The students in this year’s class span 37 counties from across the Commonwealth. This gifted group of high school sophomores brings with them to the Gatton Academy an average ACT score over 10 points higher than the statewide average for graduating seniors.
Last fall, 280 students began the admissions process with 175 students qualifying for review. Students were reviewed based on ACT/SAT scores, high school grades, awards, extracurricular activities, responses to essay questions, and letters of recommendation. Last month, 95 candidates were invited for interviews with Academy staff members and representatives from across Kentucky. In the end, 50 dynamic applicants emerged from the review process.
Tim Gott, director of the Gatton Academy, expects these students to continue the level of academic and personal engagement Academy students have demonstrated over the last five years.
“With our sixth recruited class, we continue to see the unmatched depth of ability and passion of students from across the Commonwealth,” Gott said. “These students demonstrate, once again, that the Commonwealth can compete globally in producing young women and men who will have a major impact in STEM fields.”
The selected students scored an average composite of 30.02 on the ACT and 29.8 on the math portion of the exam. The highest possible score is 36. The 2010 state average ACT score for graduating Kentucky high school seniors was a composite of 19.6.
“The strength of the members of the Gatton Academy’s Class of 2014 is a testament to the good work of educators and schools across the state,” said Corey Alderdice, the Academy’s assistant director for admissions and public relations. “We look forward to the opportunity to now partner with those districts to continue to meet the educational, social, and emotional needs of these high-ability students. Their experiences will be the flagstone in these young people’s pursuit to lead Kentucky in the 21st century.”
The incoming class includes students from the following counties: Bath, Boone, Boyle, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Calloway, Campbell, Christian, Clark, Crittenden, Daviess, Fayette, Fleming, Gallatin, Greenup, Hancock, Hardin, Henderson, Jefferson, Jessamine, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lincoln, Lyon, McCracken, Morgan, Nelson, Oldham, Pendleton, Perry, Pike, Trigg, Warren, Wayne, Webster, and Wolfe.
This year, four counties had students admitted to the Gatton Academy for the first time: Gallatin, Knott, Perry, and Morgan. To date, the Gatton Academy has admitted students from 107 of Kentucky’s 120 counties.
The goals of the Gatton Academy are to enable Kentucky’s exceptional young scientists and mathematicians to learn in an environment that offers advanced educational opportunities, preparing them for leadership roles in Kentucky. Moreover, the Gatton Academy assists in preparing Kentucky to compete in a knowledge-based economy by increasing the number of scientists and engineers who live and work in the state.
Students will finish their junior and senior years of high school living in Schneider Hall and taking courses offered by WKU. At the end of their two-year course of study, they will graduate from high school and have earned at least 60 college credit hours.
The Academy provides a rich living/learning environment designed specifically for academically talented adolescent students that features clubs, organizations, and community service. Additionally students are able to participate in advanced research with WKU faculty members. Research conducted during students’ time at the Gatton Academy has been honored in the nationally competitive Siemens Competition, Intel Science Talent Search, Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program, and the Department of Defense Science, Math, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship Program. Three-out-of-every-four Gatton Academy students also participate in a study abroad or global learning experience in locations such as Costa Rica, Italy, Greece, England, China, or Morocco.
The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s only state-supported, residential program for high school students with interests in advanced science and math careers and one of fifteen such programs in the nation. In 2011, Newsweek magazine ranked the Gatton Academy as one of the nation’s top five public high schools.
Students selected for the Gatton Academy Class of 2014 are available after the jump.
Events will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Snell Hall on the WKU campus. Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. in the building lobby with sessions kicking off at 10 a.m. in Snell Hall, room 2113. Activities for the day will also include campus and residence hall tours as well as parent and student question-and-answer panels.
Preview Weekends present a unique opportunity for prospective applicants and their families to meet with Gatton Academy students and their parents, visit the Gatton Academy’s location in Schneider Hall, and gain a better understanding of student life at the Gatton Academy. Topics will include the role of the ACT and SAT in the admissions process, research experiences, global learning opportunities, and qualities of a strong applicant.
Parking will be available in the Chestnut Street North parking lot. Click here for a WKU parking map.
The Gatton Academy is a residential program for 120 high school juniors and seniors from Kentucky who have demonstrated talent and interest in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students apply during their sophomore year through a competitive admissions process. To date, students from 103 counties across the Commonwealth have been selected to attend the prestigious program.
The goal of the Gatton Academy is to enable Kentucky’s exceptional young scientists and mathematicians to learn in an environment that offers advanced educational opportunities, preparing them for leadership roles in Kentucky that will lead to economic growth. Housing, tuition and meals are funded by the Commonwealth at no cost to students or their family.
Instead of spending their junior and senior years in traditional high schools, Gatton Academy students take courses offered by WKU. At the end of two years, students earn more than 60 hours of college credit in addition to completing high school. Students live and learn with peers who share their enthusiasm and interest in learning.
