Selection and Graduation Requirements

Approximately 5% of cadets in each class will enter the MHP in their fourth-class year after a mutual selection process involving an invitation and application. Over 90% of the students who enter the program also graduate from MHP.

Graduate Scholar, Alicia Alexander ’21, speaking at the 2021 Scholars Awards Ceremony.

The top academically-qualified cadets of each new class of four degrees are identified shortly after their first progress reports in the fall and invited to an information briefing. The Scholars Advisory Council members assist the program Director in reviewing and scoring the application packages of interested cadets. Selection is based upon a number of factors including high level of academic achievement in all areas, an appreciation of learning across disciplinary divisions, evidence of intellectual curiosity, and an enthusiasm for engaged learning.

• A second, small pool of applications may be considered from rising third-degree cadets after completing their fourth-degree year. Those accepted after their fourth-degree year, unless given special exception by the Director, must complete all program requirements, including the Scholars capstone course.
• Cadets who wish to take Academy Scholars courses, but who are not formally in the program, may do so on a space available basis with the approval of the Department Head and Scholars faculty member in charge of the course and the Academy Scholars Program

Unless special exception is made by the program Director and the Academy Board, in order to graduate from the program, Scholars must complete at least nine Scholars-designated offerings of core courses as well as the Scholars capstone course and must graduate with a minimum 3.5 GPA. Cadet responsibilities include active participation as a member of the Scholars community, as well as timely completion of assigned tasks such as mandatory assessment activities. Periodic reviews of cadet performance, such as quantitative and qualitative Scholars’ performance in and out of the classroom will determine cadet suitability for continuation in the program. Cadets participating in the program who fail to maintain a GPA of at least 3.5 or make satisfactory progress toward program completion may be removed from the program at the Director’s discretion.

Additionally, any form of probation (honor, conduct, aptitude, athletic, or academic) may restrict Scholars from participation in Scholars courses, withdrawing the benefit of the complementary opportunities within and outside the Academy, and may result in removal from the program.