Selection Criteria
To be eligible for a Park Scholarship, candidates must:
- be United States citizens (permanent residents are ineligible), and
- apply for fall, freshman admission into a baccalaureate program at NC State.
Park Scholars are selected on the basis of academic merit, exemplary character, exceptional potential for leadership, and the sense of promise that they may one day make contributions of enduring importance to the betterment of the human condition. The goal of the selection process is to identify young people with demonstrated high academic achievement and leadership, as well as those with unusual aptitudes, uncommon talents and special gifts of creativity or entrepreneurial acumen. Financial need is not a consideration.
The Park Scholarships Selection Committees evaluate candidates on the four selection criteria at every stage of the selection process: scholarship, leadership, service and character. The committees consider demonstrated achievement as well as evidence of future potential. While it is unusual for any one student to excel with respect to all four criteria, it is important that candidates show evidence of potential in all four areas. Some indications of potential are listed below:
Students selected as Park Scholars...
Scholarship
- Desire to master subjects and seek learning experiences outside the classroom;
- Take the most challenging courses at their high schools;
- Have excellent academic standing and strong standardized test scores; and
- Are curious.
Leadership
- Assume formal leadership roles such as team captain, student body president, and other elected officer positions in the school or community, OR show exceptional success or aptitude in endeavors such as Science Olympiad or fields such as music, art, creative writing, or mathematics;
- Listen well and influence and support others by setting good examples; and
- Take risks and champion new, original ideas.
Service
- Show concern for others by identifying needs and working to meet them; and
- Find a way to improve life for those around them.
Character
- Set positive examples for others and have the personal fortitude and integrity to do what is right, when you are in the minority; and
- Demonstrate the highest levels of integrity, honesty, and conscientiousness.
Helpful Links
Park Profiles
Read about what scholars and alumni are doing in the Profiles section of the site. From conducting research abroad to educating patients at area clinics, Park Scholars are doing exciting things and making a difference in their communities.