In 2011, Newsweek magazine ranked The Gatton Academy fifth nationally among all public high schools part of their annual “America’s Best High Schools” listing.
The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky will host a Preview Weekend at Western Kentucky University on Saturday, September 24, 2011, for prospective students, their parents and educators.
Events will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Schneider Hall on the WKU campus. Families will meet in the lobby of Schneider Hall beginning at 9:30 a.m. Sessions will begin at 10 a.m. Activities for the day will also include campus and hall tours as well as parent and students question-and-answer panels.
Preview Weekends present a unique opportunity for prospective applicants and their families to meet with current Academy students and their parents, visit Schneider Hall, and gain a better understanding of student life at the Gatton Academy. Special emphasis will be given to current ninth grade students who will begin the admissions process during Fall 2009. Topics will include the role of the ACT and SAT in the admissions process, suggested courses for sophomore year, and qualities of a strong applicant.
Parking will be available in the lot behind Schneider Hall and Parking Structure 1, which are both accessible from College Heights Blvd. For a WKU campus map, please visit http://www.wku.edu/Tour/campusmap.html.
The Gatton Academy, a residential program for 120 high school juniors and seniors from Kentucky who have demonstrated talent and interest in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, is in its second year of operation. To date, students from 86 counties across the Commonwealth have been selected to attend the prestigious program. Students apply during their sophomore year through a competitive admissions process.
The goal of the Gatton Academy is to enable Kentucky’s exceptional young scientists and mathematicians to learn in an environment which offers advanced educational opportunities, preparing them for leadership roles in Kentucky that will lead to economic growth. Instead of spending their junior and senior years in traditional high schools, Gatton Academy students take courses offered by WKU. At the end of two years, student earn over 60 hours of college credit in addition to completing high school.
Students live and learn with peers who share their enthusiasm and interest in learning. Room, board and tuition are funded by the Commonwealth. Kentucky is the 14th state to offer a residential program with a focus on math and science supported by the state.
Additional information is available online at www.wku.edu/academy. For more information, contact Corey Alderdice at (270) 745-2971.
The students in this year’s class span 46 counties from across the Commonwealth. This gifted group of high school sophomores brings with them to the Gatton Academy an average ACT score almost 10 points higher than the statewide average for graduating seniors.
Last fall, 280 students began the admissions process with 171 students qualifying for review. Students were reviewed based on ACT/SAT scores, high school grades, awards, extracurricular activities, responses to essay questions, and letters of recommendation. Earlier this month, 102 candidates were invited for interviews with Academy staff members and representatives from across Kentucky. In the end, 73 dynamic applicants emerged from the review process.
Tim Gott, director of the Gatton Academy, expects these students to continue the level of academic and personal engagement Academy students have demonstrated over the last four years.
“With our fifth recruited class, we continue to see the depth of ability and passion of students from across the state,” Gott said. “This cohort demonstrates, once again, that the Commonwealth can compete globally in producing young men and women who will have a major impact in STEM fields.”
The selected students scored an average composite of 28.9 on the ACT and 28.7 on the math portion of the exam. The highest possible score is 36. The 2010 state average ACT score for graduating Kentucky high school seniors was a composite of 19.0.
“The members of the Gatton Academy’s Class of 2013 have demonstrated they are ready for a greater academic challenge,” said Corey Alderdice, the Academy assistant director for admissions and public relations. “They will bring to WKU a variety of passions and abilities. Our goal will be to sharpen those skills as they grow and mature both academically and socially. Their experiences will be the flagstone in their pursuit to lead Kentucky in the 21st century.”
The incoming class includes students from the following counties: Barren, Boone, Bourbon, Boyle, Breckenridge, Bullitt, Butler, Carroll, Carter, Christian, Cumberland, Daviess, Elliott, Estill, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Greenup, Hardin, Hart, Henderson, Hopkins, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Mason, McCracken, Meade, Menifee, Montgomery, Muhlenberg, Nelson, Nicholas, Oldham, Rockcastle, Shelby, Simpson, Spencer, Taylor, Todd, Union, Warren, Wolfe.
The Gatton Academy has now admitted students from 103 counties.
This year, eight counties had students admitted to the Gatton Academy for the first time: Breckinridge, Elliott, Floyd, Mason, Meade, Menifee, Nicholas and Wolfe. To date, the Gatton Academy has admitted students from 103 of Kentucky’s 120 counties.
The goals of the Gatton Academy are to enable Kentucky’s exceptional young scientists and mathematicians to learn in an environment that offers advanced educational opportunities, preparing them for leadership roles in Kentucky. Moreover, the Gatton Academy assists in preparing Kentucky to compete in a knowledge-based economy by increasing the number of scientists and engineers who live and work in the state.
