Mu Alpha Theta
High School Scholarship and/or Kalin Award Application
2015-2016
The Mu Alpha Theta Scholarship for high school students is a scholarship for an exceptional, graduating high school senior who is a member in good standing of an active Mu Alpha Theta chapter. The student must graduate in the same calendar year in which this application is submitted. The recipient of this scholarship should be an outstanding mathematics student and will have provided exemplary leadership and service to their Mu Alpha Theta chapter, enthusiastically participating in local projects, provided service in the area of mathematics, and, by doing so, advanced the mission of Mu Alpha Theta. A number of $4,000 scholarships and three $5,000 scholarships will be available each year. All scholarships will be sent to the recipient’s school of choice to be used for tuition, fees, books, or other educational expenses during the 18 months following the date winners are notified. In order to receive these funds, the recipient must be enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university. The intent of this scholarship is to reduce the recipient’s family financial burden. If this is not the case, the scholarship should be declined so that another deserving student can be selected.
The Kalin Award was created by a grant from Dr. Robert Kalin of Florida State University, a former president of Mu Alpha Theta. The Mu Alpha Theta Educational Foundation continues to support the Kalin Award. To be eligible for the award, a student must be representative of all student members who excel in mathematics and provide notable service to Mu Alpha Theta. The student must be graduating from high school and planning to begin college studies in the year the award is made. The current award amount is $4,000. The winner may take the award as a cash prize or have it sent to their prospective college as a scholarship. Top candidates for the award will be interviewed in person by the Governing Council in July at the National Convention. The winner’s school will also receive a $1,000 Chapter Grant to support their activities. Interviewed finalists, who do not win the award, will each receive a $500 prize.
The Mary Rhein Memorial Scholarship
Mary Rhein was a mathematics teacher and chapter sponsor from Ohio, who was active in the National Mu Alpha Theta organization for 22 years. Mary believed that Mu Alpha Theta gives students who excel in mathematics an identity and a place to belong. She always encouraged her members to act as ambassadors for Mu Alpha Theta, and she viewed competition as a dynamic way for students to use math concepts learned in the classroom. The Mary Rhein Memorial Scholarship was initially funded by a bequest from the estate of Mary Rhein, after her death in 2005 at the age of 48. The $5,000 scholarship is now supported by the Mu Alpha Theta Educational Foundation.
The Sally Scudder Memorial Scholarship
Sallie Scudder was born to do two things: teach math and coach softball. She was passionate about making a difference in the lives of her students and had a positive influence on everyone around her.She taught Calculus and Softball at Berkeley Preparatory School from 1996 to 2002. She then returned to her alma mater, H. B. Plant High School, to teach and until her death at the age of 36.The $5,000 scholarship is supported by donations from the Berkeley Math Club of 2000 – 2001.
The Paul R. Goodey Scholarship
The Paul R. Goodey Scholarship was established to honor the former Secretary-Treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta who served from 2001-2014. Dr. Goodey, a University of Oklahoma George Lynn Cross mathematics professor, has always encouraged students to see the beauty and power of mathematics through research. The Paul R. Goodey Scholarship recipient is a student who has participated in a mathematics related research project while a member of Mu Alpha Theta. This $5,000 scholarship is supported by the Mu Alpha Theta Educational Foundation.
HOW TO APPLY
Each chapter may submit no more than two nominations for Mu Alpha Theta scholarships per year. The chapter’s sponsor will determine how nominees are selected, keeping in mind the above criteria. Each chapter may also submit the name of one student for the Kalin Award, making sure they epitomize the description above. Should one scholarship nominee also be the student nominated for the Kalin Award, then the school will have only two student applications submitted from their chapter. The sponsor may notify the student nominated for the Kalin Award or may keep that selection secret until students are selected for the interview in July.
Transcript and Test Scores
A sealed official copy of the applicant’s high school transcript, signed across the back by a school official should be sent. Please include standardized test scores (SAT and/or ACT, or others.)
Contest Results
Provide a list of contests you participated in while a member of Mu Alpha Theta and your position in contests where you placed. This list should be signed by your sponsor to verify its accuracy.
Letters of Recommendation
All applicants must provide two recommendation letters, one from the Mu Alpha Theta chapter sponsor and one from a Mu Alpha Theta member in the chapter. Recommendations should not come from family members. If the sponsor is related to an applicant, then someone other than the sponsor will need to send the recommendation.
Kalin Award Option
If the student applying for a scholarship is the sponsor’s choice for the Kalin Award, the sponsor must check the box on the ”Sponsor Letter of Recommendation Form” and write additional paragraphs as to why they feel the applicant deserves this award. If the student has been selected by their sponsor to apply just for the Kalin Award, they should check the box at the top of the application form.
A single, large envelope containing all materials should be submitted by each applicant. You may check off necessary items to be included in the envelope:
Application Form
Student’s official high school transcript, including first semester’s grades from your final year of school, and standardized test scores, if available.
Contest results, if any (with sponsor signature). No more than 2 pages.
Mu Alpha Theta Sponsor Letter of Recommendation (Letter must be signed and in a sealed envelope with the teacher’s signature across the back flap.)
Mu Alpha Theta Member Letter of Recommendation (Letter must be signed and in a sealed envelope with the member’s signature across the back flap.)
