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Smittcamp Family Honors College
Entering Class of Fall 2020(Applying in Fall 2019)
Saeed Attar, Ph.D.Professor & Director
SFHC’s Mission Statement:
“The Smittcamp Family Honors College is dedicated to identifying, enhancing, cultivating, and creating learning opportunities for academically accomplished and highly motivated students. Its mission is to raise the level of educational opportunity of California State University, Fresno and to develop in its graduates the leadership on which our future depends.”
BRIEF HISTORY
The Late Earl and Muriel Smittcamp & Family• Prominent agri-business leaders
• Fall 1998: Helped establish the Smittcamp Family Honors College ($1 M donation)
• Fall 1999: SFHC began with an incoming class of 50 President’s Scholars
• Smittcamp Family has generously donated additional funds
• Other donors do also contribute to the President’s Honors Scholarship (PHS) fund
WHO CAN APPLY?• High school seniors nominated by their Principal or
Academic Counselor according to their GPA
• May also apply independently
• Must meet at least one of the following criteria
• Minimum GPA of 3.8 in high school courses
• Weighted or un-weighted (grades 9 - 11)
• Top 10% of graduating high school class
• Min. SAT score: 1200/1600
• Min. ACT score: 27
BASIC FACTS• 600-700 applicants each year
• 15-18 Reading Teams
• no relatives or friends of applicants involved
• Merit-based scholarship– No preference towards particular high schools, majors, or
family backgrounds
• Recent statistics on the admitted Scholars
• Average GPA > 4.3
• Average SAT > 1200 (combined)
• Average ACT > 27 (combined)
• AP scores of 4 or 5 on at least one test
Benefits of the President’s Honors Scholarship (PHS)
• Paid up to 8 semesters of undergraduate study
• $6,000 for 2019-2020 AY– $3,000 per semester
• Plus cost of a double occupancy, community-style dorm room only if Scholar chooses to live there
• Not included: Student & lab fees, room upgrades, food costs, books, laptop, etc.
PHS Benefits, continued: • 25-student Honors classes
• Individual advising by the SFHC Director
• Priority registration for all courses
• Use of SFHC Office
• Computer stations
• Printers
• Copy and FAX machines
• Study room
• Lounge and kitchenette
• Extended library borrowing
Four Pillars of Honors Education
1. GPA
2. Honors GE courses
3. Community service
4. Scholarly activity
Four Pillars of Honors Education1. Minimum Cumulative GPA
• 3.25 first year
• 3.35 second year
• 3.50 third and fourth years; req. for graduation with honors
• Most graduate summa (3.9+) or magna cum laude (3.7+) and over 90% in four years.
Four Pillars of Honors Education
2. Honors GE Courses• Lower-Division (min. 39 units): 2 Honors GE courses each semester the first two years (total of 8 lower-division Honors GE courses; small classes, about 25 students)
• Unique courses with unified themes blending different areas of GE
• Up to 24 units of LD Honors (min. of 15 units outside of Honors; AP units)
• Upper-Division (min. 12 units): 3 Honors GE courses (HON 101, 102, 103) satisfy all 12 units upper-division GE requirements
• Special Honors course: HON 1 (Honors Colloquium)• Town hall format with guest speakers
– SFHC’s “TED Talks!”
• Total of 5 semesters (4 in first two years, 1 in a subsequent semester)
Four Pillars of Honors Education3. Community Service (70 hours min.)