Students will finish their junior and senior years of high school living in Schneider Hall and taking courses offered by WKU. At the end of their two-year course of study, they will graduate from high school and have earned at least 60 college credit hours.
The Academy provides a rich living/learning environment designed specifically for academically talented adolescent students that features clubs, organizations and community service. Additionally students are able to participate in advanced research with WKU faculty members. Research conducted during students’ time at the Gatton Academy has been honored in the nationally competitive Siemens Competition, Intel Science Talent Search, Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program, and the Department of Defense Science, Math, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship Program.
The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s only state-supported, residential program for high school students with interests in advanced science and math careers and one of sixteen such programs in the nation. In 2010, Newsweek magazine honored the Academy as one of 20 “Public Elite” American high schools.
Students selected for the Gatton Academy Class of 2013
From Barren County: Victoria Cain, a student at Barren County High School whose parents are Tonya Cain and Douglas Cain.
From Boone County: Akhil Ghanta, a student at Boone County High School whose parents are Uma and Koteswara Ghanta; Leonard Ivey, a student at Larry A. Ryle High School whose parents are Jeana and Eugene Ivey; Hannah Pennington, a student at Conner High School whose parents are Jo Anne and Gregory Pennington; Cheyenne Ullrey, a student at Walton Verona High School whose parents are David and Jennifer Hurta and Baird Ullrey; Paige Volpenhein, a student at Boone County High School whose parents are Kelly and Andrew Volpenhein.
From Bourbon County: Erica Plummer, a student at Bourbon County High School whose parents are Elizabeth and Mark Plummer.
From Boyle County: Cecily Allen, a student at Danville High School whose parents are Susan and Mark Allen; Nicholas Fedorka, a student at Boyle County High School whose parents are Suzanne and Thomas Fedorka; Mary Spraggs, a student at Danville High School whose parents are Linda and Richard Spraggs.
From Breckinridge County: William Hawley, a student at Frederick Fraize High School whose parents are Lisa and William Hawley Jr.
From Bullitt County: Erica Johnson, a student at North Bullitt High School whose parents are Sheila and Nathan Johnson; Justin Johnson, a student at North Bullitt High School whose parents are Karen and Robert Johnson.
From Butler County: Alonna Ballinger, a student at Butler County High School whose parents are Denise and Thomas Ballinger.
From Carroll County: Linda Cruz, a student at Carroll County High School whose parents are Luz Maria Cruz and Guillermo Tepetate.
From Carter County: John Anthony Biechele-Speziale, a student at East Carter County High School whose parents are Sherri Speziale and Jennifer Biechele.
From Christian County: Tyler Powell, a student at Christian County High School whose parents are Melissa and Donald Powell; Kathleen Bell, a home school student whose parents are Annette and David Bell.
From Cumberland County: Gabriel Smith, a student at Cumberland County High School whose parents are Fran and Greg Smith.
From Daviess County: Dixa Patel, a student at Daviess County High School whose parents are Jyotsana and Harish Patel; Madison Preece, a student at Daviess County High School whose parents are Denise and Kevin Preece.
From Elliott County: Barry Blair, a student at Elliott County High School whose parents are Melanie and Barry Blair.
From Estill County: Natascha Richardson, a student at Estill County High School whose parents are Antje and Carlos Ray Richardson II; Matthew Ruffner, a student at Madison Southern High School whose parents are Gwen Heffner and Robert Ruffner.
From Fayette County: Samuel Dong, a student at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School whose parents are Lin Qiong Fan and Mao Fei Dong; Lauren Shields, a student at Tates Creek High School whose parents are Stacy and Anthony Shields; Ethan Smith, a student at Tates Creek High School whose parents are Trish and Mike Smith; Alexandra Sunnenberg, a student at Henry Clay High School whose parent is Janet Sunnenberg.
From Floyd County: Wade Vierheller, a student at Piarist School whose parents are Chenzhao and Thomas Vierheller.
From Franklin County: Garrett Barnes, a student at Franklin County High School whose parents are Anita and Rodney Barnes; Sibi Rajendran, a student at Franklin County High School whose parents are Preetha and Narayanan Rajendran.
From Greenup County: Catherine Sloas, a student at East Carter County High School whose parents are Kitty and Larry Sloas; Henry Uradu, a student at Russell High School whose parents are Rose Uradu and Onyemauche Opara.
From Hardin County: Katherine Corcoran, a student at Bethlehem High School whose parents are Donna Wilson and Thomas Corcoran; Nathaniel Serpico, a student at Elizabethtown High School whose parents Pam and Ralph Serpico.
From Hart County: Riley Askins, a student at Hart County High School whose parents are Deborah Flint and Wayne Askins; Leslie Wilson, a student at Hart County High School whose parents are Patricia and Paul Wilson.
