Cuthbertson High School Senior Caroline Hensley of Waxhaw Selected for Clemson University's National Scholars Program

2013 May 9

Cuthbertson High School senior Caroline Hensley of Waxhaw has been invited to join the Clemson University National Scholars Program, which includes a four-year merit scholarship and educational enrichment opportunities.

Hensley is among 10 students who comprise the 2013 cohort of National Scholars at Clemson. There were thirty-one finalists this year out of more than 900 applicants to Clemson's Calhoun Honors College and more than 15,000 applicants to Clemson.

At the Feb. 22-24 National Scholars Program Weekend, Hensley participated in a series of selection activities, including individual and small group interviews, a group decision-making exercise and a writing exercise. After the weekend, the finalists were invited to join the 14th cohort of National Scholars.

Hensley plans to major in Preprofessional Health at Clemson.

Hensley balances a diverse array of leadership, service and athletics, all while maintaining a remarkable academic record. She served as class president ninth through eleventh grades before being elected Student Body President her senior year. For the last two years, she has been captain of her school's tennis team, leading it to championship titles each year. Hensley is also editor in chief of the school yearbook, and serves as a co-chair of Playing for Others, a non-profit community service group. She was selected to attend the Governor's School of North Carolina and participated in an immersive study of English.

"Every year when we enroll the newest group of scholars, we think that they cannot be topped in terms of their intellectual ability, academic accomplishments and community service and leadership," said Jamie Williams, director of the National Scholars Program. "And every year, the next group of scholars proves us wrong."

Beyond the remarkable academic records they present – with an average SAT of 1510 and high school class rank in the top 1 percent - these scholars are a diverse and talented group of researchers, writers, artists, actors, musicians, athletes and community servants, Williams said.

Each of the students declined at least one full tuition-and-fees scholarship to another institution. All were accepted to at least one top-10 public or private institution. In total, they had 28 acceptances to top 20 public or private institutions.

In addition to receiving Clemson's largest academic scholarship package, National Scholars participate in a range of intellectual and professional development experiences, including specialized seminars, study travel and dedicated mentoring.

"The reward in working with these students is that we get to support them in setting and achieving their intellectual, personal and professional goals, both at Clemson and beyond," said Williams. "Given that our soon-to-graduate seniors were accepted to top graduate programs in their fields, it's safe to say that Clemson is doing a remarkable job in preparing them for continued success."

Founded in 2000, the National Scholars Program has enrolled more than 120 students who have emerged as campus leaders at Clemson, serving as presidents of the student body and members of organizations including Engineers without Borders, Habitat for Humanity and fraternities and sororities, to name only a few.

Nine National Scholars have been named Goldwater Scholars, the top award for undergraduates in science and engineering; four have been awarded the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship; and two have been named Fulbright Scholars. After graduation, National Scholars have enrolled at top graduate, medical and law schools around the world (including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford and Cambridge) and have taken jobs at Fortune 500 companies, including BMW and General Electric.