Park Scholars Program

Park Scholarships--more than a scholarship.
The Park Scholarship is an unparalleled opportunity to explore your intellect, individuality, leadership, and aspirations. It is the opportunity to discover what is true, right, and lasting through a combination of rigorous academics, altruistic service, and bold, real-world experience — and the challenge to manifest that discovery through a lifelong, principled commitment to self, others, and the world.

The Park Scholarship is made up of a strong community of peers — almost 200 undergraduate Scholars, who distinguish themselves through original thinking, enterprise, leadership, humility, and compassion. Enhancing this campus community is a supportive network of Park Scholarship Alumni — influential and successful women and men eager to mentor bright, young Scholars by offering advice, internships, and career opportunities. Through their generous commitment of time, talent, and financial resources, these Alumni invest in the success of every Scholar welcomed into the Park Program.

Rather than a reward for past achievement, the Park anticipates achievements yet to come with four years of tuition to North Carolina State University; an annual stipend covering all living expenses; encouragement and support from a staff that understands the demands of excellence; a laptop computer; four distinct enrichment programs that take you from the mountains of North Carolina where you build lasting relationship with your fellow Parks through team-building, to state and national destinations and rich experiences: investigating an issue that is of great importance to our state and then again an issue that is of national importance in Washington D.C., on Learning Lab I and Learning Lab II, respectively.
Free from financial constraints and afforded remarkable opportunities, Park Scholars can pursue our interests and ideals, transforming themselves from gifted high school students into self-aware young adults who understand that with great gifts come even greater responsibilities. We accept these responsibilities with pride and dignity. We embrace the challenge inherent in every Park Scholarship awarded.
Posted by: John Campbell

The Park Scholarships at NC State is funded by the Park Foundation in Ithaca, New York. It pays for your tuition, board, textbooks, and various other school related costs. A computer stipend is also included! The money and the stress it relieves is a great benefit; however, the Park Scholarship is more than just a “full ride.”
The Park experience encompasses different trips, seminars, and activities throughout your four years. Freshmen start their college experience by going on the Park Freshmen Retreat. At the retreat, you meet your Park class, learn about the program, and participate in teambuilding activities. Freshmen also meet weekly to hear various speakers from departments across campus.

In the spring, freshmen participate in “Freshmen Service.” Freshmen team up and work with a local non-profit agency throughout the semester. Learning Lab 1 is also held in the Spring. Your class decides on a current issue that affects North Carolina. The class then travels to a location that this issue is affecting. Past topics have included Sustainable Energy and Global Warming.
Sophomore year is defined by Learning Lab 2! This is similar to Learning Lab 1 only your class picks a topic that relates to a National issue. The group travels to Washington, D.C. to hear from top officials on your issue. Juniors attend Leadership Academy. This two-day event trains you about modern leadership techniques and theories. Finally, if you have survived the last three action-packed, mind-expanding years, Seniors attend Senior Retreat. The survivors travel to a National Park for a trip of self-reflection. Those are the “official” Park activities. The Park activities are wonderful; but, the bonds you make within your class extend well outside your events. Professors are also very receptive to Park scholars. I have heard some instructors say that when a Park is in their class, it seems as if the class goes up a level.

The Park Scholarship involves more time and commitments than other students may have to give for their financial support, but the rewards are far more than just “money for college”.
Posted by: Lacey Martin