Torch Scholars Program Nomination Process
A National Initiative to Recruit Promising Potential

 

Torch Scholars Program Criteria: Before you seek a nominator or nominate a student, please make sure you fit the criteria of the Torch Program. We are looking for students who:

  • Have persevered despite difficult family situations, cultural barriers, financial challenges, or education environments that were unable to prepare them to compete for admission to a highly selective school such as Northeastern.
  • Have not yet demonstrated academic success at the level of their true potential but who would be successful with the additional academic and personal support provided by the Torch Program.
  • Represent a diversity of academic majors, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and geographic areas.
  • Are first-generation college students (students whose parents do not have a degree from a four-year insitition in the U.S.)
  • Are U.S. citizens and residents from low-income households.

Who can nominate a student for the Torch Scholars Program?

Any Professional (guidance counselors, teachers, mentors, clergy, community workers) may nominate students for the Torch Scholars Program. Students should not nominate themselves or their peers for Torch. If you are a student who is interested in the Torch Scholars Program, we encourage you to invite an education or community outreach professional to nominate you.

If you have questions about the Torch Scholars Program Nomination process, contact Jana McCarthy, Torch Scholars Program Director at 617.373.7705 or jg.mccarthy@neu.edu

Nomination Form

The Torch online nomination form is available here. If you prefer to submit the nomination form via fax you can print the PDF form here. Please fax the completed form to Jana McCarthy at 617.373.8780. Nominations help the Torch Scholars Comittee view your nominees as individuals. Please provide detailed and frank assessment of your nominee's strengths and needs. This information will be treated confidentially and used only for purposes of evaluating the applicant's appropriateness for our program.

Nomination Deadlines

December 15, 2009: Torch Scholars nomination deadline. 

January 15, 2010: Application deadline (all Torch Scholar applicants must complete the Common Application and required NU supplement at www.commonapplication.org). We will waive the application fee for Torch nominees upon request. All application materials, including your nomination form, will be considered by the Torch Scholars Selection Committee.

February 15: Priority deadline for financial aid paperwork. Students should complete the FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) in order to be considered for the Torch Scholars program as well as other federal and institutional financial assistance.

February 2010: Finalists will be notified and asked to complete Northeastern’s Comprehensive Leadership Assessment prior to their interview day.

March 2010: Torch Scholars Program decisions are announced. Due to the unique nature of this Program, students selected as Torch Finalists will not receive their admissions decisions from Northeastern until after Scholarship recipients are announced. Students who are alternates for the Torch Scholars Program will receive final decisions no later than May 15.