Scholars Program

Triton's Scholars Program is a two-year program for academically talented in-district students who plan to earn an associate of arts or sciences degree and transfer to competitive four-year colleges and universities. The program provides an opportunity for talented students to complete their first two years of university level courses while residing at home.

The program offers an extraordinary opportunity for superior students. It's an academically rigorous two-year curriculum program. The Scholars Program has a carefully selected faculty highly motivated to work with specially talented students. Course study is complemented by regular guest lecturers from the academic, cultural and professional communities. Students admitted to the program can anticipate a demanding course of study leading to an associate's degree and excellent opportunities to transfer to competitive four-year colleges and universities.

The Scholars Program features:

  • Carefully selected faculty
  • Small classes devoted to intensive reading, discussion and research skills
  • An emphasis on language, analytic and critical thinking skills in an intellectually demanding atmosphere
  • Careful transfer placement counseling with transfer assistance to baccalaureate-granting institutions and scholarship applications
  • Full academic scholarships for qualified students
  • Waiver of in-district tuition
  • Participation in special activities, such as museum visits, guest lectures, Scholars Open House, graduates reception, theater evening and other activities
  • Special recognition on transcripts and diplomas
I can confidently say that The Scholars Program MORE THAN prepared me for my experiences here at Georgetown University. Not only do I feel more mature and focused than many of my peers, but The Scholars Program definitely helped me gauge my abilities and time management, and it has befitted me in every aspect of school.
Maddy Norton
Class of 2022

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Eligibility

Entering first-year students must meet the following criteria:

  • SAT or ACT scores above the college minimum for English and Math
  • An accumulated minimum G.P.A. of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent
  • Faculty and counselor recommendations
  • Additional indicators of academic potential

While the program is designed for students entering from high school, current Triton College students are sometimes accepted, but must meet these criteria: 

  • 15 minimum college-level credits
  • 30 maximum college-level credits are allowed. However, students with more than one semester completed are rarely able to match required program courses with their academic plans
  • A minimum 3.5 G.P.A. 

Current students must have placed at college level English upon entrance to Triton, and have no more than one 'W' (withdraw) grade.

This is an academically rigorous program that welcomes highly motivated students who are looking for a course of study leading to an associate degree and excellent opportunities to transfer to competitive four-year colleges and universities.

Students must be in preparation for an AA or AS (not AAS or certificate) degree.

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Application

The application process is managed by each of the public high schools in the Triton district. Private high school students residing in the district also may obtain applications from their counselors or contact Triton College directly.

For more information and a printed application form, please contact your high school counselor or Michael Flaherty or write:

THE SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Triton College
2000 Fifth Ave. River Grove IL 60171
(708) 456-0300, Ext. 3250

Current Triton Students:
To qualify for admission, a Triton student must live in-district, intend to pursue a bachelor of arts and sciences degree at a four-year school and have a 3.5 cumulative G.P.A. with no less than 15 and no more than 32 transferable credits. Transcripts must show a college level efficiency in Math and English.

Online Applications are not available.

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Courses

Scholars Program courses are enriched versions of regular courses, designed to help talented and highly motivated students achieve their maximum potential. A total of 60-64 semester hours of course work is required to complete the Scholars Program. The courses are transferable, meeting the first two years of general education requirements at colleges and universities. The course work emphasizes analytic and critical thinking skills, and language development in an intellectually demanding atmosphere.

Scholars Program classes are characterized by:

  • Smaller class size
  • Seminar format
  • Greater interaction among students and with the professor
  • More in-depth treatment of course content with an emphasis on analysis, synthesis, critical thinking, application and discussion

Course Offerings
Scholars Program students must average 15 credit hours each semester. Previous credit is included in that average, but students must keep their full-time status and must stay on pace to graduate on time. They may have a maximum of only one W on their transcript. Student schedules must include two Scholars courses, plus the one-hour Scholars Seminar course on Wednesday afternoons.

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Transferring

Students are guided to make elective course selections that balance their program of study and meet the requirements of their planned university major. Counseling and advising services for the Scholars Program students are designed to maximize credit transfer.

Scholars Program students have transferred and successfully completed programs at universities listed below.

  • Arizona State University
  • Ohio University
  • American University
  • Purdue University
  • The Art Institute of Chicago
  • Tulane University
  • Auburn University
  • University of California at Los Angeles
  • Boston University
  • University of Chicago
  • Boston College
  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Cornell University
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Illinois Institute of Technology
  • University of Southern California
  • Indiana University
  • Georgetown University
  • Mount Holyoke
  • University of Wisconsin
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Vanderbilt
  • Northwestern University
  • Smith College
  • University of Iowa
  • And others. . .

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Service Learning

In the fall semester of 2002, the Triton College Scholars Program adopted a service-learning initiative, whereby all freshmen Scholars Program students will complete 24 hours per semester of volunteer activities in their communities.

Service-learning partners include agencies in the areas of social service, culture and history, library service, animal care, health service, and literacy service. The program invites any interested not-for-profit agencies within the service district of Triton College to contact the program for information about becoming a service-learning partner.

Purpose and Goals of Service Learning
The service-learning mission is threefold. Service learning provides volunteer opportunities to Triton College Scholars Students who will share their talents, skills, interest and expertise. In addition, service learners will assist nonprofit and health care agencies in recruitment of students for their special activities and/or daily tasks. Lastly, Scholars Program service learners (SSL) will document and report the value and impact of service learning student work to interested parties.

Service Learning Forms

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Contact Information

Dr. Michael Flaherty
Program Director
(708) 456-0300, Ext. 3250
michaelflaherty@lacolumnadecarlos.com

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