I learned so much about myself and the world around me. The intense conversations we had at night and throughout the day forced me to reexamine my beliefs and consider them in a new light, an exhilarating experience. I leave this program with a great desire to learn more about the world. I now feel incredibly excited to attend college and find a place with the same atmosphere.

This program was my life’s greatest learning experience. Never before have I been exposed to the level of intellect and sincerity for learning that I encountered among my peers at the New Jersey Scholars Program. Engaging went well beyond the parameters of the assigned curriculum. The students involved in NJSP this year became not just friends but a family. We each came from different races, cities, religions and cultural philosophies and were able to come together in a remarkable way which I had not anticipated.

Instead of sitting on the couch watching TV during the summer, I put my mind to use and experienced a social and academic endeavor beyond my imagination!

I think the seminars were OUTSTANDING! They gave me the opportunity to express my thoughts in a personal setting.

I enjoyed the people around me. The diversity (racial, demographic, etc.) ensured that each person had something unique and different to offer, but our love for learning brought us together.

This program took me out of my comfort zone . . .

As president of my school’s African-American Cultural Club . . . I’ll be able to implement a program that challenges members to think of Africa as much more than a continent stricken with AIDS and genocide and to develop a true appreciation for all that the continent contains.