Q: Can a school nominate more than one candidate if it has two extremely strong candidates? A: No, the school is to nominate from the senior class that individual who excels in leadership, scholarship, and citizenship. A strong candidate possesses all three criteria, which are weighed equally.
Q: Is this a full scholarship for four years?
A: Yes, renewable annually. The stipend for the 2004-05 academic year totals $15,425 for Virginia residents and $31,525 for residents outside the Commonwealth of Virginia. This sum represents the actual reported cost, including tuition, room, board, books, and miscellaneous expenses, for students enrolled full time in the University for the entire academic year.
Q: Can additional letters of recommendation be sent in support of the school’s nominee?
A: Besides the school endorsement, one letter of recommendation may be submitted in support of each nominee.
Q: If there are updates on test scores after the submission of the Nomination Form, how does the school communicate current information?
A: All updates must be submitted by the school in writing or via e-mail. This has been simplified, as counselors may log into the Jefferson Scholars website and use the button after Step 10 on the welcome page – “Submit Nomination Update.”
Q: If the school mails the transcript, school profile, and/or the additional recommendation, what is the preferred address of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation?
A: P.O. Box 3446, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
Q: If the school submits the transcript via Federal Express, what is the street address for the Jefferson Scholars Foundation?
A: 211 Emmet Street South, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903.
Q: Does the Nomination Form have to be submitted by November 1?
A: The online form should be submitted by the counselor by 11:59 pm, November 1.
Q: What is the next step in the competition for the school’s nominee?
A: Nominees can expect to receive either written correspondence, e- mail, or a telephone call as to whether/when they will be interviewed at the regional level. Most regional interviews occur in January, and it is possible the nominee may not hear anything until then.
Q: When is the National Selection Weekend?
A: March 16-20, 2005.
Q: Must a nominee apply to U.Va.?
A: The nominee need not apply to the University of Virginia at this time; however, the nominee must agree not to apply under a binding early decision plan to any college or university. The only exception to this condition is if a nominee decides he/she wishes to apply binding early decision to the University of Virginia.
Q: What are the selection criteria?
A: The criteria against which Jefferson Scholars are measured are excellence in the Jeffersonian ideals of leadership, scholarship, and citizenship.
Q: Is financial need a criterion for nomination?
A: No. Nominations are based on the record established in the areas of leadership, scholarship, and citizenship.
Q: Is interest in the University of Virginia a criterion for selection?
A: No. Again, leadership, scholarship, and citizenship are the sole criteria. Every year, schools select nominees who may not have voiced interest in U.Va., but if that individual is the school’s best choice based on the three criteria, then it is the proper nomination.
Q: Must the candidate accept the nomination by the school if interested in another University?
A: It is in the candidate’s best interest (as well as the school’s since it has deemed the candidate to be the most outstanding student in the senior class in leadership, scholarship, and citizenship) to accept the nomination and proceed to the next level of the competition. The candidate is under no obligation to accept a Jefferson Scholarship should he or she be offered one.
Q: How does the school know if the Nomination Form has been submitted and received?
A: The Nomination Form consists of a nominee portion and a school portion. Once both parties have checked all sections as completed and saved, the counselor is to submit the form. A confirmation message should appear on the screen and an e-mail will be forwarded immediately to the school.
Q: How will the completed form look? How can the school or nominee print a copy?
A: The nominee may review the Nomination Form’s appearance by clicking “View Form” from your form checklist page. We recommend that a copy be printed as it will not be available to view once it has been submitted to the Jefferson Scholars Foundation.
Q: What is the interview like?
A: Nominees are interviewed by a committee comprised of alumni and friends of the University of Virginia, typically in a conference room or private home. The number of interviewers varies, but is usually between three and six. Their intent is to be cordial yet challenging. The committee asks questions of their own design; there is no scripted interview format. Interviews may last from twenty to fifty minutes, depending on the number of nominees in a given region.
Q: May I ask the committee questions about themselves or U.Va.?
A: Of course, so long as time and reason allow. Members of our regional committees come from diverse backgrounds and represent varied U.Va. and professional experiences. Many nominees tell us that interaction with the committee was a highlight of their Jefferson Scholar competition experience. Please remember, however, that our committee members are not official representatives of the University; thus, they may not have every answer to specific questions about U.Va.
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