From Henderson County: Ellen Green, a student at Henderson County Senior High School whose parents are Michelle and Todd Green; Alison Jones, a student at Henderson County Senior High School whose parent is Dana Jones.
From Hopkins County: Roxanne Coburn, a student at Hopkins County Central High School whose parents are Lesley and Charles Coburn Jr.; Chiraag Kapadia, a student at Madisonville North Hopkins High School whose parents are Maya and Deepak Kapadia.
From Jefferson County: Lindsey Burke, a student at Louisville Male High School whose parents are Deborah and William Burke.
From Jessamine County: Noah Dixon, a student at West Jessamine High School whose parents are Karen and Charles Dixon.
From Kenton County: Miranda Cruse, a student at Simon Kenton High School whose parents are Penny and Brian Cruse.
From Lincoln County: Meghan Hall, a student at Lincoln County High School whose parent is Becky Eubanks.
From Logan County: Charvinia Detton Kesi Amira Neblett, a student at Russellville High School whose parents are Marvinia Jetton Benton-Neblett and Charles Delbert Neblett.
From Marion County: Anna Hamilton, a student at Bardstown High School whose parents are Mary and Charles Hamilton Jr.
From Mason County: Duncan Wood, a student at Mason County High School whose parents are Patricia and Stockton Wood.
From McCracken County: Eileen Doan, a student at Lone Oak High School whose parent is Minh Doan; Emily Gordon, a student at Lone Oak High School whose parents are Gina Gordon and Kenneth Gordon.
From Meade County: Leah Cannady, a student at Meade County High School whose parents are Leona and Jeff Cannady; Meaghan Dunn, a student at Meade County High School whose parents are Anita and James Dunn.
From Menifee County: William Roach-Barrette, a student at Menifee County High School whose parents are Rebecca Roach and Randy Barrette.
From Montgomery County: Wayne Schmitt, a student at Montgomery County High School whose parents are Donna Cockrell and Hermann Schmitt.
From Muhlenberg County: David Brown, a student at Muhlenberg County High School whose parents are Paula and Gregory Brown.
From Nelson County: Miranda Parrish, a student at Bardstown High School whose parents are Ramona and Charles Parrish.
From Nicholas County: Lara Johanna van der Heiden, a student at Nicholas County High School whose parents are Kim and Arie van der Heiden.
From Oldham County: Richard Cockerell, a student at Trinity High School whose parents are Susan and Tray Cockerell; Thomas Seibold, a student at South Oldham High School whose parents are Kay and Dave Seibold.
From Shelby County: Matthew Gonazelz, a student at Rockcastle County High School whose parents are Wanda and Stephen Burdine.
From Shelby County: Samuel Saarinen, a student at Shelby County High School whose parents are Anne and Timothy Saarinen.
From Simpson County: Jeet Parekh, a student at Franklin-Simpson High School whose parents are Varsha and Ambarish Parekh.
From Spencer County: Adrian Gregory, a student at Spencer County High School whose parents are Amy and Ronald Gregory.
From Taylor County: Jonathan Bailey, a student at Taylor County High School whose parents are Vicky and Charles Bailey.
From Todd County: William Johnson III, a student at Heritage Christian Academy whose parents are Delinda and William Ejner Johnson Jr.; Melissa Smith, a student at Todd County Central High School whose parents are Rita and James Smith.
From Union County: Elizabeth Gatten, a student at Union County High School whose parents are Meg and Donald Gatten.
From Wolfe County: Mamie Caldwell, a student at Wolfe County High School whose parents are Paula and Omer Caldwell.
From Warren County: Meredith Doughty, a student at Greenwood High School whose parents are Valerie Lyons and Robert Doughty; Ryan Gott, a student at Bowling Green High School whose parents are Ellen and Tim Gott; Eva Gray-Jennings, a student at Bowling Green High School whose parents are Judith Gray and Brian Jennings; Alec Minnicks, a student at Warren Central High School whose parents are Janice and Chris Minnicks; Aaron Tagliaboschi, a student at Bowling Green High School whose parents are Jennifer and Louis Tagliaboschi.
For more information, contact Corey Alderdice at (270) 745-2971 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting(270) 745-2971end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
Representatives of the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at WKU will conduct a series informational meetings for high school students and their parents as well as interested community members across the state this fall.
Students may RSVP to attend the sessions online at http://gattonacademy.eventbrite.com.
The Gatton Academy is a residential program for 120 high school juniors and seniors from Kentucky who have demonstrated talent and interest in pursuing advanced careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. To date, the Gatton Academy has admitted students from 95 counties across the Commonwealth.
Students apply during their sophomore year through a competitive admissions process.
Instead of spending their junior and senior years in traditional high schools, students take courses offered by WKU. At the end of two years, students graduate high school in addition to having earned at least 60 college credit hours. Housing, tuition, and meals are provided at no cost to ensure this opportunity is available to all qualifying students.
