39 talented Ukrainian students will start studying at prestigious US universities and schools this year

In the United States, the entry process 2020 has ended. Pupils have received answers regarding enrollment in the desired schools and colleges. 15 Ukrainian schoolchildren will become students of leading US universities in the fall. Another 11 talented Ukrainian students entered American boarding schools. And three received a prestigious Davis Scholarship scholarship, which in the future will partially cover their college expenses.

All these students are finalists of last year’s selection of Ukrainian Global Scholars, a charitable organization whose goal is to help talented Ukrainian join leading world schools and universities.

Since 2015, Ukrainian Global Scholars annually holds a Ukrainian competition in the spring, at which it selects the most talented students, to then help them enter the desired educational institution. In total, from the cohort that Ukrainian Global Scholars selected in the spring of 2019 (42 finalists), this year 26 another 13 finalists and finalists of the competition entered the American schools and universities, which were selected in 2016, 2017 and 2018 This year they graduate from American boarding schools and continue their studies at the best colleges in the USA.

Yulia Lemesh, president of Ukrainian Global Scholars in the USA, says: the current winners have entered private boarding schools in which US presidents, actors and inventors studied. “For example, Deerfield, Woodberry Forest, Phillips Academy Andover, Lawrenceville, Ethel Walker, Masters, Northfield Mount Hermon. Among the colleges are Stanford, Dartmouth, Princeton, MIT, UPenn, Smith, Tufts, Northwestern Qata. It is very difficult to get there, and even more difficult to get the full scholarships that our students received. It’s about a few full scholarships for thousands of students from all over the world”, – she adds.

Starting in 2015, Ukrainian Global Scholars helped 80 talented Ukrainian students to enter American prestigious universities or schools. Since the start of the project, students submitted more than two thousand applications to the Ukrainian competition. 40% of applicants are residents of small towns and villages.

Each year, the organization and its founders and volunteers become real mentors for the finalists of Ukrainian selection. They help them pay and prepare for special entrance tests (TOEFL and SAT), correctly fill out and submit documents. They find families in the United States, where they live during the holidays, as well as internships with leading Ukrainian companies in the summer. Support their social projects.

In monetary terms, since the founding of Ukrainian Global Scholars, the organization has helped to receive more than $ 20 million in scholarships for training, accommodation and meals for talented Ukrainian.

Now Ukrainian Global Scholars is selecting a new cohort of finalists in 2020. Applications from schoolchildren are accepted until April 15.

Lemesh encourages children not to be afraid to give in. “Our goal is for as many students as possible to prepare an application. We are looking not only for the winners of the Olympiads. We are very interested in students with a unique history, a desire to learn, take responsibility for their projects, give back to the community and Ukraine. Some of our finalists did not even suspect that they would be able to go through all stages of the selection of Ukrainian Global Scholars. And now, they are studying at the best schools or colleges in the world”, – the president of the organization says.

Applications are expected from students in grades 8-11. Eight-tenth graders submit documents to schools. Graduates – immediately to universities. In order to go, you need to have high knowledge of the English language and high scores for state final certification, to be an outstanding person with interesting hobbies. Another important requirement – the applicant must be from an ordinary family with an average income.

Lemesh says that the global goal of Ukrainian Global Scholars is to educate a new generation of young Ukrainian leaders with a Western education who will be able to take responsibility for managing Ukraine, creating jobs and developing the economy. Indeed, one of the basic requirements of the program is that after studying abroad, talented Ukrainians must return to their homeland and work at home.