• 30 hours in first year
• 20 hours in second year
• 20 hours in third year
Four Pillars of Honors Education
4. Scholarly Activitya) Via completing an “Honors Program”
• Agriculture (JCAST); Armenian Studies Program (CAH); Arts & Humanities (CAH); Chemistry Department; Criminology (COSS); Engineering (LCOE); Health and Human Services (CHHS); Liberal Studies (KSEHD); Psychology Department
b) Via performing supervised “independent research or project” (HONORS 180)
• LCOE “Senior Thesis”; Work in labs on campus; Assist with a professors’ project(s); Off-campus internships
STUDY ABROAD• Highly Recommended (not required)
• CSU International Programs
• University Study Abroad Consortium (USAC)
• California State University, Fresno Mini-Semesters
• AIRC @ Rome
• Departmental Programs
• South Pacific Semester
SFHC graduates have attended:• UCSF, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSB, UC Davis,
UC San Diego, UC Hastings
• Stanford & USC
• Harvard, Yale, Brown, Princeton, Cornell, Columbia, U Penn
• Carnegie Mellon
• Purdue
• University of Chicago
• Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
• Indiana University
• New York University
• Loma Linda University
• Boston University
• Fresno State
1) California State University, Fresno
• Complete online application at Cal State Apply (new!) https://www2.calstate.edu/apply
Oct. 1 - Nov. 30, 2019
• $55 nonrefundable application fee
2) Fresno State Scholarships Application
• Complete online application starting Oct. 1, 2019
www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/scholarships/scholarshipapplication/
3) Smittcamp Family Honors College (Available 10/1/19)
• Due 12/12/19 (uploaded at the Scholarships web site)
3 MANDATORY APPLICATIONS
Don’t forget!
Don’t delay!
Application Package for the Entering Class of 2020(Available online Oct. 1, 2019)
• Nine Sections (for applicants)1. General Information2. Applicant Certification3. Counselor Verification & Transcripts4. Course Information (AP, IB, college)5. Honors Recognitions & Awards6. Leadership7. Community Service & Work Experience8. Essays (3)
• Narrative Statement• Diversity Awareness Essay• Personal Inspiration Essay
9. Optional Submissions• Two Recommendation Letters
– From teachers only; None from the HS Counselor– Optional: one letter only from employer, clergy, mentor
1. GENERAL INFORMATION – All areas must be completed
1A. SEX AND GENDER – Optional
Legal Sex (Enter M or F) Do you identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender (LGBT) (Optional) Yes No Not Sure Decline to state
What is your gender identity?
Female Female to male transgender Intersex Male Male to female Transgender
Not sure Other________________________ Decline to state
If Other, please specify
2. APPLICANT CERTIFICATION – All areas must be completed with a signature
SMITTCAMP FAMILY HONORS COLLEGE
California State University, Fresno
PRESIDENT’S HONORS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FOR FALL 2019
APPLICATION ONLINE SUBMISSION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 12, 2019
Last Name First Name Date of Birth
mm/dd/yy
Address City State Zip
County Country
Home Phone Cell Phone
Email Address
High School
High School Address City State Zip
High School County
Intended Major
I certify that the information I have provided on this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and that any accompanying examples of my creative work represent my own original effort.
I understand that if I am chosen as a President’s Honors Scholar or selected as an alternate, my Counselor Verification Form will be subject to confirmation by the Honors College.
I understand that my application and all supporting documents will be reviewed based on the information provided in my application and that all scholarship award decisions by each Application Reading Team are final.
Student Signature Date
I certify that I have read the contents of this application. My signature indicates that I am the parent or guardian of a student who is under 18 years of age.
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
Please choose a major from the dropdown menu
/ / Reading/Analysis/Writing
3. COUNSELOR VERIFICATION AND TRANSCRIPTS 3A. COUNSELOR VERIFICATION FORM – This section must be fully completed by a counselor or school official, and returned to the student. This section can be handwritten. Counselor or School Official: please complete this form and return to the student. Student: print out this form and give to your counselor. You must include this form in your application package due by December 12, 2019.
Best SAT Scores* Reading/Writing Combined Math
Best ACT Scores*
Essay (Optional) Total
English Math Reading Science Composite Score
HIGH SCHOOL GPA: (Based on a 4-point system for unweighted GPA and a 5-point system for weighted
GPA through the end of the junior year)
Overall Unweighted GPA
Overall Weighted GPA
Class Ranking /
Number of AP/IB courses available at high school
* Only the SAT/ACT scores indicated in this section will be accepted. Report the highest score for each section from any test taken. We cannot accept updated scores after receipt of the application. Home schools must provide proof of SAT score from the College Board and proof of ACT scores from the ACT.
