Frequently Asked Questions

Counselors and Teachers FAQ

 

How are Flinn Scholars chosen?

Competition is more rigorous for the Flinn Scholarship than for even the most-selective colleges and universities; each autumn we receive approximately 500 applications and each spring we award 20 scholarships.

Flinn Scholars come from every corner of Arizona, and upon arrival at the university, they choose concentrations in virtually every discipline. There is no blueprint for a Flinn Scholar.

Merit, demonstrated by academic and personal achievement, is the only factor in selection; financial need is not a consideration.

Our reviewers, panels of experienced educators and Flinn Scholar alumni, examine applicants’ academic achievement, leadership and involvement, service to the community, ability to communicate, and personal qualities. Each of these factors is an important part of the holistic picture that an applicant presents to us. A list of baseline criteria is posted on our What it Takes  page.

From all applicants, reviewers select a group of semifinalists for a preliminary interview at a regional site. Following this interview, 40-50 applicants are named finalists and invited to the Flinn Foundation offices for a personal interview with the Selection Committee, comprised of state leaders in various fields. The Selection Committee recommends recipients to the Foundation’s Board of Directors. All finalists are notified of their status in late March.

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What does the Flinn Scholarship provide?

Total value of the Flinn Scholarship—on top of the cash value of tuition offered by each university—exceeds $50,000. But the award’s monetary value is only the beginning. Please see The Deal, as well as this list of Benefits.

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Why should my best students apply for a Flinn Scholarship?

Flinn Scholars have a competitive edge. Over the course of four years, they routinely compile extraordinary records of graduate-level coursework and published research. By graduation day, they have become globally-traveled leaders wielding influence in the state, nation, and world. They convey a serious sense of purpose and goals.

Every year, Scholars win prestigious fellowships such as the Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, Gates, Goldwater, Truman, and Udall, and alumni regularly attend the nation’s top graduate schools, often with full scholarships.

Our alumni discover that the very same universities that courted them as high-school students value them even more highly with the set of relationships and international experiences they have developed as Flinn Scholars.

Many Scholars say the most important aspect of the program is joining a community of similarly motivated students of diverse interests. They form long-lasting friendships within an unparalleled network of talented future leaders in every field you can imagine.

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What can I do to help my students become Flinn Scholars?

Please see our Strategies for Success for counselors and teachers.

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How do I submit recommendations for my students?

During the online application process, your students will provide Embark, the company that hosts our online application process, with your email address. Embark will then email you instructions on how to submit your letters online. If you know you have students applying for the Flinn Scholarship, be on the lookout for email correspondence from Embark. Once submitted, your recommendations are confidential during and after our selection process.

In addition, guidance counselors must mail a copy of applicants’ transcripts, including information on course work, class rank, grade-point average, and scores on standardized tests. It is your responsibility to ensure that all application components are submitted and received by the Flinn Foundation by the deadline, typically in mid-October. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed.

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What feedback on the application or interview can my student expect?

We do not provide information regarding an individual’s performance to applicants, their families, or their teachers/counselors, during or after our selection process. All materials applicants submit, and all material generated during the review process (i.e., readers' and interviewers' notes) remain confidential, as do students' teacher and counselor recommendations.

Throughout the year, and throughout the state, we conduct information sessions for educators, students, and families. We confer with counselors to suggest how students can maximize their educational opportunities during their high school careers and thereby become viable candidates for a wide range of competitive programs and awards. And we offer in-service conferences for teachers and counselors to help them better support their students through our process

You may send questions about the application process application@flinn.org.

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