The goal of the Gatton Academy is to enable Kentucky’s exceptional young scientists and mathematicians to learn in an environment which offers advanced educational opportunities, preparing them for leadership roles in Kentucky.
For more information, contact Corey Alderdice at (270) 745-6565.
Highland Heights/Northern Kentucky (RSVP Online to Attend)
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
6:30 p.m. (EST)
Student Union, Room 104
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY 41099 Campus Map and Driving Directions (external link)
Hopkinsville (RSVP Online to Attend)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
6:00 p.m. (CDT)
Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative Community Room
2000 Harrison St.
Hopkinsville, KY 42241
London (RSVP Online to Attend)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
6:00 p.m. (EST)
South Laurel High School Library
201 South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744
Paducah (RSVP Online to Attend)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
6:00 p.m. (CDT)
McCracken County Board of Education
Building 7 Training Room
435 Berger Road
Paducah, KY 42003
Morehead (RSVP Online to Attend)
Thursday, October 21, 2010
6:00 p.m. (EST)
Doran University Center, Room 301
Morehead State University
150 University Blvd.
Morehead, KY 40351 Link to Campus Map (external link)
Ashland (RSVP Online to Attend)
Monday, October 25, 2010
6:30 p.m. (EST)
Teleconference Room, Ashland Community and Technical College
1400 College Dr.
Ashland, KY 41101
Mount Washington/Bullitt County (RSVP Online to Attend)
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
6:30 p.m. (EST)
Bullitt East High School Library
11450 Highway 44 East
Mt. Washington, KY 40047
Somerset (RSVP Online to Attend)
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
6:30 p.m. (EST)
Pulaski County High School Auditorium
511 University Dr.
Somerset, KY 42503
Mayfield (RSVP Online to Attend)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
6:00 p.m. (CDT)
Graves County High School Library
1107 Housman St.
Mayfield, KY 42066
Prestonsburg (RSVP Online to Attend)
Monday, November 1, 2010
6:00 p.m. (EST)
East Kentucky Science Center
Big Sandy Community and Technical College
7 Bert Combs Dr.
Prestonsburg, KY 41653
Hazard (RSVP Online to Attend)
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
6:00 p.m. (EST)
Meeting Room, Guest House Inn 192 Corporate Drive Hazard, KY 41701
Like a good chess match, the admissions game for the Class of 2013 is afoot.
by Corey Alderdice, Assistant Director for Admissions and Public Relations
Activity is picking back up here in Schneider Hall as the full staff returns this morning for the start of a new year. Things are also picking up in the admissions office (read: my office) as well. Every year we seem to get a little faster with our work of admitting the next group of students. Even though the Class of 2012 has yet to arrive on campus, I’m excited to officially announce the availability of the admissions application for the Gatton Academy Class of 2013!
Step-by-step instructions for applying are available via the Admissions page of the Gatton Academy website. The page will walk you through each part of the admissions application and process. For the moment, though, I’d like to call your attention to five updates and changes for the Class of 2013.
1. The deadline for submission of all admissions materials is February 1, 2011.
With an earlier start this year, we have decided to roll the calendar back two weeks for the admissions deadline. The new deadline will provide our admissions committee with the necessary time to devote to each student’s application. Notifications for the interview phase will still be sent by email no later than March 1, 2011.
2. We have revised our policy to allow students with a minimum ACT-Math score of 22 or SAT-Math score of 520 to apply.
The average ACT-Math and Composite scores for incoming students at the Gatton Academy remains 29. Our research shows that 26 is a competitive score that greatly increases the likelihood of a student’s success in the program. However, we have also witnessed students with scores between 22 and 24 be highly successful in the program. The difference is the commitment and work ethic these students possess. Because many students will be in the midst of Algebra II when taking this ACT later this year, we certainly want to account for that with our minimum test score.
3. Essay question four is brand new.
I’m most excited about this change. The University of Chicago is famous for the questions on their “Uncommon App.” What’s great about their questions is that it provides students with an opportunity to be creative, think outside the box, and write on something beyond very traditional admissions questions. We think question four provides a variety of opportunities for exploration while allowing the admissions comittee to see students’ thought processes in a very different way. Check out the question below.
The Center for Disease Control has reported a zombie outbreak with a confirmed Patient Zero in the city of Bowling Green, Kentucky. From the position of Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, base commander at Fort Knox, or Chief of Medicine at the Bowling Green Medical Center, develop an immediate action plan to deal with the outbreak.
