Nominating a Student
Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships provide full financial support for four years of study at the University of Virginia, as well as enrichment opportunities like travel abroad, career development opportunities, and access to the Foundation’s extensive network of Scholars, Fellows, alumni, and volunteers.
High school counselors play an integral role in the selection of Jefferson and Walentas Scholars. With your unique insight into your school’s community and its senior class, we ask you to identify and recognize students who best exemplify leadership, scholarship, and engaged citizenship.
On this page, you will find helpful information to assist you through the process. We recommend exploring the drop-down menu in the order listed, before exploring any of the embedded hyperlinks. If you have any questions or concerns after reading through the information on this page, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Overview
Criteria
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation seeks to attract to the University of Virginia the most promising student leaders in the world, individuals who demonstrate superior potential for providing exceptional contributions to the University as students and to the world at large as alumni of the University. In granting the awards, the Foundation looks for excellence in:
- leadership ability
- scholarship ability
- responsible citizenship
To be eligible to compete, a nominee must:
- Be an enrolled member of the current graduating class who has not yet received a diploma.
- Be selected by their school as the nominee.
- Not have been previously nominated for a Jefferson or Walentas Scholarship.
In addition, Walentas Scholarship nominees must be be first-generation college-bound, defined as neither parent/primary guardian having earned a bachelor’s degree or the international equivalent by the start of a student’s final year of high school.
Students who transfer schools during or ahead of their final year should be nominated by the school in which they are currently enrolled. However, supporting documentation for such a nominee may be provided by the previous school official.
The Foundation strongly encourages, but does not require, all participating schools to nominate a candidate who is willing to complete the entire process and apply to UVA, which could mean foregoing a binding application to another school.
Prior interest in the University of Virginia and financial need should not be factors in selecting a nominee for either scholarship.
Please note that not every region is currently able to nominate for both scholarships. Your nomination portal will indicate the scholarship(s) for which you can nominate. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Nomination
Nominations are completed by both school officials and students.
School officials must submit:
- Basic nominee information (name, email address, date of birth)
- Scholastic information about your school
- Supporting documents: 1 letter of recommendation, transcript, and school profile
Nominees must submit:
- Contact information
- Activities
- Awards
- Two essays: personal statement and leadership essay
All nomination materials for Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships must be submitted by school officials and nominees according to the regional deadline. Most regions have a deadline of December 2. Schools in the International and Domestic At-Large regions have a separate deadline of November 15.
Please note: The Jefferson Scholars Foundation is separate from the Office of Undergraduate Admission and does not have access to the Common Application.
Regional Review
Regional Selection Committees, comprised of alumni and friends of the University, review transcripts, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations of all nominees before extending invitations to one or more rounds of interviews.
Should a nominee progress to the interview stage, a panel interview will occur sometime in January. Some interviews take place virtually, while others may be in-person. Specific details will be included in an invitation to interview. If you or your nominee have questions about accessing the interview, please contact us.
Finalists are invited to participate in the final stage of the selection process in late February.
Final Selection
After all Finalists are identified, they are invited to participate in a final round of interviews conducted by UVA alumni and friends. All final interviews for both the Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships are virtual without exception.
Those selected to receive a Jefferson or Walentas Scholarship are invited to visit Charlottesville and explore the University of Virginia. The Jefferson Scholars Foundation covers expenses associated with travel, accommodations, and meals.
All recipients must decide whether to accept the Scholarship offer by mid-April.
Key Dates
The selection processes for the Jefferson and Walentas Scholarships are separate from the University of Virginia’s admissions process, and therefore have a unique timeline.
- August- Nomination portal opens for eligible schools.
- November 15- Counselor and nominee materials are due for the At-Large and International At-Large regions. If you are unsure if this deadline applies to you, please contact us.
- December 2- Counselor and nominee materials are due for all other regions.
- Mid-December thru January- Regional review and interviews are conducted.
- Late February- Final virtual interviews are conducted.
