Merit-Based Scholarships for Incoming Students
Neely and Trustee Scholarships
The Barbara Hirschi Neely Scholarships, Lewis & Clark’s highest merit awards, recognize men and women of exceptional academic achievement and distinctive personal accomplishment. Up to 10 scholarships are awarded to entering first-year students and are renewable annually, based on continued academic excellence as evidenced by maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher. The scholarships provide full tuition and fees, valued at more than $127,000 over four years.
The Neely Scholarships are made possible by Barbara Hirschi Neely, who established numerous trust funds to benefit Lewis & Clark College. When she died in January 1990, these trust funds totaled $6.2 million—all designated as endowment funds for student aid.
Up to 15 merit-based Trustee Scholarships will also be awarded. These scholarships are valued at one half of tuition and fees per year and are renewable annually for the next three years based on continued academic excellence as evidenced by maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher—a cumulative value of more than $63,600. Both scholarships are renewable annually based Lewis & Clark’s Neely and Trustee scholarship winners have earned many additional honors, including: the Rhodes Scholarship, the Truman Scholarship, the Goldwater Scholarship, the James Madison Fellowship, and the Fulbright Fellowship; membership in Phi Beta Kappa and Dr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr. honor societies; and awards from the Mellon Foundation and the National Science Foundation.
Basis of Eligibility
Neely and Trustee Scholarships are available to first-year applicants for admission. Transfer students are not eligible. The faculty selection committee considers candidates on the basis of academic record, preferred areas, and character and personality.
Academic Record—Past recipients have followed an exceptionally challenging curriculum and attained superior records. Standardized test scores place them well above national norms. (Standardized tests are optional for students applying through the Portfolio Path to Admission.)
Preferred Areas—Special preference is given to:
1) Math/sciences: students whose interests, curiosities, and commitments lie in the sciences, with the intent of advancing the understanding of natural systems and promoting responsible use of resources, or
2) International education/issues: students who possess an unusually keen interest in the history, arts, and political and social realities of other nations or cultures and who are prepared to become citizens of the world.
Character and Personality—Previous winners had superior recommendations. Candidates should utilize both the personal essay and admission interview to enhance their credentials. In all they did, past finalists sought challenges and made the most of opportunities presented to them. They were leaders both in and out of the classroom.
Selection Process
The Office of Admissions and a faculty selection committee review top candidates for Neely and Trustee Scholarships. Emphasis is given to candidates’ intellectual interests and academic performance. Strong candidates demonstrate interest in one of the preferred areas described above through course selection, grades, and activities beyond the classroom (e.g., summer activities). Candidates are not required to achieve a minimum GPA or test score; however, standards are high. The following is an academic profile of the 2007 Trustee and Neely Scholars:
GPA: 98% had a GPA of 3.9 or higher
Rank: 98% were in the top tenth of their class.
SAT: Middle 50% range 1440-1510 (CR+M)
ACT: Middle 50% range 32-34
Student Applications
To be eligible for consideration, the student must submit all credentials required for completed application to the College no later than February 1. No nomination is required. Notification of Winners
Winners are announced by March 15. Dean's Scholarships
More than 100 of these merit-based scholarships are available to entering first-year and transfer students based on their academic program and performance. The amount of the scholarship varies from $4,000 to $10,000. Scholarships are renewable for three additional years based on continued academic excellence by achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. All students admitted to the College are considered for these scholarships; no separate form other than the application for admission is required. The following is an academic profile of the 2007 Dean’s Scholars:
GPA: Middle 50% range 3.84–4.0
Rank: Nearly 84% were in the top tenth of their class.
SAT: Middle 50% range 1300-1410 (CR+M)
ACT: Middle 50% range 28-31
Leadership and Service Awards
These awards recognize students who have demonstrated outstanding academics combined with exemplary leadership and/or service in their school or community. Scholarships are worth $5,000 per year and are renewable for three additional years based on continued leadership and/or service combined with academic success. All admitted students are considered for these scholarships; no separate form other than the application for admission is required. The following is an academic profile of the 2007 recipients: GPA: Middle 50% range 3.66-4.0
Rank: 97% were in the top quarter of their class.
SAT: Middle 50% range 1210-1330
ACT: Middle 50% range 26-30
Herbert Templeton National Merit Scholarships
Lewis & Clark offers awards of $1,000 to entering first-year students who have been selected as National Merit finalists and who have named Lewis & Clark as their first-choice college with the National Merit Corporation by May 1. Music and Forensics Scholarships
Students who demonstrate exceptional talent and commitment in music or forensics may be considered for awards. For details, contact: Music scholarship information:
Dave Becker
Department of Music
Lewis & Clark College
0615 S.W. Palatine Hill Road
Portland, Oregon 97219-7899
503-768-7460
music@lclark.edu
Forensics scholarship information:
Steve Hunt
Director of Forensics
Lewis & Clark College
0615 S.W. Palatine Hill Road
Portland, Oregon 97219-7899
503-768-7617
hunt@lclark.edu
Private Scholarships
Private scholarships, many of which are based on merit or special criteria, are an increasingly important source of funding for students. Last year, Lewis & Clark students garnered over $1 million in external scholarship money awarded by businesses, community groups, and religious and fraternal organizations. Your high school counselor should be able to refer you to local scholarship sources. If you are on campus, you are also welcome to use the reference information located in the Office of Student Financial Services and in Watzek Library to research sources of private scholarships. Information about all other merit-based scholarships:
Office of Admissions
Lewis & Clark College
0615 S.W. Palatine Hill Road
Portland, Oregon 97219-7899
503-768-7040
800-444-4111 toll free
503-768-7055 fax
admissions@lclark.edu
| 
