A 10 percent solution

New program recruits city's ‘best and brightest'

Top-ranking graduates of Baltimore City public high schools all too often bypass TU when making plans for college. But a recently launched pilot program hopes to put this campus back on their proverbial radar screens.

Beginning this spring, TU's Top 10% Scholars Program will offer a number of incentives to snag these students' attention—and, it's hoped, their applications.

The pilot program focuses on students graduating in the top 10 percent of their spring 2005 senior classes at Baltimore's public high schools.

“We're focusing on the top graduates from college preparatory programs,” says Lonnie McNew, associate vice president for Enrollment Services and co-chair of the committee that developed the program. “Our stated enrollment goals include improving diversity and enrolling more students with very strong high school GPAs, " he said. "We want these students to consider TU, and we hope this program will make that decision easier for them."

McNew points out that out of TU's fall 2004 freshman class of about 2,100, a mere 25 are graduates of Baltimore City public high schools. “That's unacceptably low,” he says.

“We feel we have an obligation to reach out to these students—working closely with Baltimore City is an important part of our Metropolitan University mission.”

The Top 10% Scholars Program will offer the targeted group automatic admission, as well as a $4,000 annual scholarship. In addition, many of the students may qualifiy for additional scholarships and need-based financial aid. “These are not loans,” McNew emphasizes. Those who maintain acceptable grades may continue to renew the package for up to four years, he adds.

The university also will make an extra effort to ensure the students receive the academic and social support services they may need to thrive at TU. “We're committed to providing excellent follow-up,” McNew says. “We want to make sure they're actively involved in the campus community.”

McNew says the university hopes to enroll 40 to 50 Top 10% Scholars for fall 2005, with the number eventually rising to 100 or more each year. 

And while TU's official announcement—in the form of a letter to high school principals—won't be mailed for another few days, he says news about the Top 10% Scholars Program has begun circulating in city public schools.

“There's a lot of excitement,” he says. “We've already had many inquiries.”

Story by Jan Lucas/Photo by Sofia Silva

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