3B. OFFICIAL HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT ONLINE SUBMITTAL – Please read carefully Registrar, Counselor or School Official: all applicants are required to submit their official high school transcript with their application. Our application process allows the student to make a formal request online to the high school registrar, counselor or school official whom the student has designated to submit their official high school transcript online. In the application, the student will provide your name and school email address which will generate an email to you with information on how to set up your account for submitting the student’s official transcript online. Please note: the deadline to submit the student’s
official transcript online is December 12, 2019.
Important note: Non-receipt of the student’s official transcript by the December 12, 2019 deadline will invalidate the student’s scholarship application.
Please check this box if your high school uses Parchment® for official transcripts. The deadline for online verification of the official transcript is December 12, 2019.
I have read the information on this page and to the best of my knowledge, it accurately represents this student’s achievements.
Applicant: Last Name First Name
Counselor: Last Name First Name
Counselor Signature:
Counselor Email: Counselor Phone:
4. ADVANCED PLACEMENT, INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE AND COLLEGE COURSES Please list all past and current Honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate (standard or higher level), and other similar courses, including college courses, and indicate if the course is in progress (IP) or the grade that you received. Please include a copy of your AP/IB scores to submit online with your application. Note: if you need more space to list your courses, please feel free to submit additional copies of this section.
HIGH SCHOOL HONORS, AP, IB COURSES
1st
SEMESTER GRADE
2nd
SEMESTER GRADE
AP/IB EXAM SCORE
COLLEGE COURSES
COLLEGE NAME
DATES TAKEN
FINAL GRADE
5. HONORS, RECOGNITIONS, AND AWARDS Please list all honors, recognitions, or awards you have received (e.g., National Merit Scholar, National Honor Society, Most Valuable Player) for academics, athletics, community service, clubs, scholarships and competitively-based internships or apprentice programs. Please do not use acronyms. Note: if you need more space to list your recognitions, please feel free to submit additional copies of this section.
Please indicate the type of academic, non-academic, or athletic award with SCH (school), DIS (district), ST (state) or NAT (National) ACADEMIC RECOGNITIONS/AWARDS AWARD DESCRIPTION OF AWARD
NON-ACADEMIC RECOGNITIONS/AWARDS AWARD DESCRIPTION OF AWARD
ATHLETIC RECOGNITIONS/AWARDS AWARD DESCRIPTION OF AWARD
6. LEADERSHIP Please list offices and years of office (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th) you held in school organizations (e.g., president, team captain, yearbook editor). Please do not use acronyms.
ORGANIZATION, CLUB, TEAM OR ACTIVITY YEARS (9 – 12) OFFICE(S)
7. COMMUNITY SERVICE AND WORK EXPERIENCE
Please indicate your CS (Community Service), WE (Work Experience) or I (Internship) in the “Type” column and indicate employer/organization, dates, total hours completed, and paid or unpaid. Please limit to grades 9 – 11.
COMMUNITY SERVICE/WORK EXPERIENCE TYPE EMPLOYER/ORGANIZATION DATES TOTAL HOURS PAID/UNPAID
8. ESSAYS
8A. NARRATIVE STATEMENT (500 word maximum, type-written and double spaced)
On a separate page, write the prompt to this essay at the top of the page, title your essay, and include your full name (500 word maximum, type-written and double-spaced). Print your essay and include in your application package.
Essay Prompt
Please describe a challenge, setback, or failure that you have faced and how you were transformed by it.
8B. DIVERSITY AWARENESS ESSAY (250 word maximum, type-written and double spaced)
On a separate page, choose only one of the following quotes and write it at the top of the page, title your essay, and include your full name (250 word maximum, type-written and double-spaced). Print your essay and include in your application package. Choose only one of the following essay prompts:
Quote 1: “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Quote 2: “We must not only learn to tolerate our differences. We must welcome them as the richness and diversity which can lead to true intelligence.” – Albert Einstein
8C. PERSONAL INSPIRATION ESSAY (250 word maximum, type-written and double spaced
On a separate page, write the prompt to this essay at the top of the page, title your essay, and include
your full name (250 word maximum, type-written and double-spaced). Print your essay and include in your application package. Essay Prompt
What inspires you?