4. We’ve added an optional “Video Essay” to the application.
Maturity, personality, and individuality are traits that are common among all Gatton Academy students. Grades, essays, and letters of recommendation do not always demonstrate the level of creativity, ingenuity, and talent among our student body. In order to better appreciate applicants as individuals, candidates are invited to submit a video of no more than two minutes in length for the Admissions Committee to review. Videos may be either edited or unedited. For students who do not have access to the technology to do this, we will have stations set up on Interview Day. We hope that you’ll really wow us with your entries.
5. Students now must submit a minimum of two and no more than four letters of recommendation.
Over the last few years, we’ve realized the most fruitful information comes from the letters of recommendation from your math or science teacher as well the counselor, principal, or community leader. Acquiring these letters of recommendation can often be a challenge for sophomores as they have yet to establish a connection a rapport with a variety of teachers. With that in mind, students only must submit the two required letters, though you have the opportunity to provide us with up to two more letters from the persons of your choice.
Excited? We sure are!
Don’t forget to RSVP to attend a Preview Weekend this fall on campus. Preview Weekends are great opportunity to get to know the students, parents, and staff who truly make the Gatton Academy an “Atypical High School.” We’ll also conduct a series of Information Sessions throughout the state later this fall. We’ll share more details as those dates become available.
Until then, feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about the admissions process or the Gatton Academy!
Geographic distribution for students applying to the Gatton Academy Class of 2012.
The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at Western Kentucky University has selected 61 students for its Class of 2012.
The students in this year’s class span 38 counties from across the Commonwealth. This gifted group of high school sophomores brings with them to the Gatton Academy an average ACT score almost 10 points higher than the statewide average for graduating seniors.
Last fall, 275 students began the admissions process with 125 students qualifying for review. Students were reviewed based on ACT/SAT scores, high school grades, awards, extracurricular activities, responses to essay questions, and letters of recommendation. Earlier this month, 85 candidates were invited for interviews with Academy staff members and representatives from across Kentucky. In the end, 61 dynamic applicants emerged from the review process.
When faced with the talented pool of applicants, Tim Gott, the Academy’s director, knew the program needed to find a way to meet the needs of a greater number of students. Consulting with Academy staff members, a decision was made to expand the student body to 128 students beginning in fall 2010, an increase of nearly 7 percent.
Gott expects these students to continue the level of academic and personal engagement Academy students have demonstrated over the last three years.
“As we begin planning for our fourth year at the Gatton Academy, I am amazed and honored to work with such outstanding students,” Gott said. “The incoming Class of 2012 once again demonstrates the incredible caliber of students from across the Commonwealth. The depth of academic strength and emerging leadership among this group reveals that the state is making a major contribution toward meeting the demand for more professionals in the STEM fields.”
The selected students scored an average composite of 29.2 on the ACT and 29.5 on the math portion of the exam. The highest possible score is 36. The 2009 state average ACT score for graduating Kentucky high school seniors was a composite of 19.4.
“The members of the Gatton Academy’s Class of 2012 have demonstrated they are ready for a greater academic challenge,” said Corey Alderdice, the Academy assistant director for admissions and public relations. “They will bring to WKU a variety of passions and abilities. Our goal will be to sharpen those skills as they grow and mature both academically and socially. Their experiences will be the flagstone in their pursuit to lead Kentucky in the 21st century.”
The incoming class includes students from the following counties: Boone, Bourbon, Boyd, Boyle, Breathitt, Bullitt, Calloway, Campbell, Carroll, Carter, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, Graves, Hancock, Hardin, Henderson, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Larue, Laurel, Logan, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Nelson, Oldham, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Simpson, Todd, Warren, Wayne and Whitley.
Students from eight new counties were admitted to the Gatton Academy this year.
This year, eight counties had students admitted to the Gatton Academy for the first time: Breathitt, Carroll, Clay, Clinton, Montgomery, Rockcastle, Russell and Todd.
To date, the Gatton Academy has admitted students from 95 of Kentucky’s 120 counties.
The goals of the Gatton Academy are to enable Kentucky’s exceptional young scientists and mathematicians to learn in an environment which offers advanced educational opportunities, preparing them for leadership roles in Kentucky. Moreover, the Gatton Academy assists in preparing Kentucky to compete in a knowledge-based economy by increasing the number of scientists and engineers who live and work in the state.
Students will finish their junior and senior years of high school living in Schneider Hall and taking courses offered by WKU. At the end of their two-year course of study, they will graduate from high school and have earned at least 60 college credit hours.
The Academy provides a rich living/learning environment designed specifically for academically talented adolescent students that features clubs, organizations and community service. Additionally students are able to participate in advanced research with WKU faculty members. Research conducted during students’ time at the Gatton Academy has been honored in the nationally competitive Siemens Competition, Intel Science Talent Search, Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program, and the Department of Defense Science, Math, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship Program.
The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s only state-supported, residential program for high school students with interests in advanced science and math careers and one of sixteen such programs in the nation. In 2009, Newsweek magazine honored the Academy as one of 16 “Public Elite” American high schools.
