Ten incoming Michigan State University students pursuing majors through the College of Natural Science are among 23 high school seniors who will receive either an Alumni Distinguished Scholarship or a University Distinguished Scholarship – considered among the most competitive awards in the country.
The scholarships are valued at about $120,000 for in-state students and approximately $200,000 for out-of-state students. They cover full tuition, room and board and a stipend for up to eight semesters of study.
“We are delighted that our college has been able to attract such talented students to MSU,” said Mark Voit, NatSci associate dean for undergraduate studies. “The best students at Michigan State have always been as strong as the best students at any university in the country, and that remains true with this incoming class of distinguished scholars."
Alumni Distinguished Scholars were selected from more than 1,100 of the top high school seniors who applied to MSU. They were then selected by a committee of faculty and administrators based on the results a general knowledge exam, high school programs and achievements, other standardized test scores and interviews with the finalists.
The Alumni Distinguished Scholars who plan to major in subjects in NatSci are:
• Mohit Bansil of Farmington Hills graduated from North Farmington High School and plans to major in advanced track mathematics.
• Adnan Barazi of Livonia graduated from Churchill High School. He plans to major in actuarial science.
• James Jahns of Northville graduated from Churchill High School and plans to major in advanced track mathematics.
• Keelyn O’Brien of West Chicago, Illinois, graduated from the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. She plans to major in microbiology.
• Joshua Pang of Troy graduated from Troy High School and plans to major in actuarial science.
University Distinguished Scholars were chosen from an MSU applicant pool based on academic records, accomplishments and interviews with the finalists. Students were selected on the basis of their high school programs, achievements and standardized test scores.
The University Distinguished Scholars who plan to major in NatSci subjects are:
• Aleksandra Andersen of Noblesville, Indiana, graduated from Noblesville High School. She plans to major in actuarial science.
• Theodore Faust of Alexandria, Virginia, was home schooled and plans to major in mathematics.
• Don Nguyen of Omaha, Nebraska, graduated from Creighton Preparatory School and plans to earn a double major astrophysics in the College of NatSci and in earth science in the Lyman Briggs College.
• Abigail Shaw of Dousman, Wisconsin, graduated from Kettle Moraine High School. She plans to major in chemistry.
• Tyler Will of Clarence, New York, graduated from Canisius High School. He plans to earn a double major in computational mathematics in the College of Natural Science and computer science in the College of Engineering.
All of the students receiving an Alumni Distinguished Scholarship or University Distinguished Scholarship will also be members of the Honors College.