What is a Presidential Diversity Scholarship?
This $80,000 scholarship ($20,000 a year for four years) is awarded to students of African American, Asian American, Hispanic American or Native American heritage on the basis of academic achievement, leadership and service to community. Any additional demonstrated financial need will be met by financial aid. Students selected as Presidential Diversity Scholars are invited to visit the St. Lawrence campus in April, all expenses paid.
A Little Background...
The Presidential Diversity Scholarship (PDS) program at St. Lawrence University was announced in 1999 to encourage further diversity in the student body, and thereby ultimately enhance educational benefits for all students. Earlier that year, a gift from Class of 1939 alumnus Kirk Douglas established a separate scholarship fund for minority students.
Since the program's implementation, over 100 Presidential Diversity Scholars from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in colleges have enrolled at St. Lawrence. Addressing the importance of diversity, St. Lawrence President Daniel F. Sullivan wrote recently, "We are committed to continued, serious support of faculty and staff efforts to educate students for responsible global citizenship. Where we have the most control over our situation is in what and how we teach, both in and out of the classroom, and here we are a leader. Diversity education is not about the inculcation of ideology. It is about the hard task of bringing multiple and sometimes conflicting perspectives to bear in order to help students both understand how different the world looks depending on where you stand -- how economics, politics and culture operate to distribute power unequally -- and how class, race, gender and other social differentiations privilege some while disadvantaging others. These matters will continue to have a very high priority at St. Lawrence."
How Do You Apply?
Complete the Common Application for Admission on-line at http://app.commonapp.org, print off and mail in the application here, or use the paper form available in your high school's guidance office. Be sure to complete the required St. Lawrence University Common Application Supplement. All forms must be submitted no later than february 1st.
In addition to the normal St. Lawrence application process, applicants are required to submit a supplemental essay of 200 to 500 words, responding to the following: "Describe an experience you have had that has led you to value diversity." Complete this essay online, fax your essay to 315-229-5818, or mail to the following address:
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
St. Lawrence University
Canton, NY 13617
|
