The Jefferson Scholars Foundation has made its annual scholarship offers to 44 students selected by a committee composed of alumni, faculty and administrators, according to Alex Inman, a representative for the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, which is affiliated with the Alumni Association.
The Jefferson Scholars selection weekend began last Thursday and concluded with interviews Sunday morning.
Inman described the weekend as a four-day event which served not only to select the winners but also to let all 96 finalists become acquainted with the University and build relationships among themselves.
The schedule of events included both testing and evaluation of the nominees as well as information sessions and dinners, Inman said.
A Jefferson Scholarship covers the full cost of attending the University, including books, room, board and other expenses.
James Wright, president of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, said in general they "have been offering between 40 and 44 or 45" scholarships while the number of scholars who matriculate the University has been between 30 and 35 students.
Inman said the numbers vary from year to year because, although a number of specific scholarships exist, the committee does not work from a quota.
The Jefferson Scholars program focuses on three qualities: leadership, scholarship and citizenship, Inman said.
Inman also said while a "strong majority become Echols or Rodman Scholars," not all Jefferson Scholars are selected for the Echols and Rodman programs. The College honors and Engineering honors programs are completely separate from the Jefferson Scholars program and focus on different areas, he said.
This year, the average SAT score for those students who were extended offers was 2252 (on the new 2400 point scale), with 19 nominees scoring a perfect 800 on at least one of the three sections of the exam, Inman said.
"The Jefferson Scholars Foundation's mission is to benefit the University of Virginia by recognizing and rewarding excellence," Wright said in a press release. "These young men and women embody excellence in leadership, scholarship, and citizenship, and possess the potential to provide the next generation of leadership to the University, the nation, and the world."
According to the press release, the foundation is supported by private donors, and currently provides scholarships to 125 undergraduates.
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