• From first-generation, economically high need and underserved communities

• Nominated by a counselor, principal, teacher or self

What is the nomination & application procedure?

Students are nominated for the Chicago Scholars program by teachers, principals, counselors, or other adults who know them well. Once nominated, they are invited to complete an online application, which is reviewed by Chicago Scholars staff members.

Students who qualify then are asked to interview with Chicago Scholars staff members and interviewers from the Chicago business and professional community. After this phase, a final class of approximately 250 Chicago Scholars is selected.

How can I be nominated?

Nominators should complete the Nomination Form; Students will then receive an email informing them of the nomination and inviting them to apply. You should meet all or most of the requirements listed above to have the best chance of being accepted.

I have a high/low GPA but a low/high PLAN/ACT score. How does that affect my chances?

We look at many aspects of students' applications and past Scholars have had many different combinations of grades and scores. It's most important that you have worked hard in your classes, taken a strong courseload, and been involved in activities at school, in your community or at home. If in doubt, talk with your counselor, principal, or teachers. You may also contact us directly at 312-784-3300.

What is required for the Chicago Scholars application?

Applicants need to submit the following information:

• The application itself
• A self-reported list of high schools courses and grades [to be followed by an official    transcript if accepted]
• A counselor recommendation
• A teacher/coach/mentor (an adult who knows you well) recommendation
• Two essays
• A clear head shot photo

What is the application deadline?

For the Class of 2017, the application deadline is Tuesday, January 31, 2012

When can I expect to hear whether or not I will be asked to interview?

Depending on the number of applications we receive, you should hear whether or not you will be interviewed approximately a month after the initial deadline has passed.

When and where do interviews take place?

We schedule interviews primarily on weekday evenings at various venues around the city, including the offices of some of our business and professional partners. You will be notified about the time and place of your interview well in advance of your appointment.

What are the interviews like?

You will have a series of short interviews with Chicago staff members and volunteers. They are designed to give you the opportunity to tell a little more about yourself and get to know some of the people involved with the program. You'll be expected to present yourself as positively and professionally as possible.

How do you define "economically high need?"

"Economically high need" can be defined in many ways and we look at all cases individually. One standard is whether an applicant is enrolled in a free or reduced-cost lunch program at school. Another is the family's total income versus how many dependents live at home, what the family's overall financial obligations are, and so on. Again, we look at each case individually, so if you have questions, feel free to ask us.

If I become a Chicago Scholar, what will be expected of me?

As a Chicago Scholar, you are not only an individual, you are also part of a group that depends on everyone's commitment to its goals of college access and success. To make the most of being a Chicago Scholar, you will be expected to participate fully in the following activities:

Senior Year of High School

• Attend workshops offered approximately once a month  
• Support each other during the program
• Work and communicate regularly with your mentors.
• Communicate regularly and promptly with Chicago Scholars staff
• Maintain an online college file in a special Chicago Scholars Naviance/Family Connection account

In College

• Provide updated information about your college decision as well as grades and other information that will help us support your progress and match you with appropriate mentors
• Be responsive to requests from Chicago Scholars
• Meet or talk with your peer mentor regularly as you go through freshman year
• Serve as a peer mentor once you've finished your freshman year 
• Help Chicago Scholars recruit new students into the program by visiting high schools, making phone calls, or talking about the program to potential students, partners, and others
• Encourage others to help more students pursue their post-secondary education. 
• As a junior or senior, apply for our professional summer internship opportunities   through the Chicago Scholars career network, including the Summer Career Exploration series
• Attend Chicago-area celebrations and events for Chicago Scholars
• Elect class officers to help maintain ties with each other and with Chicago Scholars

College Graduates

• Notify us about your career path or post graduate studies
• Attend Chicago Scholars' annual award ceremony
• Serve as role models for the new class of students  
• Serve as mentors and/or join our Associate Board.

How many students are in your program?

The Class of 2017 will have approximately 250 Scholars.    

Can I attend any college if I am a Chicago Scholar?

Yes! The college counseling you will receive is based on the idea of "match and fit," so we help you find institutions that best suit your interests and capabilities. We encourage you to set your sights high and search widely so you can build a list of 6-8 colleges. Although we have approximately 70 partner schools that work closely with us, you are not required to apply to any particular school.  

What colleges have Scholars attended?

Chicago Scholars attend schools all across the country. We have students at the University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana, Xavier, Notre Dame, Morehouse, Harvard, Stanford, Grinnell, Hamilton, Marquette, and many, many others. See the schools attended by our scholars on the map. 
 

How successful are Scholars at their colleges?

We are proud to say that 95% of Chicago Scholars complete their college educations within four years. That is significantly higher than the rate for many students from similar backgrounds.

What if I am a World Sport Chicago Scholar and want to apply to the full 5-year Chicago Scholars Program?

If you have already been accepted into the World Sport Chicago Program and you would like to apply for the full 5 year Chicago Scholars Program, here is what you do:

• 1.     Fill out the online application here.
• 2.     DO NOT write essays or submit contact information for recommendation requests.
• 3.     Create a Word document. Type only the phrase "World Sport Chicago Student" Name the document "WSC" Insert this file into the essay boxes within the application.
• 4.     Submit the application
• 5.     Once you submit it, you will be grouped in a category with other WSC scholars that do not need to go through our regular review process

That's it! If you have any questions please get in touch with Stephanie Miller from World Sport Chicago at SMiller@worldsportchicago.org

For more information, please send an email to apply@chicagoscholars.org