Dear Cardinal Scholar Applicant,

We are pleased to invite you to apply for the Cardinal Scholar distinction. This award represents the capstone of your high school career, recognizing students who embody the Robertson High School Graduate Profile: VOLAR (Value Community, Ownership, Learning, Aspiration, and Relationships).

How Cardinal Scholars Are Selected Selection is not based on a single metric, but on a holistic evaluation of your academic rigor, college readiness, and personal character. Applications are scored on a 49-point scale across five distinct categories. To achieve this honor, you must demonstrate proficiency in the fifteen "I Can" statements that define our graduate profile.

Submission Requirements: Your final submission must be a professional portfolio containing the following five components:

1. Portfolio Presentation (3 Points): Your portfolio must include a creative cover page with your name and date, and a Table of Contents that lists every section and piece of evidence. It must be organized with title pages for each section below.

2. College Readiness Testing (2 Points): You must submit documentation of your SAT and/or ACT scores, along with any AP scores or equivalents.

3. Strength of Schedule (12 Points): We evaluate your academic rigor based on credits earned by January 1st of your senior year. Points are awarded for the volume of credits and the number of AP/IB/College classes taken. For example, completing 28+ credits yields the maximum score for this section.

4. The Cardinal Scholar Essay (12 Points): You must write a reflective essay (approx. 1,200 words) organized into five sections corresponding to the VOLAR values. Within each section, you must provide concrete, specific examples demonstrating how you live out the three corresponding "I Can" statements. This essay is evaluated on how thoroughly you substantiate your claims with personal narrative.

5. Graduate Profile Portfolio Evidence (20 Points): For each of the five VOLAR values, you must provide tangible evidence of your mastery. This includes items such as community service logs, letters of support from non-relatives, certificates, resumes, and project portfolios. This evidence serves to corroborate the claims made in your essay.

This portfolio is not merely a theoretical exercise; it is proof of your readiness for purposeful citizenship. We look forward to reviewing your journey and your contributions to our community. Please review the sample portfolio to better visualize these requirements.

Sincerely,

The Cardinal Scholar Selection Committee