Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois
The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois is a teacher preparation and scholarship program for high school seniors, and first- and second-year Illinois college students who have the determination and drive to be excellent teachers in Illinois schools-of-need. We prepare you for immediate and lasting success in the most challenging teaching environments.
Golden Apple Scholars Receive:
- Tuition support, up to $23,000
- Paid residential Scholar Institutes that include courses and extensive classroom/work experience
- Academic and social-emotional support
- Job placement assistance
- Mentoring from our award-winning teaching faculty
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Illinois High School Senior, Illinois Partner University Freshman or Sophomore, Illinois Community College Student.
- U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (DACA recipients) and resident of Illinois.
- Be a resident of Illinois (if you are dependent, both you and your parent/guardian must be residents of Illinois)
-
ACT:
9/1/15 and later – Composite score of 22 or higher and a minimum score of 16 on the Writing portion
9/10/16 and later – Composite score of 22 or higher and a minimum score of 6 on the Writing portion
-
SAT:
3/5/16 and later – Composite score of 1110 (evidence-based reading and writing + mathematics = 1110 or higher) and a minimum score of 26 on writing and language
- Cumulative 2.5 GPA
Deadline:
Priority Deadline: December 15, 2019
Deadline: April 3, 2020
- Award
- Varies
- Deadline
- 04/03/2020
- Supplemental Questions
REFERENCES
We require two online references with your application.- Reference 1
- Reference 2
SECTION E: COMPLETE ONLY IF YOU ARE A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
- E1.) Are you a current high school student who will be graduating in 2020?
- E2.) What is your current high school?
- E3.) City:
- E4) County
- E5.) Zip Code:
- E6.) Does your cumulative GPA accurately represent your academic ability?
- E7.) If your school is not listed, what is the name of your high school?
- If you would like, please elaborate on question E6
SECTION F: COMPLETE ONLY IF YOU ARE ATTENDING A PARTNER UNIVERSITY OR COMMUNITY COLLEGE
- F1.) Are you currently enrolled as a full-time student at Partner University or Community College?
- F2.) What is your current institution?
- F3.) What is your college/university e-mail address?
- F4.) How many total credit hours do you expect to complete by May 2020?
- F5.) Does your cumulative GPA accurately represent your academic ability?
- F6.) Expected graduation date for your Bachelor's Degree?
- F7.) What high school did you attend?
- F8.) What year did you graduate from high school?
- F9.) If your high school is not listed, what is the name of your high school?
- If you would like, please elaborate on question F5.
TRANSCRIPTS
We require a copy of official or unofficial transcripts.- Are you submitting high school or college transcripts?
- Submit a scanned copy of your unofficial transcripts.
- What is your cumulative GPA?
SECTION G: STANDARDIZED TESTS
We require evidence of your official or unofficial test scores.- G1.) Which exam have you taken, the ACT or SAT?
- G2.) ACT Composite Score or SAT Total Score.
- G3.) Did you take the Writing portion?
- G4.) Are you planning on superscoring your ACT or SAT?
- Submit a scanned copy of your ACT or SAT
SELF-REPORTED STANDARIZED TEST INFORMATION
- If superscoring, include all standardized scores
- SAT Sections Scores - Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section Score:
- SAT Sections Scores - Math Section Scores:
- SAT Test Scores - Math test score:
- SAT Test Scores - Reading test score:
- SAT Test Scores - Writing and Language test score:
- Subscore ACT Composite
- Subscore ACT English:
- Subscore ACT Math:
- Subscore ACT Reading:
- Subscore ACT Science:
- Subscore ACT Writing:
- If you have not yet taken the ACT or SAT or plan on retaking, please indicate when you are registering for the exam.
SECTION H: College or University Selection
- University Choice 1
- University Choice 2
- University Choice 3
SECTION I: Extracurricular Activities, Work Experience, Honors/Awards
- I1.) List all your activities, volunteer experiences, clubs, leadership positions, etc. State the name of the organization, your role, time spent and a brief description.
- I2.) How many activities, volunteer experiences, clubs, leadership positions did you indicate?
- I3.) Indicate current and previous work experience.
- I4.) List any honors or awards you have received and the year you were recognized.
- I5.) Total number of honors or awards you indicated.
SECTION J: Personal Statements
- J1.) Tell us about a teacher who has had a positive or negative impact on your life. Describe the experience in as specific a way as possible. How has the experience influenced you as a future teacher? What do you expect to do and/or not do as a result of this experience.
- J2.) Golden Apple Scholars Program is a teacher preparation program. We focus on developing highly-effective teachers in schools-of-need. School-of-need is defined as 30% or more of the students receive free & reduced lunch, or 60% or fewer Approach, Meet, or Exceed academic state standards. What skills or experiences do you possess that will help you be a highly-effective teacher in a school-of-need? Provide specific examples of situations and your actions that provide evidence of your commitment and potential to becoming a highly-effective teacher in a school-of-need.
- J3.) Golden Apple focuses on core competencies throughout the Scholar journey. One important competency is Growth Mindset. Describe a situation in which you developed skills using a Growth Mindset.
- J4.) Teaching is complex, hard work. Provide some examples of times when you had to exert extra effort in pursuit of an ambitious goal. What was the situation and how did you persist?
- J5.) Golden Apple Scholars participate in a summer residential internship called Scholar Institute (SI). If selected as a Scholar, what do you expect to learn during the program that is in addition to your university experience? What support or professional development would you need in addition to your university preparation to be a highly-effective teacher in a school-of-need?
- J6.) What grade level do you want to teach?
- J7.) Briefly explain why you want to teach at that grade level.
- J8.) What is your first choice subject area in which you want to teach?
- J9.) What is your second choice subject area in which you want to teach?
- Please briefly explain why you want to teach in those content area(s).
AGREEMENT
- 1.) I agree that the information and statements that I supplied in this application are original and correct. With my electronic signature, I authorize Golden Apple Foundation to receive a copy of my transcripts and standardized test score. I acknowledge that my application will not be considered complete until all materials are complete and submitted. Golden Apple Foundation may request admissions decisions from partner universities. I understand that all submitted applications and supporting information are the property of the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program and are confidential.
- 2.) I understand Golden Apple Scholars attend mandatory residential Scholar Institutes for four years while an undergrad.
- 3.) I understand Golden Apple Scholars commit to teach in a school-of-need in Illinois for five years after graduation.
- 4.) Applicant's Signature:
- 5.) Today's Date:
- How did you hear about the Golden Apple Scholars Program? (Check all that apply)
- ANSWER ONLY if you selected Golden Apple Scholar Referral
- First name of Current Golden Apple
- Last name of Current Golden Apple
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