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Ivy Influencers Scholarship Competition

Ivy Influencers is a scholarship competition for seniors in high school.

Ivy Tech wants to find students who have a passion to influence their community. As we are committed to enabling our hardworking students to finish their pursuit of an academic credential, how will you influence other students to start and finish their education in their pursuit of high-value careers.

From this competition, two participants will receive two-year full tuition scholarships, the top ten will receive $750 per year for two years, and all other participants will receive a $250 scholarship each year for two years to Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo. 

Interested in participating? Students must be from a high school within Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Pulaski or Tipton counties in Indiana with a 2.5 GPA . The deadline to apply with your essay and portfolio uploaded is February 10. 

Check out the competition information below learn more.

Ready to apply for Ivy Influencers? Click to button to start the application process.

Competition Information

  • Who is eligible?

    High-achieving high school seniors, graduating in the Spring of 2024. A minimum of 2.5 GPA or 21 ACT.

    What criteria will be considered for those who will receive Ivy Influencers scholarships?

    Selection of scholarship recipients will be based on rankings within these criteria:

    Professional Interview: During the Ivy Influencer event, each contestant will be interviewed by members of Ivy Tech faculty, who will evaluate their impact on the Ivy Tech community.

    Essay: Submit a 500-750 word essay by February 16:

    Portfolio/Resume:  Submit a portfolio including a resume and list of your accomplishments by Feb 16

     

    What should be included in the portfolio?

    The portfolio is your chance to tell us who you are and why you deserve this scholarship. The portfolio may include any of the following:

    • Resume
    • Letters of recommendation
    • Personal information/accomplishments/volunteer work/extra-curricular involvement. Ideas for inclusion are:
      • What extra-curricular activities do you participate in?
      • Are you an eagle scout, on the robotics team, captain of the basketball team, member of the chess club, member of the band, do you play an instrument?
      • Do you volunteer in the local community at food pantries, churches, shelters, coaching little league?
      • Do you have a part-time job, what leadership roles are you currently in, what are your plans for the future, your aspirations, hopes and dreams?
    • This is not an all-inclusive list. Be creative and tell us about yourself in your way.

    Portfolios may be submitted in either a Word document, PowerPoint, or a PDF format. If you wish to submit a video as part of your portfolio, please submit a link in a pdf or Word doc to an external source such as Vimeo or YouTube. Pictures should be embedded into a PDF or Word document as well.

    What attire is appropriate for the event?

    Students will be expected to wear business professional attire for their interview and the banquet.

    Do I need to attend the whole event?

    Yes. We ask that each student experience the entire event and to stay for the banquet to be eligible for the scholarship

    Can family members come with me?

    Yes! Parents are encouraged to attend Friday, February 23th for the entire event to learn more about Ivy Tech and for the Friday night banquet.  Parents will have sessions to attend during the student interviews.

    Can transfer students compete? No, only students applying as first-time freshman for Fall 2024 are eligible to compete.

    Is there any cost?

    There is no charge for this event.

    Will I receive anything for participating?

    Ivy Tech will be awarding two full-tuition scholarships to the top two scholars. Students who finish in the top ten will receive a $750 scholarship. Every student who participates will receive at least a $250 annual scholarship. These scholarships are renewable each year by meeting financial aid’s satisfactory academic progress guidelines and keeping a 3.25 CGPA.

    What is the schedule for the event?

    The Ivy Cup event will begin at 1 pm on Friday, February 23th. Friday afternoon will have a campus tour, time to meet current students, faculty, and staff. Group interviews with Ivy Tech faculty will begin at approximately 3:30. There will be a banquet on Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. for you and your family with our Ivy Tech Faculty. 

    What do I need to prepare before I arrive?

    The following items must be submitted by February 16, 2023 at 11:59pm: Essay and Portfolio. Late submissions will NOT be accepted.

    When will the Ivy Influencer recipients be announced?

    We will announce the winners approximately 10 days after the event. All recipients will receive a letter from the Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Laura Hapner, with the results.

    What are the requirements for the scholarships?

    Maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA to remain eligible for renewal each year.

  • ESSAY PROMPT

    Ivy Tech Community College is committed to enabling our hardworking students to finish their programs and find high-value careers in growing fields and potentially transfer to a four-year university. Our goal is to see a student complete a credential through Ivy Tech on their path to their next step. In an essay of at least 500 words and no more than 750 words, describe how you can influence other students to start and finish their education in their pursuit of these high-value careers.

