No place like home: Local connections benefit Transylvania students from Lexington
For Lexington high school students, attending Transylvania — a college in their own backyard — is an attractive option.
For Lexington high school students, attending Transylvania — a college in their own backyard — is an attractive option.
Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid each year after it becomes available on Oct. 1 of your senior year of high school is the most important step toward receiving federal aid funds (loans, grants and work-study) and aid directly from Transylvania.
The first in the state to adopt a test-optional admissions policy, Transylvania and its students are already reaping the rewards.
Some local high school programs prepare students so well for a Transylvania education — get them so primed for the liberal arts — that the university guarantees their graduates a substantial scholarship. To be eligible for these awards (along with all merit-based scholarships, except for Premier Scholarships), students planning to enroll with Transylvania University’s Class of 2025 this fall must apply by the Feb. 1 Regular Decision Deadline. These scholarships cover a broad range of programs, from Lexington Catholic’s Exemplar Scholars to Paul Laurence Dunbar’s Math, Science and Technology Center. “The partnerships are there to give these students an opportunity to continue their work at the collegiate level,” Vice President for Admissions Johnnie Johnson said. “We are also trying to keep some of the best students in Lexington — in Lexington.” Current Transylvania students know first hand how well specialized high school programs prepare future Pioneers. Junior Ryan Wood, who participated in Tates Creek High School’s International Baccalaureate Programme, said starting college was seamless. “I felt like I was on track.” The elementary education major said the IB program is rigorous and requires a lot of critical thinking, analysis and time management. When he got to Transylvania, he was “ready to have some conversations,” understanding he wasn’t always going to be right. “Knowing that I can be wrong — that’s part of learning.” Plus, as is evident by the title, Wood pointed out how the IB program’s international flavor relates