Compelling academic programs and vast research opportunities are just a couple of the reasons 19 talented incoming scholars chose to begin their studies at Michigan State University this fall.
The newest Alumni Distinguished Scholars and University Distinguished Scholars hail from Michigan, Illinois, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Missouri, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
The scholarships – 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.
“Each year, Michigan State University receives tens of thousands of applications from bright and talented students from around the world,” said Jim Cotter, director of admissions. “Being honored with a full scholarship to attend one of the nation’s most widely recognized universities is truly exceptional.”
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 comprising faculty and administrators then selected them based on the results of the exam, high school programs and achievements, other standardized test scores and interviews.
University Distinguished Scholars were chosen from an MSU applicant pool 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 average high school grade-point average for these scholarship recipients is approximately 4.4. The average ACT score is 35 (out of 36) and the average SAT score (critical reading plus math only) is 1540 (out of 1600).
All of the scholarship recipients will be members in the Honors College, which is welcoming its largest incoming class to date – nearly 650 students.
“Congratulations to these students for being awarded these competitive scholarships,” said Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore, dean of the Honors College. “We are eager to welcome our incoming first-year class this fall and see how their scholarly pursuits unfold.”
Alumni Distinguished Scholars:
• Aileen Acuna (Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Long Grove, Illinois)
• Benjamin Baldwin (Oregon High School, Mount Morris, Illinois)
• Harris Bunker (Grosse Pointe North High School, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan)
• Adam Cole (Francis Howell North High School, St. Charles, Missouri)
• Ely Hsu (Northern Highlands Regional High School, Allendale, New Jersey)
• Trenton Koch (Lakota West High School, West Chester, Ohio)
• Shannon Low (Naperville North High School, Naperville, Illinois)
• James Montgomery (Stevenson High School, Sterling Heights, Michigan)
• Laura Mortensen (Kalamazoo Central High School, Kalamazoo, Michigan)
• Zachary Smith (Livonia Churchill High School, Westland, Michigan)
• Marc Veihl (Lincoln-Way Central High School, New Lenox, Illinois)
• Jack Weyhrich (Warren Township High School, Wadsworth, Illinois)
• Whitney Zhou (Troy High School, Troy, Michigan)
University Distinguished Scholars:
• Grant Billings (West Florence High School, Florence, South Carolina)
• Caroline Colpoys (Nardin Academy, Orchard Park, New York)
• Anna Esenther (Ashland High School, Ashland, Massachusetts)
• Monica Goodin (Solon High School, Cleveland, Ohio)
• Anthony Incorvati (Archbishop Hoban High School, Uniontown, Ohio)
• Zachary Kuloszewski (Clarence High School, Clarence, New York)