• Distinguished Scholars

    Students applying for Distinguished Scholars should have a minimum GPA of 3.5 for the past three semesters. This is the required GPA that needs to be maintained in all 4 years of high school as well.

    If you are applying for Distinguished Scholars, there is an extra response in the requirements for your application.

    1. You will need to decide which strand you are applying for: Language Arts, Math, Political Science, Science, or Visual Arts.
    2. Complete the items listed for that strand (see below or view)
    3. You will upload your document(s) in the online application AND you will need to bring copies with you to your interview.

    Remember that your submission will contribute to the overall evaluation of your application to the Distinguished Scholars Academy. Therefore, you should make every effort to ensure that your submissions are error-free and fulfill the submission guidelines below. Please bring copies of your submissions to your academy interview for discussion.

    Distinguished Scholars Prompts Fall 2025

    Language Arts  

    1)  Submit a personal statement of no more than 500 words responding to this question: What does reading and/or writing mean to you?

    2) Submit one piece of your own original writing. Your piece can be anything you believe showcases your writing ability and personal voice – short story, poem, chapter from a novel, essay, personal narrative, etc. Your piece should be no more than four pages in length. At the top of your writing, please indicate what you wrote this piece for – was this a class assignment? Which class? Or did you write this for fun or for a contest?

    Math  

    1) The YouTube channel “Numberphile” has more than 500 videos on mathematical ideas in a  variety of fields and topics. Watch several videos and choose one that captures your  interest. Submit a written response of no more than 750 words responding to the following  questions: Why did you pick this video? How does it relate to the math you already know?  What does it make you want to know more about?  

    Political Science  

    1) “If you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem.” ― Eldridge Cleaver 

    One component of DSPS is looking at societal problems and discussing potential economic,  social and political solutions. Submit a written response of no more than 750 words  responding to the following question: What do you believe is the largest and most  impactful problem for our society today? To answer this prompt, be sure to include an  explanation of why it is a problem and a possible solution to the problem.  

    Science  

    1) The YouTube channels "Be Smart," "SciShow," "PBS Space Time," " PBS Eons," "PBS Nova" "Veritasium" and "Kurzgesagt" have a variety of videos on several different scientific fields and topics. Watch several videos and choose one that captures your interest. Submit a written response of no more than 750 words responding to the following questions: Why did you pick this video? How does it relate to the science you already know?What does it make you want to know more about?

    Visual Arts  

    1) Submit a personal statement of no more than 500 words responding to this question: What  inspires you as an artist?  

    2) Submit photographs or digital scans of five pieces of your original art. Any form of art is  fine, including but not limited to drawings, paintings, photographs, digital artwork, collage  or mixed-media, and 3-D artwork.

    When uploading files, remember that file names cannot have spaces and may only be a PDF or JPEG file. It will also show an error if you forget to load all the necessary files.