Winners of Kelley Scholarship named

John McCarthy will not have the same experience as most other incoming freshmen. He won't have to worry about being accepted to his selected program, meeting new professors or having to find out ways to pay for his collegiate experience. \nAs one of the few recently selected as this year's incoming class of Kelley Scholars, McCarthy has already been admitted into the business school, has been assigned a business professor who will serve as his mentor throughout his college career, met most of his professors and has been awarded full tuition plus additional funds. \nLast March, after a rigorous application process that involved choosing finalists from 250 applicants, 10 incoming freshmen were named this year's Kelley Scholars. These students, directly admitted into the business school, will receive full tuition and fees, a stipend for living expenses and funding that can be used to cover internships and overseas study. \n"Of course the money is the coolest part (of the scholars program)," McCarthy said. "It gives you the freedom to explore more aspects of IU." \nThat is exactly what the Kelley School is hoping for the students. Amanda Denton, an academic advisor and a member of the Kelley Scholars Committee, said these 10 students were chosen because of their strong leadership and personal initiative. \n"These are the students who will seek out all the opportunities they can," she said. \nThe Kelley Scholars Program began in 1997 as a result from a $23 million gift from E.W. Kelley and his family. Alexa Bosley, a 2004 graduate and past Kelley Scholar, said interacting with Kelley was a great opportunity. \n"He was such an admirable and inspiring man whose generosity has had a significantly positive impact on the University itself," Bosley said. \nAlthough Kelley has since passed on, the current winners still get to make connections with the Kelley Family. \nThese meeting occurred during the Kelley Scholars Interview weekend in February. After the 250 students had been narrowed to 25, they traveled to Bloomington for a rigorous weekend of meeting, greeting and interviews. Each applicant had a one-on-one interview with a faculty member, a group interview with several faculty and other applicants and an interview with a current Kelley Scholar. \nMcCarthy, a graduate from Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis, said both the faculty and the Kelly family made everyone feel at ease. \n"It was very relaxed," he said. "They just wanted to see how we interact with each other." \nCarly Anderson, an incoming Kelly Scholar from Carmel High School, said the interview weekend was a great learning experience for her. She was able to have her questions answered about IU and saw a clearer picture of the school. \n"As much as they were interviewing you, you got to interview them," she said. \nBoth Anderson and McCarthy said they were planning to take advantage of the funds provided for overseas study. \n"I had always planned to go abroad, but this makes it a lot easier," Anderson said. \nBosley, an international studies major, said she took every opportunity to study abroad when she was studying at IU.\nAlthough the 10 scholars will have to go above and beyond the requirements for most business students, Bosley described the experience as invaluable. \n"I was consistently held to the highest standards and expectations, and I truly enjoyed stretching my capabilities," he said.