<p>Would like to share an entirely different experience. My daughter is a Jefferson Scholar who is about to graduate from UVa. She has had an absolutely amazing experience from start to finish, including the interviewing process. I can’t speak for other regions, but there is a very dedicated, hardworking group of volunteer alumni who run the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley and they take this responsibility very seriously. </p>
<p>We were at the Jefferson Scholars dinner for fourth year students last weekend and the contributions and accomplishments of the graduating class included: A Marshall Scholars, A Rhodes Scholar, a Truman Scholars, captain of a national debate team, President of the Honor System, President of the ISC, World Peace grant recipients, one of the 5 highest ranked ROTC members in the country, board members of numerous other charitable and community service organizations on campus, and that is just what I remember off the top of my head.</p>
<p>I have had the privilege of getting to know many of my daughter’s Jefferson Scholar peers and they are a group of caring, passionate, intelligent, and engaging students who have been leaders on the UVa campus and I think have lived up to the ideals of the scholarship. </p>
<p>I would like to add that my daughter attended a public high school in the Phila suburbs and did not know anyone who had ever attended UVa before, but she is a big fan and has been helping at the local Phila Jefferson Scholar recruiting sessions ever since and wants to continue to help the organization after she graduates.</p>
<p>I would strongly encourage anyone who has strong academics coupled with strong leadership skills and a desire to truly serve their community to apply for the Jefferson Scholarship, and to attend UVa. It has been a lifechanging, positive experience for my daughter and her family. We are sad that we will not have built in reasons to visit UVa starting next fall, but in the meantime look forward to the graduation events in two weeks!</p>