    SCORING RUBRIC                                          

    POINT VALUE

    CRITERIA

    15

    Introduction, Thesis Statement, and Conclusion

    ·      Thesis statement is clear and well worded.

    ·      Introduction accurately previews body of essay.

    ·      Conclusion accurately summarizes content of essay and approaches an insight for further reflection.

    10

    Structure and Organization

    ·      Body of the essay supports the essay’s thesis statement.

    ·      Paragraphs and statements within paragraphs are organized logically.

    15

    Development

    ·      Body paragraphs are well developed and claims are supported with examples, illustrations, definitions, description, analysis, etc.

    ·      Supporting details are logical, reasonable, and engaging.

    10

    Grammar, Mechanics, Voice, Tone

    ·      Grammar, syntax, punctuation, and spelling demonstrate command of the English language.

    ·      Voice and tone are appropriate for academic discourse.

     

  • What should be included in the portfolio?

    The portfolio is your chance to tell us who you are and why you deserve this scholarship. The portfolio may include any of the following:

    • Resume
    • Letters of recommendation
    • Personal information/accomplishments/volunteer work/extra-curricular involvement. Ideas for inclusion are:
      • What extra-curricular activities do you participate in?
      • Are you an eagle scout, on the robotics team, captain of the basketball team, member of the chess club, member of the band, do you play an instrument?
      • Do you volunteer in the local community at food pantries, churches, shelters, coaching little league?
      • Do you have a part-time job, what leadership roles are you currently in, what are your plans for the future, your aspirations, hopes and dreams?
    • This is not an all-inclusive list. Be creative and tell us about yourself in your way.

    Portfolios may be submitted in either a Word document, PowerPoint, or a PDF format. If you wish to submit a video as part of your portfolio, please submit a link in a pdf or Word doc to an external source such as Vimeo or YouTube. Pictures should be embedded into a PDF or Word document as well.

     

     Portfolio Scoring Rubric

    Portfolio evaluation consists of two parts: 1. To what degree does the student participate in each of the identified areas, and 2. How well did they present themselves and their activities in the portfolio.  It is possible that a student has put together a creative and well-organized portfolio, but has only moderate involvement. Conversely, a student may have stellar extra-curricular engagement, but a poorly constructed portfolio.  Highest scores should be reserved for students who demonstrate excellence in both form and substance.

     

    Competency

    Needs Work

    1-3  Points

    4

    Average - Good

    5-6 Points

    7

    Exceptional!

    8-10 Points

    Portfolio Organization and Presentation

    ·  Poor organization, lacking creativity

    ·  unprofessional and inconsistent

    ·  incomplete or lacking elements

     

    ·  Good content but

    Lacking consistent organization

    ·  appealing design with all required elements

     

    ·  Well organized / Easy to follow

    ·  Design appropriately highlights elements

    ·  Creates positive imagery

    ·  Professional appearance

    Community/School Involvement or Volunteering

    ·  no volunteer work or involvement in community or significant responsibilities in the home

     

     

    Does volunteer work in one area or has some involvement in multiple organizations, schools, churches, or at home

     

    ·  Gives of themselves in multiple environments

    ·  Takes on leadership roles in Civic, School, Church volunteers regularly

    Extracurricular activities

    ·  Is not involved in any extracurricular activities (unless significant work or home responsibility)

     

    ·  Is involved in at least one extracurricular activity or has significant work or home responsibility

     

    ·  Is involved in multiple extracurricular activities and takes leadership roles in one or more of these

    Talents/Skills/Unique Abilities

    ·  No identified talents, skills, or unique abilities

     

    ·  Presents talents, skills, abilities  similar to their peers

     

    ·  Possesses unique talent, skills, abilities that set them apart from their peers

    Leadership qualities

    ·  Demonstrates little to no leadership qualities

     

    ·  Shows leadership qualities yet not fully developed

     

    ·  Leadership qualities are clearly evident and takes on leadership roles

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Total Score      

  • Tentative schedule for Ivy Influencer Day

    12:45   Check-in

    1:00     Welcome

    1:30     Academics at Ivy Tech

    1:40     ASAP Presentation

    1:55     Student Services at Ivy Tech

    2:05     Tour of facilities

    3:10     Break

    3:30     Interview #1 / Parent Session with Chancellor’s Cabinet

    4:30     interview #2 / Parent Session with Financial Aid, ASAP, Dir. of Admissions, and the Dir. of Advising

    6:00     Ivy Influencers Banquet

                                 

    *Participation in the full event is required in order to be eligible for the scholarship.