More information about the Gatton Academy is available online at http://www.wku.edu/academy/.
Students selected for the Gatton Academy Class of 2012
From Boone County:John Ferguson, a student at Cooper High School whose parents are Martha Ferguson and Philip Ferguson; Samantha Hawtrey, a student at Ryle High School whose parents are Claire Hawtrey and Thomas Hawtrey; Lori Lovell, a student at Boone County High School whose parents are Sarah Lovell and Joseph Lovell; and Daniel Dilger, a student at Ryle High School whose parents are Tonya Dilger and Johannes Dilger.
From Bourbon County: Brandon Farmer, a student at Bourbon County High School whose parents are Lisa Farmer and Charles Farmer.
From Boyd County: Curtlyn Kramer, a student at Paul G. Blazer High School whose parents are Betty Rice-Kramer and Curtis Kramer; and Jessica Farrell, a student at Boyd County High School whose parents are Annette Farrell and David Farrell.
From Boyle County: Lukas Missik, a student at Boyle County High School whose parents are Christine Missik and John Missik.
From Breathitt County: Hunter Noble, a student at Breathitt County High School whose parents are Cindy Noble and Gregory Noble.
From Bullitt County: Layne Webb, a student at Bullitt East High School whose parents are Judith Webb and Kevin Webb; Alex Gutierrez, a student at Bullitt East High School whose parents are Bobbi Gutierrez and Leroy Gutierrez; and Anthony Gutierrez, a student at Bullitt East High School whose parents are Bobbi Gutierrez and Leroy Gutierrez.
From Calloway County: Hannah Miller, a student at Murray High School whose parents are Diane Miller and Jeff Miller; and Hannalore Clause, a student at Calloway County High School whose parents are Joyce Clause and Robert Clause.
From Campbell County: Lydia Clark, a student at Campbell County High School whose parents are Dawn Clark and Troy Clark.
From Carroll County: Luke Yap, a student at Carroll County High School whose parents are Tracey Yap and Winston Yap.
From Carter County: Jaymi Porter, a student at West Carter High School whose parent is Jay Porter.
From Christian County: Breck Turner, a student at Hopkinsville High School whose parents are Wendy Turner and William Turner; and Amelia Winters, a student at Christian County High School whose parents are Patrice Johnson-Winters and Tommy Winters.
From Clay County: Caroline Stivers, a student at Clay County High School whose parents are Nancy Stivers and Robert Stivers.
From Clinton County: Ellis Shelley; a student at Clinton County High School whose parent is Charlotte Shelley Bernard.
From Daviess County: William Bickett, a student at Owensboro Catholic High School whose parents are Karen Bickett and Gary Bickett; Leah Wilson, a student at Daviess County High School whose parents are Jean Wilson and Jeff Wilson; and Gabrielle Canant, a student at Daviess County High School whose parents are Paula Canant and Kenneth Canant.
From Graves County: Andrea Eastes, a student at Paducah-Tilghman High School whose parents are Chrissy Eastes and Jeff Eastes; and Daylynn Allison, a student from Graves County High School whose parents are Carrie Burnett and Douglas Allison.
From Hancock County: Jon Warren, a student at Hancock County High School whose parent is DiAnn Warren.
From Hardin County: Matthew Mattingly, a student from Elizabethtown High School whose parents are Jennifer Mattingly and James Mattingly; Samantha McKean, a student at Central Hardin High School whose parents are Julie McKean and John McKean; Landon Wilcox, a student from Elizabethtown High School whose parents are Angela Wilcox and Dale Wilcox; and Cameron Kispert, a student from John Hardin High School whose parents are Jeanine and Kenneth Kispert.
From Henderson County: Christian Jolly, a student from Henderson County High School whose parents are Michelle Jolly and Scott Jolly.
From Henry County: Rachel Metcalfe, a student from Eminence High School whose parents are Tina Stambaugh and Steve Metcalfe.
From Jefferson County: Taylor Leet, a student from Louisville Male High School whose parents are Tila Leet and Allen Leet.
From Jessamine County: Jesse Matherly, a student from West Jessamine High School whose parents are Cindy Matherly and Steve Matherly.
From Kenton County: Logan Eckler, a student from Ludlow High School whose parent is Donna Eckler.
From Larue County: Mary Greenwell, a student from Central Hardin High School whose parents are Neda Greenwell and Paul Greenwell.
From Laurel County: Alexandra DeCarlo, a student from South Laurel High School whose parents are Karen DeCarlo and Anthony DeCarlo.
From Logan County: Victoria Allen, a student from Logan County High School whose parent is Jennifer Allen.
From Madison County: Laura Claytor, a student from Berea Community High School whose parents are Kim Claytor and Joe Claytor.
