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CDI has become a moving force in the Washington, DC area for raising the aspirations of many gifted, low-income young people there...It is unfortunate that thousands more low-income students cannot take advantage of this valuable program.
-The late John A. Blackburn, Dean of Admissions (1979-2009), University of Virginia
CDI has been a great learning experience for me. We have a real partnership that encourages me to work to my full potential.
-Wendy Avelar, Cornell University, College of Engineering, Class of 2011
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Selection Criteria
We begin meeting with prospective applicants during the fall of the academic year and conduct the selection process throughout the winter. Decisions are typically formalized by the beginning of March.
Applicants must:
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Attend one of our six MCPS partner high schools during the first semester of their junior year.
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Be nominated by either an educator at their high school or a Collegiate Directions Scholar.
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Have an unweighted cumulative GPA of at least 2.6 (on a 4.0 scale) in core academic courses.
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Be enrolled in a challenging high school curriculum, including Honors and AP courses.
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Have at least three years of high-school level, non-ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) English classes.
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Be eligible for federal financial aid (i.e., US citizens or green card holders).
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Be eligible for "low-income" consideration. Also, students are eligible if the family meets income guidelines set by the Montgomery County Public Schools for Free and Reduced Meals Subsidies.
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Have a strong interest in applying to and attending four-year, selective, liberal arts colleges and universities.
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Be self-driven and highly committed to learning and personal development. Scholars demonstrate an ability to work hard, meet deadlines, honor commitments, and stay on course despite obstacles. Scholars will receive coaching and mentoring from CDI and will serve as role models for their peers.
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Applications must:
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Be submitted by the designated deadline
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Include a current transcript
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Include sophomore and junior year report cards
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Include the most recent household tax return
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