Ottawa University

Prospective Students Visit OU, Apply for Scholarships

OTTAWA, Kansas - Prospective students from across the country have been visiting and applying to Ottawa University over the past several weeks and months.  Most recently, on February 11 and 12, 2007, over 60 high school juniors and seniors from Colorado, Texas, Missouri and Kansas experienced college life at OU during an Overnight Prospective Student Visit Opportunity.  

During their visit, prospective students were given the chance to see and learn about OU's student organizations, academics, athletics, and theatre and music programs.   Besides meeting with faculty, coaches, program directors, and current students, the overnight attendees were given information regarding the admissions and financial aid processes.  Some students even took the opportunity to attend auditions for various programs and interview for scholarships.        

A few of the weekend's participants will be returning Saturday, February 24, 2007, along with other students who have qualified, to apply for one of three full-tuition Presidential Scholarships.  Only students who have met the following three criteria are invited to compete for the scholarships: 3.5 cumulative high school GPA, 25 composite ACT score (or equivalent), in upper 1/3 of high school class. 

The scholarship competition includes a review of the student's academic, co-curricular, volunteer and employment history, as well as a written essay and an interview with a panel of faculty and administrators.  The top three competitors will be named Presidential Scholars and will be invited to a private dinner with the President or Vice President and Provost of the University.  They will receive additional benefits and honors throughout their four years at OU, while at the same time being required to continue their academic and leadership excellence.  Recipients of the scholarships will be announced within two weeks of the competition.

Ashley Ford is a past recipient of the Presidential Scholarship and understands its value to prospective students.  "Originally I wanted to come to OU because I knew it would be a place to be challenged in many different aspects of my life, including academically and spiritually," said Ashley.  "Receiving the Presidential Scholarship was important to me because it gave me a chance to come to my choice school, which otherwise might not have been financially possible."

Founded in 1865, Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA. Ottawa University's educational mission brings together a residential campus in Ottawa, Kansas, and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kansas; Kansas City, Missouri; Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe, Arizona; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Jeffersonville, Indiana; as well as multiple international instructional sites.  For more information, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/.

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