9. OPTIONAL SUBMISSION(S) If you feel the information requested in this application does not provide sufficient evidence of your abilities, you may submit a statement or provide a sample of creative work that proves why you would excel in an honors environment. Any materials that are content-rich should be submitted with an URL (YouTube, Tumblr, Facebook, Blogger, etc.). Any letter-sized (8.5 x 11) documents, drawings, prize-winning essays, etc., should be listed below and the printed document should be included in the application package.
Recommender: Please handwrite your information here.
SMITTCAMP FAMILY HONORS COLLEGE California State University, Fresno FALL 2019 APPLICANT RECOMMENDATION FORM Required: Two letters of recommendation from teachers (not a high school counselor) Optional: Only one letter of recommendation from employer, clergy, mentor, or other teacher
Recommenders: Thank you for writing a letter of recommendation on behalf of a California State University, Fresno President’s Honors Scholarship applicant. Recommendation letters are an important aspect of the selection process and your assistance is greatly appreciated. We would like to hear your evaluation of this candidate’s academic attributes, response to challenges, and any qualities that make this applicant stand out from the rest. Students admitted to the Smittcamp Family Honors College should have skills that show the potential for success in a rigorous undergraduate course of study.
The Smittcamp Family Honors College’s academic curriculum is comprised of challenging and varied set of lower and upper division General Education courses that require exceptional dedication. A President’s Honors Scholar is expected to be an exemplary student, leader and volunteer in the community at large.
Please specifically address the applicant’s:
� Academic excellence � Creativity � Love of learning � Social and emotional intelligence
� Concern for fellow human beings � Courage � Leadership abilities � Ethical and/or moral character
Applicant: Last Name First Name
Recommender: Last Name First Name
Title Institution
Address City State Zip
Email Address________________________________________________________Phone____________________
I have known the applicant for a period of years as a: F Teacher F Other______________________ Please specify
Please return this coversheet and your letter of recommendation to the applicant so the applicant can include them in their President’s Honors Scholarship application and submit it by the due date of December 12, 2019.
Important Note: Letters of recommendation submitted without letterhead (or copy of letterhead) and/or those missing a signature will not be accepted and will disqualify the applicant’s President’s Honors Scholarship application.
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 requires that an applicant’s files be made available for perusalat his or her request. Accordingly, your recommendation may not be kept confidential. Please give an accurate assessment of this applicant.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What are the advantages of being a President’s Honors Scholar in the Smittcamp Family Honors College? A: You will receive up to eight semesters of in-state tuition, a dorm stipend in Student Housing (optional), enrollment in Honors General Education (GE) courses, advising from the Honors College Director, priority registration, networking opportunities, and use of Honors College amenities (copier, printer, fax, laminating/binding machine, etc.).
Q: To which areas of the application should I pay special attention? A: Selections are not based on numbers alone. Review your whole application to make sure it is an accurate reflection of you academically and personally. Proofread your essays—ask a parent or teacher as well, and review them again for misspellings, grammar, etc. Make sure all signature fields are completed (student, parent/guardian signature, counselor or school official). Scan the completed application and all required documents and upload online by the application submission deadline of December 12, 2019.
Q: How do I upload my application and required documents online?
A: Online submission of your application requires scanning your entire application package (required documents) into one PDF file (10MB or less) and uploading on or before the submission deadline of December 12, 2019 (please see Application Upload Information).
Q: What is the final application deadline? A: The absolute application submission deadline is December 12, 2019; 11:59 p.m., PDT. After clicking the “submit” button, your application (with latest edits) will be submitted for review. This is a final submit and applications cannot be resubmitted after the deadline.
Q: When will I be notified of my application status? A: All applicants will receive notice of their application status by March 1, 2020.
