GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL OF NEW JERSEY


Governor's School - Frequently Asked Questions...


What is the Governor's School?
The New Jersey Governor's School is a summer residential program for students who completed their junior year in high school. The curriculum emphasizes problem-solving, leadership training, and team interaction.

How many Governor's Schools are there?
There are currently two Governor's Schools, each with a different academic emphasis:

  • The Governor's School in the Sciences at Drew University focuses on such subjects as chemistry, physics, mathematics, quantum mechanics, combinatorics, and molecular orbital theory.
  • The Governor's School of Engineering and Technology on the Busch Campus of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Who is eligible to apply for the Governor's School?
All applicants must be in their junior year of high school and a resident of New Jersey.

Who teaches at the Governor's School?
Faculty members include college professors and high school teachers who have taught in the perspective academic areas and professionals from business and industry who are conducting research or performing in the various fields.

Will grades or credit be given at the Governor's School?
A unique aspect of the program includes no grades or academic credit. This allows the scholars additional latitude to discover and create. Participants will be expected to show a high level of motivation and achievement both in individual and team settings.

What is a typical day at the Governor's School?
Although each school schedule is varied, the mornings consist of formal college level courses, the afternoon activities include research, integrated subjects, community service, field trips, career orientation, etc. The evenings consist of speakers, panel discussions, seminars, performances, rehearsals, and research.

What will be expected of me as a Governor's School Scholar?
Each scholar is required to actively participate in all scheduled classes, discussion groups, labs and evening activities. In addition, you'll be required to complete assignments, which may include journals, readings, research, team projects, class presentations, community service, etc.

Must students attend the entire program?
Yes. If a student accepts the invitation to attend the Governor's School, he/she must make the full commitment.

May students go home on weekends?
No. Because of the intensity of the program, students continue to participate in activities related to their course of study throughout weekends. However, parents can visit on Sundays and scholars are allowed to leave the campus with their parents.

Will scholars be supervised during the program?
Scholars will be supervised throughout the session. Supervision of the scholars is provided by a resident hall director and resident counselors who live on the same floors as the scholars.

What is the application process?
Each Governor's School has a different application and a student can only apply to one Governor's School. A student is nominated by the guidance counselor in the high school. An interested student should speak with the guidance counselor in September of his/her junior year to express an interest in applying to the program. The program is open to all public, private, and parochial schools in New Jersey and out-of-state schools as long as the student is a New Jersey resident. Additionally, the program is open to home-schooled who live in New Jersey.

What are the criteria used in the selection process?
The student must complete the application that is available on this website. The criteria include school transcripts, letters of recommendation, written essays, extracurricular activities, community service, honors, and PSAT scores, if available.

What is the cost of the program?
The summer session is a full scholarship program that includes tuition, room and board. The only cost to the scholar will be for items of a personal or recreational nature and transportation at the beginning and end of the program.


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Governor's School of New Jersey
c/o Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, PO Box 542, Trenton, NJ 08625-0542| 609-984-2684
Last updated: December 6, 2012