Envelope must be postmarked by March 1 and mailed to:
Mu Alpha Theta Scholarship Committee
c/o University of Oklahoma
3200 Marshall Ave, Suite 190
Norman, OK 73019
Mu Alpha Theta
High School Scholarship and/or Kalin Award
2015-2016 APPLICATION FORM
Please type or print in black ink. Applying for Kalin Award Only
Name: ______
First M.I. Last
Home Address: ______
Street Address / Apartment Number
______
City State Zip
Phone Number: ______Email: ______
Current High School: ______
School Address: ______
______
City State Zip
Mu Alpha Theta Sponsor: ______Sponsor’s Email______
Student's Mu Alpha Theta ID number: ______
(Sponsors can find this online by logging in to their current student list at www.mualphatheta.org.)
Please complete the following: (Additional pages may be added as needed.)
1. Place an “X” on the following chart if you participated in any of the following while a member of Mu Alpha Theta. Elaborate on your responsibilities in your essay in #10.
School Year Ending in / Club Activities / Tutoring / Chapter Officer / State or National Officer2012
2013
2014
2015
2. Place an “X” on the following chart if you participated in any of the following competitions. Include a list of contest results listed by year and signed by your sponsor on a separate page. Do not send any results except your own.
School Year Ending in / Mu Alpha Theta National Convention / State (e.g. Math League,FAMAT) / National Contests(e.g. Log1, RCML, AMC, ARML, USAMO)
2012
2013
2014
2015
3. List your best score for each of the following that you have taken.
ACT Math: ______
SAT Math: ______
SAT II Math: ______
AMC 10: ______
AMC 12: ______
AIME: ______
USAMO: ______
4. GPA (on a 4 pt scale): ______
Class Rank (if reported): ______out of ______
5. List any math courses taken beyond the Precalculus level and indicate if the courses were Advanced Placement, IB, or college level.
6. List any science, computer science, or engineering courses taken, indicating if the courses were Advanced Placement, IB, or college level.
7. List any student accomplishments such as awards from math/science fairs or other math/science related achievements with a brief description of work done.
8. If you have done any math or science research that was not a high school classroom assignment, please describe your research.
9. What role might mathematics play in your future career or in what you plan to study in college? Has your participation in Mu Alpha Theta affected your plans?
10. Write one or two paragraphs that give a clear picture of you as a member of Mu Alpha Theta. This should include, but is not limited to, your participation in Mu Alpha Theta activities, math competitions, and club leadership roles. List your duties and specific roles you played. Indicate any impact your participation has had on you.
11. Write an essay indicating what sets you apart from other applicants for this scholarship/award and why the Scholarship Committee should select you as a recipient. Feel free to describe specific accomplishments.
Mu Alpha Theta
High School Scholarship and/or Kalin Award
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION - SPONSOR
Student’s Name ______
Person Writing Recommendation ______
Please write a recommendation letter for the student above who has applied for a scholarship from Mu Alpha Theta. We prefer that recommendations do not come from a family member. When writing the recommendation please discuss this student’s mathematical ability, participation, activities, math competition participation and results, leadership, and contributions to encouraging interest in mathematics citing specific examples.
It is helpful if you read the student’s essay and information form before writing your recommendation. Providing information and details not already discussed by the student is helpful in learning more about the individual when we judge the applications.
What leadership roles has this applicant held? Be specific.
Approximately what % of club activities has this applicant attended?
In approximately what % of competitions available has this applicant participated?
Your recommendation should be signed and returned to the applicant in a sealed envelope, signed across the back flap. If this page does not accompany your recommendation, please write the student’s name on the front of your envelope. Thank you.
Kalin Award Option
The Kalin Award recognizes a graduating high school senior who has excelled in mathematics and performed notable service to Mu Alpha Theta communities. This is the highest honor any Mu Alpha Theta member can receive. The top five nominees for this award will be interviewed by the Governing Council at our summer convention. Your nominee must attend the convention to win this award, if selected to be interviewed. Sponsors may nominate only one member from their chapter for the Kalin Award each year. If your student asked you to fill out this recommendation form to apply for a scholarship, you may also nominate them for the Kalin Award. You may do this by checking the box below. Please write additional paragraphs as to why you feel the applicant deserves this award. You need not tell your scholarship applicant that they have also been nominated for the Kalin Award, if you wish to keep the nomination secret. The Kalin Award winner receives an additional cash prize and a distinguished plaque. The winner’s chapter receives a $1,000 Chapter Grant. Interviewed finalists that do not win the award will receive a $500 cash prize.
This student is our chapter’s nominee for the Kalin Award.
Mu Alpha Theta
High School Scholarship and/or Kalin Award
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION - MEMBER
Student’s Name ______
Person Writing Recommendation ______
Please write a recommendation letter for the student above who has applied for a scholarship/award from Mu Alpha Theta. You must be a member or former member of the school’s Mu Alpha Theta chapter that knows first-hand of this student’s service and their leadership in your chapter. Please cite specific examples. Letter of recommendations should not come from a family member.
This recommendation should be signed and returned to the applicant in a sealed envelope, signed across the back flap. You are welcome to use your own paper. If this page does not accompany your recommendation, please write the student’s name on the front of your envelope. Thank you.
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