From Mercer County: Tennesse Joyce, a student from Mercer County High School whose parents are Chantal Joyce and Tim Joyce.
From Montgomery County: Nicholas Zolman, a student from Montgomery County High School whose parents are Katherine Zolman and Mitchell Zolman.
From Nelson County: Rebecca Brown, a student at Nelson County High School whose parents are Susan Brown and Brian Brown; Charlotte Humes, a student at Nelson County High School whose parents are Suzanne Coombs and Louis Humes; and Barbara Still, a student at Nelson County High School whose parent is Arneida Harrise.
From Oldham County: Paul Fleischmann, a student at South Oldham High School whose parents are Maria Fleischmann and Randall Fleischmann.
From Pulaski County: Benjamin Rice, a student at Somerset Christian School whose parents are Jessie Rice and Richard Rice; Melanie Hurst, a student at Southwestern High School whose parents are Treba Hurst and David Hurst; and Aaron Stolze, a student Southwestern High School whose parents are Lisa Stolze and Jason Stolze.
From Rockcastle County: Caroline Green, a student at Rockcastle County High School whose parent is Christie Green.
From Russell County: William Brown, a student at Russell County High School whose parents are Karen Brown and James Brown.
From Simpson County: David Sekora, a student at Franklin-Simpson High School whose parents are Marschelle Sekora and Peter Sekora; and Joseph Tutor, a student at Franklin-Simpson High School whose parents are Tiffany Wilson and Scott Wilson.
From Todd County: Annie Wheeler, a student at Todd County Central High School whose parents are Makka Wheeler and Gerald Wheeler, III.
From Warren County: Michael Crocker, a student at Bowling Green High School whose parents are Patricia Crocker and Scott Crocker; Austin Taing, a student at Greenwood High School whose parent is Yong Taing; Markus Ernst, a student at Bowling Green High School whose parents are Uta Ziegler and Claus Ernst; Jordan Currie, a student at Warren Central High School whose parents are Tamara O’Nan and Christopher Currie; and Holly Morris, a student at Bowling Green High School whose parents are Cindy Morris and Tim Morris.
From Wayne County: Victoria Pulsifer, a student at Monticello High School whose parent is Kathleen Martin.
From Whitley County: Emily Croley, a student at Williamsburg High School whose parent is Debra Croley.
After seven months of information, reflection, and review, we’re excited to send out admissions notifications to the Gatton Academy’s Class of 2012. The students invited to join the Class of 2012 consist of 61 male and 61 female students. These individuals represent 38 counties across the Commonwealth. We’re particularly excited to share the inclusion of 8 new counties with the Class of 2012. To date, the Gatton Academy has served the needs of students from 95 of Kentucky’s 120 counties.
You’ll see Corey show the map in the video. This represents the initial offers of admission. The map, which is featured below, may change based on any declinations of our offers of admission.
The geographic distribution for the Gatton Academy's Class of 2012.
Interview Day is one of the coolest days of the year at the Gatton Academy. It’s the time when the past, present, and the future come together in a really special event. What makes the day so great is that our current students take such an interest in their incoming classmates that they spend an entire Saturday getting to know our prospective candidates. In our latest video blog, three students are glad the day is here. They’re even more glad that they’re not the ones who are being interviewed. Well, interviewed for admissions, at least.
With the February 15 application deadline passed and the March 20 Interview Day looming, the Gatton Academy’s Class of 2012 is quickly beginning to take shape.
275 students began the admissions process this cycle seeking admission for the Class of 2012. In all, 125 applicants completed met all requirements at the deadline to receive consideration for selection.
Corey Alderdice, assistant director for admissions and public relations, explained that even though the pool of applicants was smaller this year, there was a substantial increase in the quality of those students completing applications.
“We have high expectations for Gatton Academy students,” Alderdice said. “Based on our experience over the last few years, we made the decision to raise the minimum ACT math score from 22 to 24. For high school sophomores, that can be a big leap. That decision was not to limit our pool but to ensure those students who applied have the tools necessary to be successful as Academy students.”
Applicants seeking interviews were reviewed based on ACT or SAT scores, responses to essay questions, grades from ninth and tenth grade, and a resume of awards and activities. 85 dynamic candidates emerged from the pool of applicants.
Students proceeding to the second phase of admission will attend Interview Weekend on Saturday, March 20, 2010. The day will include interviews, a chemistry placement exam, course scheduling, a discussion of research opportunities, and sessions for parents.
“Interview Weekend is the final opportunity for a student to convince our admissions team that the Academy is the place they should spend their final two years of high school,” Alderdice said. “It can be stressful, but if students are passionate about STEM subjects, then the interview is simply talking about the things they love the most.”
Applicants will receive final notifications regarding selection no later than April 1, 2010.
For more information, contact Corey Alderdice at (270) 745-2971.
