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Top high school seniors compete for $4 million in scholarships

Feb. 4, 2005

KALAMAZOO--About 700 of the brightest high school seniors in Michigan and 12 other states will gather at Western Michigan University over two Saturdays, Feb. 12 and 19, for the 21st annual Medallion Scholarship Program.

These academic stars from more than 300 high schools will converge on the WMU campus to compete for more than $4 million in four-year scholarships to attend WMU beginning this fall. Accompanying the students will be more than 1,200 parents, who will take part in informational sessions and other activities.

The Medallion Scholarship Program is one of the biggest events of its kind in Michigan. Since it began in 1984, about $80 million in four-year scholarships has been offered to more than 14,000 students.

The annual event allows students to compete for Medallion Scholarships worth $32,000, Board of Trustees Scholarships worth $24,000 and WMU Academic Scholarships worth $4,800. This year's awards will be offered by March 31.

The prestigious Medallion Scholarships cap off the competition and are among the largest merit awards in American public higher education. To date, these top awards have amounted to nearly $7 million and have been given to 358 students, including 23 students in 2004.

Only the cream of the crop of each year's high school graduating classes is invited to attend the Medallion Scholarship Program. To be invited, students had to apply to WMU by Dec. 31 and have at least a 3.8 grade point average and American College Test score of 25 or higher.

In determining recipients for the three types of scholarships offered, the selection committee considers grades, courses, test scores and performance in the on-campus interviews.

The agenda will feature sessions on the Lee Honors College, financial aid and housing information, as well as discussions with some current scholarship recipients and parents of current recipients. In addition, parents and students will have an opportunity to tour campus, the Ackley-Shilling Residence halls, and the Student Recreation Center.

Event registration will take place from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. each Saturday in the first floor lobby of the Bernhard Center.

At 9:15 a.m. in the center's East Ballroom, the Medallion Scholarship Program participants will be welcomed by Dr. Judith Bailey, President of Western Michigan University. Also welcoming these admitted students will be Jodi Ward, program coordinator and assistant director of admissions.

In the morning, representatives from all eight academic colleges will be available to provide information about the programs they offer. During the program, students will take part in a 30-minute interview with a WMU faculty member or staff member. They can also attend panel discussions featuring some of the current Medallion Scholarship recipients and representatives of the Lee Honors College.

Besides the Bernhard Center, events will take place in Wood Hall, the Lee Honors College building, and various faculty offices throughout campus.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
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Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
269 387-8400
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