Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a good fit for Oliver Scholars?
Ideal candidates excel academically, are involved in a range of extracurricular activities, understand the value of community service, and are eager to be leaders.
Do you help with the independent school application process?
Yes! We provide one-on-one counseling for families during the placement process, and also host regular workshops to educate families on financial aid and independent school life. Equally important are the strong ties we cultivate with almost 80 partner schools, working closely with them to open the doors to opportunity for our scholars.
How do I apply to Oliver Scholars?
Parents, teachers, and counselors may nominate candidates who meet the eligibility requirements during the fall of seventh grade. Motivated students may also nominate themselves.Oliver is currently accepting nominations for the 2019-2020 admissions cycle, and the deadline has been extended through January 10, 2020. Students must be nominated before they receive an invitation to apply for admission.
How much does it cost to be an Oliver Scholar?
Oliver Scholars is a free program. We rely on contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund all of our programming.
What is the time commitment to be an Oliver Scholar?
Oliver Scholars are required to participate in our 14-month Scholar Immersion and Placement (SIP) program. SIP develops the academic, social, and leadership skills each Scholar needs to thrive in an independent school environment.
Our Scholar Immersion Program consists of a five-week summer program (SIP I) between seventh and eighth grades, including one week at a boarding school, weekly classes during eighth grade, and a second five-week summer program (Summer Program II), including one week at a boarding school, between eighth and ninth grades.
SIPI is an intensive five-week preparatory course specifically designed to develop the academic and social skills of rising eighth-graders.
During eighth grade, students take weekend classes and attend leadership events. Students are guided through the independent-school application and interview process and are prepared to excel academically and socially in an independent school environment.
Rising ninth graders participate in (SIP 2) a second five-week summer program. The program emphasizes strong academic, social, and leadership skills that together help ensure a successful transition to life at an independent school.
Oliver Scholars must complete the entire SIP program. Successful completion of the program requires good attendance, strong academic standing, proven motivation, a strong desire to learn, as well as a positive attitude.
Who funds Oliver Scholars? How can I support the organization?
Oliver Scholars relies on contributions from private individuals, foundation, and corporations to provide wraparound educational access services to high-achieving Black and Latino students. The organization does not receive any public funding. You may make a donation today through our Donate page. If you know of any individuals, corporations, or foundations that may be interest in supporting the mission of Oliver Scholars and/or you would like to learn more about all of the organization’s philanthropic initiatives, please contact Gabrielle Gilliam, Oliver's Director of Development: ggilliam@oliverscholars.org.