Governor's School 2014: Overview, Opportunities, and Scholarships

1. Clips to show prior to the meeting • Retrospective on Governor’s School West 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMpZmUnFmq8 • And a great perspective from a student:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXELEEVmi4Q

2. North Carolina Governor’s SchoolSelected Information for 2014-15 Tom Winton, Coordinator North Carolina Governor’s School Exceptional Children Division

3. What’s the big deal?

4. North Carolina Governor’s School:One Program, Two Campuses Governor’s School WestSalem CollegeWinston-Salem Governor’s School EastMeredith CollegeRaleigh

5. A Quick History Lesson & Overview • 1963 • More than 35,000 alumni! • Program Components • Bridge high school to college • ‘Question Everything’ • Emphasis on contemporary thought • No tests or grades, just learning

6. What Do I Study?Well, for starters…Area I Academics Arts Choral Music (This year: Mixed Chorus at GSW; Women’s Chorus at GSE) Dance Instrumental Music (Wind Ensemble at GSE; Full Orchestra at GSW) Theater Visual Art • English • Foreign Language (Spanish at GSW or French at GSE) • Mathematics • Natural Science • Social Science

7. Is that all? Just ‘camp’?Well, not exactly… Area II • Philosophical thinking and questioning • Epistemology • Beauty? Art? Truth? Time? • Tools for thinking Area III • ‘Self & Society’ • Encountering values and approaching ethics • Personal reflection

8. But wait, there’s more… • Seminars • Electives • Speakers and Convocations • Concerts • Exhibitions • Sports • Field trips • Dances BDT

9. Timelines • September – Nomination packets sent out • November 14, 2014 – Nominations due to DPI • February – Auditions and Student Selection • March – Notification about selection and non-selection • April 2, 2015 – Acceptance/declination duewith tuition obligation • Mid-June to Late July – Governor’s School!

10. Nomination Process and Tips • Nomination Packet – READ IT • Eligibility Requirements vs. Selection Criteria

11. Eligibility • Legal North Carolina resident • Enrolled in 11th grade in North Carolina public or non-public school • Exceptions • NO Aptitude Test Score this year • Achievement Test Score • Approved List • Full composite, area composite (no subtests), or EOC • National 92nd %ile through 99th %ile • No EOGs

12. Selection Criteria Scholastic performance • Most recent grade (if applicable) • Class rank • Transcript Personal Data • Two Recommendation Forms • Two Essays • Lists of school and community activities, awards and honors

13. Auditions February 7 • Choral Music February 21 • Visual Arts • Dance • Theater • Instrumental Music

14. Comments from earlier Selection Committees • “School/county needs to check application” • “Students need to think more deeply about the prompt…did not adequately address the prompt.” • “…need to get recommendations from teachers in nominated area” • “in special circumstance…include why recommendation is coming from another subject teacher”

15. Comments from earlier Selection Committees • “references/recommendations…sometimes I feel they do not understand the importance of their comments (or lack thereof) in the selection process.” • “students should ask before giving recommendation…do you feel comfortable filling out a positive recommendation for me? Some teachers are not giving positive recommendations.”

16. What About Tuition? • $500 per student, mandated by North Carolina General Assembly • Responsibility – Nominating Entity • However… • Scholarship possibilities

17. The Governor’s School Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that has provided financial support for the Governor’s School program since 1993. Since 2012, the Governor’s School Foundation has offered need-based scholarships for students who are selected to attend Governor’s School. • For GS 2014, the Foundation provided thirty-three scholarships. • Do not let the $500 tuition prevent you from applying for Governor’s School. • In March, when you receive your selection letter from DPI, you will receive specific instructions and deadlines for applying for the scholarship on-line.

18. The entire scholarship application process—from on-line application to notification—takes about three weeks. • You will receive notification of scholarship awards by email before the deadline to accept the invitation to attend Governor’s School expires. • The Foundation notifies the Department of Public Instruction about scholarship recipients. All scholarship monies are paid directly to DPI. • Questions: Contact the Governor’s School Foundation at scholarships@ncgsfoundation.org or the Office of the NC Governor’s School at DPI at ncgovschool@dpi.nc.gov.

19. So, What Are My Chances?What If I Don’t Get Selected? • One sure way to not get into Governor’s School… • 25% to 40% • If you don’t get selected, KEEP FOLLOWING YOUR DREAM!

20. So, Let’s Say I Attend…Then What? • College Applications • Resumes • Lifelong Connections • Governor’s School Alumni Association

21. Questions? • Visit the North Carolina Governor’s School website at www.ncgovschool.org • First, ask the Governor’s School Contact at your local school/school system. • Contact Tom Winton at tom.winton@dpi.nc.gov or 919/807-3319. • Contact Camilla Roberson, Special Assistant to the North Carolina Governor’s School, at camilla.roberson@dpi.nc.gov or 919/807-3986.