In late March, Wallin Education Partners announced its 2011 Wallin Education Partners (WEP) scholarship award winners.  This year, 512 high schools seniors from public schools in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Anoka-Hennepin and partnering North Metro high schools applied for the scholarship.  From this pool, 124 students were awarded the up to $4,000 per year ($16,000 for four years) award.  In addition to the scholarship, each of these students will be assigned a WEP professional advisor to support them throughout their college years. 

As part of our rigorous selection process, we carefully reviewed 163 completed applications from Saint Paul, 137 from Minneapolis, 132 from Anoka-Hennepin, and 77 from the North Metro high schools.  Of these:

• 62% of the applicants were female and 38% male.
• 52% were students of color.
• 64% were first generation college students.
• The average GPA was 3.54, the average ACT score was 23.9.

From this strong pool, we selected 124 scholars – 30 from St. Paul, 41 from Minneapolis, 36 from Anoka-Hennepin, and 17 from northern suburbs.  We were able to meet or exceed our “40%” guidelines selecting 40% males, 41% students of color and 52% first generation students. 

For the selected scholars, the average GPA exceeded 3.8 and the average ACT was nearly 28.  To provide some context, an ACT score of 28 is in the ninety-first percentile nationwide. 

All selected applicants were from families with financial need and were chosen based on academic achievement in challenging college preparatory coursework, demonstrated leadership and a commitment to service to others. 

We will be celebrating our 2011 Scholars with a series for receptions in May.

Wallin Education Partners is pleased to announce its 2011 Scholars. Wallin Education Partners is pleased to announce its 2011 Scholars.