Strong academic programs, abundant research opportunities and numerous study abroad offerings are just a few of the reasons 20 talented high school students receiving full scholarships will begin their studies at Michigan State University this coming fall.
The newest Alumni Distinguished Scholars and University Distinguished Scholars hail from Michigan, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Texas, Connecticut, Nebraska, Minnesota and Sri Lanka.
The scholarships, which are considered among the most competitive awards in the country, are valued at about $120,000 for in-state students and $200,000 for out-of-state students. They cover full tuition, room and board and a stipend for up to eight semesters of study.
“Year after year, the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship Competition brings to MSU some of the most gifted young scholars in the world,” said Jim Cotter, director of MSU Admissions. “As history has proven itself time and again, these students are difference-makers who assist this great institution in becoming even greater.”
Alumni Distinguished Scholars were selected from more than 1,100 of the top high school seniors who applied to MSU and took an intensive general knowledge exam in February. A committee composed of faculty and administrators then selected them based on the results of the exam, high school programs and achievements, other standardized test scores and interviews with the finalists.
University Distinguished Scholars were chosen from an MSU applicant pool of more than 33,000 students, based on academic records, accomplishments and interviews with the finalists. Students were selected by the director of admissions and dean of the Honors College on the basis of their high school programs, achievements and standardized test scores.
The students’ average high school grade point average is approximately 4.2. The average ACT score is 35 (out of 36) and the average SAT score (critical reading plus math only) is 1520 (out of 1600).
All students will join MSU’s Honors College along with more 500 other outstanding incoming students.
“We are excited to welcome another class of promising scholars to campus this fall,” said Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore, dean of the MSU Honors College. “Congratulations to all of the students who are now part of this unique community at MSU.”
Alumni Distinguished Scholars
- Eliot Bongiovanni, Canton High School
- Cassidy Connolly, Mercy High School
- Philip Dooley, Eisenhower High School
- Zachary Ireland, Woodlands High School (Spring, Texas)
- Grace Katalinich, Howell High School
- Kaitlin Marrison, Waverly High School
- Spencer Mather, Naperville North High School (Lisle, Illinois)
- Tyler Miksanek, Wheaton Warrenville South (Warrenville, Illinois)
- Kasey Pham, Wheaton Warrenville South High School (Wheaton, Illinois)
- Rachel Polus, Portage Central High School/Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center
- Zachary Richardson, Grand Ledge High School
- Anastasia Ritchie, Jack C. Hays High School (Buda, Texas)
- Joshua Schroeder, Silver Lake High School (Silver Lake, Kansas)
- David York, Litchfield High School (Litchfield, Illinois)
University Distinguished Scholars
- Isaac Constans, Benjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans)
- Celia Hallan, Southwest High School (Minneapolis)
- Justin Opperman, Buffalo Grove High School (Arlington Heights, Illinois)
- Devinda Pankaja Wijewardena, Lyceum International School (Wattala, Sri Lanka)
- Stephanie Schiffert, Papillion La Vista High School (Omaha, Nebraska
- James Wortman, Lewis S. Mills High School (Harwinton, Connecticut)