Q: If I am chosen as an alternate, can I find out where I am on the alternate list? A: We do not provide information on applicant ranking within the alternate list. If you are selected from the alternate list, you will be contacted by phone.
Q: What do most honors scholars do after graduation?
A: Our graduates either attend excellent graduate/professional schools or attain employment. We have an active alumni network that helps current students as well.
Q: I’m taking the SATs in November/December/later. Can I send you updated scores? A: No. Any new test scores must be included on the Counselor Verification Form prior to the application submission deadline of December 12, 2019.
Q: Does (race, gender, high school, income, major, etc.,) affect my admission into the program?
A: The President’s Honors Scholarship is strictly based on academic merit and potential for further success. Therefore, race, gender, high school, income, or major does not affect an applicant’s chances of admission to the program.
Q: What are the most common reasons that would disqualify my application? A: The most common reasons for application disqualification includes (but not limited to) the following:
• Hand-written applications • Incomplete application (missing pages or sections), including the Counselor Verification Form • Missing applicant signature or parent/guardian signature for applicants under 18 year of age • Non-receipt of your official high school transcript by the submission deadline (it is your
responsibility to make this request and follow up on it during the application process). • Letters of recommendation that are not printed on school or business letterhead and/or letters that
are not signed by the recommender (teachers)
HELPFUL HINTS
1. READ THE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS!! —It is critical that you read all the application instructions. Take special note of how you can resend an email request for your high school official transcript to your counselor or registrar if you do not get a response. You can always view the status of your request by clicking on the Supplemental Questions tab at the top of the page. If you choose to send a request to another counselor/registrar, it will swap out the previous one. Do not request community college unofficial transcripts through this means as it will override your previous submission, and you will end up submitting your application with an unofficial community college transcript instead of the required high school official transcript. Request any community college transcripts in advance and include them with your application package.
2. LEARN TO SCAN! This scholarship application process requires scanning your application and
required documents into one PDF file (not to exceed 10MB) and uploading it. If you do not have access to a printer/copier and scanner, check with your school library or contact a local public library.
3. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE—Get started well in advance! Request your high school official
transcript from your registrar, counselor or school official as early as possible to allow them sufficient time to submit your official transcript by the online application submission deadline of December 12, 2019. In the fall, teachers are overwhelmed with writing many letters of recommendation for students bound for college.
4. COUNSELOR VERIFICATION FORM —Make sure you include the completed and signed Counselor
Verification Form in your application package before scanning the entire application.
5. SIGN YOUR APPLICATION! If you are under the age of 18, a parent or guardian signature is required.
• Dec. 12, 2019 (TH): Application submission deadline (11:59 p.m.); complete with signatures; one scanned document uploaded via the Scholarship Office website.
• Feb. 15 – March 1, 2020: Notification letters sent out by the SFHC Director (admitted, placed in alternate pool, or not accepted).
• March 13, 2020 (F): SFHC Shadow Day; admitted Scholars and their parents are invited to visit the campus.
• April 3, 2020 (F): “ACCEPTANCE OR DECLINE” letter signed due at the SFHC office by 5 p.m.
• April 24, 2020 (F): SFHC Dog Day / New Student Orientation; advising day for incoming Scholars to enroll in their Fall 2020 classes.
SFHC APPLICATION TIMELINE
The late Earl and Muriel Smittcamp
"Education and hard work set in place the best foundation for career success and lifelong personal well-being. All our lives we have striven to make a difference through whatever challenges we took on—raising a family, creating an agriculture business, working with our fellow agribusiness entrepreneurs, or pursuing our community and university interests. What success we have achieved has come because we sought to master the basics and worked hard building on that foundation. An Honors College should provide students the opportunity and possibility of becoming the best at everything they do—thinking, analyzing, envisioning, understanding, articulating, and, of course, doing. We felt the best honors college experience should be available to all young people in the Central Valley and are pleased to have a part in making it a reality."
Acknowledgement
The Scholars, faculty, and staff at the Smittcamp Family Honors College
would like to thank the Smittcamp Family and
all other donors for their kind generosity
