Park Scholars answer questions and share their experiences at Final Selection Activities
I’m an out of state student, so my interview will be done over the phone. The school sent me a link to a video, saying that because in state semifinalists will attend an information session with current Park Scholars immediately before their interviews, they prepared a video for out of state students. The Park Scholars in that video are all out of state students, but they didn’t talk at all about what to expect in the interview. They just talk about the Park Scholarship and the opportunities it provides. They did say that 35 students would be awarded the Park Scholarship this year. Here’s the video link if you’d like to see it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaUEO_IH6w8&feature=youtu.be.
I have a semi-finalist interview this Saturday for the Park. I know that they said to review your application, so I assume there will be questions based off of my essays/extracurriculars, but does anyone have any other tips? I know to dress nice (I’m wearing a dress, blazer, hose, and closed toe wedges/minimal jewelry except for pearl earrings/hair half pulled back), but I am beyond nervous. Has anyone been interviewed before for the Park? Or any other prestigious four year scholarship?
Please post and let me know how it goes and what it was like when you’re done with your interview. It will be too late to help with the interview, but I will post what my phone interview was like after it’s over. It might be interesting to see if our questions were similar.
Hey I’m just wondering what you guys’ test scores, activities and such were. I didn’t even make semi-finalists, and it was someone upsetting as I exemplify all the traits they’re looking for, and my dad is a Park Alumni. I have a 35 ACT, 3.9/5.0 weighted/unweight GPA, captain of multiple clubs and teams at my school, went to leadership programs over summer, and spent a lot of time volunteering in an area related to my intended major (mechanical engineering.) Just was wondering what I did wrong and what I could do better when it comes to other opportunities. Thanks guys! P.S. I also spent a good amount of time on my essays, and I felt as if I was quite successful in telling my narrative and my aspirations.
I’m posting this for future semifinalists because I had a hard time finding out what I should expect to be asked in the phone interview as an out of state semifinalist. The information sent to me by the Park Scholarship said that I should reread my Park application because the questions would be about my application. However, none of the questions from my interviewers were directly about my application. So I’d recommend to future semifinalists to prepare for broader questions. For example, I was asked to tell my interviewers about a time that I failed and how I handled that failure. I was asked about how my extracurricular activities interfere with my grades and school work. I also was asked how I handle conflicts in my schedule when two activities conflict, and how my extracurricular activities have changed me as a person. I also was asked what classes I’ve taken in school that relate to my outside activities. The last question was if I had any questions about the Park Scholarship or the Park Scholars Program. All of the interviewers were very nice. The interview lasted about 20 minutes. I’m sure the questions change each year, and it’s possible that different interviewers ask different questions, but I hope this helps future Park Scholarship semifinalists.
Applying for the Park Scholarships Program
The Park Scholarships program will not evaluate ACT or SAT scores as part of our selection process in 2022-2023.
There is no minimum GPA or class rank required to apply for the Park Scholarships program although you should be a competitive applicant to NC State University.
The Park Scholarships application essay prompts change annually. The two essay prompts for the 2022-2023 selection cycle (the Class of 2027) are listed below. Each essay response is limited to 600 words.
The Park Scholarships selection criteria are scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Diversity and inclusion are critical to NC State’s mission and to the Park Scholarships program.
Your essays should delve beneath the surface and reveal insights about your candidacy based on our four selection criteria: scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Essays that go beyond merely describing an experience, person, or project help our Selection Committee learn more about you.
The best recommendation letters are from people who know you well and can provide specific examples of how you meet the selection criteria. At least one of your recommenders should be a high school teacher, counselor/advisor, or principal.
The Selection Committee will only see the recommendation letters submitted as part of your Park Scholarships application. They will not see recommendation letters submitted as part of your application for admission to NC State. You may use the same recommenders if at least one meets the criteria above. Remember to select recommenders familiar with your accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
Applications offer our first picture of Park Scholarships candidates. To paraphrase Park Scholar Sam Dotson ’24: “The Park Scholarships Selection Committee wants to get to know each candidate as a person, so dig deep into who you are and present your most authentic self to the Selection Committee.” Answer the essay prompts the way you want to answer them, not with words you think someone else wants to hear. Stay true to yourself and focus on the four pillars of the Park Scholarships program: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
Park Under-Resourced Assistance (PURA) is a student-run initiative to help under-resourced candidates through each phase of the selection process. PURA works exclusively with under-resourced applicants, defined under a broad scope of identities including, but not limited to, applicants who are first-generation, are from low-income backgrounds, attend overpopulated schools, are from rural areas, and who identify with other marginalized populations. PURA essay submission instructions and resources will be available on October 10. Learn more about PURA.
Prior to fall 2022, counselor and self-endorsements were a part of the Park Scholarships application process. To reduce burdens on prospective students and counselors, the Park Scholarships program has discontinued the endorsement process. Prospective students may access the application as soon as it is available and are encouraged to start it as early as possible.
Should you opt not to continue in the Park Scholarships selection process at any point, please email [email protected] with your request to withdraw from consideration.
Selection Process
At every stage of the process, the Selection Committee evaluates all candidates on the following criteria: scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Applications are reviewed by Regional Selection Committee members. Approximately 500 Semifinalists are selected each year to participate in Semifinal Interviews. After those interviews, 112 Finalists are selected and invited to participate in Final Selection Activities in February. For more detail, visit the Selection Process page.
The Park Scholarship is a merit-based award and financial need is not a selection criterion. Park Scholarships candidates should also apply for need-based aid if they think they may be eligible. For more information, visit Student Services’ Financial Aid website.
All applicants will be notified at each stage via email, but they can also check their status on the Park Scholarships decision portal. In general, candidates are notified of their Semifinalist status in late December and their Finalist status in late January. Park Scholarships recipients are notified in early March. The new class of Park Scholars is announced in early May. See the “Important Dates” sidebar for specific notification dates.
Yes; in fact, we encourage students to defer their university studies for one year to travel or work abroad or to engage in some other “gap year” activity. Incoming students may request a deferral in writing.
Interviews usually last 20-30 minutes and are conducted by a panel of 2-4 alumni and faculty Selection Committee members. Students should expect questions related to the selection criteria and their applications. Candidates do not need to study for interviews but should review their applications beforehand. Interviews also provide candidates an opportunity to ask questions about the Park Scholarships program and NC State.
We regret that we cannot reschedule interviews. Hundreds of alumni, faculty, and current Park Scholar volunteers are involved with Semifinalist and Finalist interviews; thus, we are unable to arrange alternate dates. We announce interview dates approximately 6-8 months in advance. See the “Important Dates” sidebar for the current selection cycle’s interview dates.
Selection Criteria
Park Scholars are intellectually curious students who seek learning experiences beyond the classroom.
Park Scholars dedicate themselves to making a positive difference in their communities.
Park Scholars listen well, lead by example, take risks, and champion original ideas.
Park Scholars demonstrate the highest levels of integrity, honesty, and conscientiousness.
FAQ
What questions are asked in a scholarship interview?
- Tell us about yourself. …
- What is your greatest strength/weakness? …
- Why do you deserve this scholarship? …
- What are your career goals? …
- Who has been a role model for you? …
- Tell me about a mistake you made. …
- Why did you choose this school?
How do I ace an interview for a scholarship?
- Be punctual. …
- Dress appropriately. …
- Make a good first impression. …
- Be brief and honest with your answers. …
- Have some questions ready for the interviewers. …
- Be prepared to reiterate the basic information you supplied on your application. …
- Don’t be negative.
What is the Park scholarship at NC State?
