Collegiate Directions (CDI) Scholars Program Application

Thank you for your interest in becoming a CDI Scholar!

In order to be eligible for the CDI Scholars Program, every applicant must meet the following requirements:

Minimum 2.6 GPA
Must attend one of the following high schools:

Montgomery Blair High School
Albert Einstein High School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
John F. Kennedy High School
Northwood High School
Paint Branch High School
Springbrook High School
Walter Johnson High School
Wheaton High School

FARMS Eligible
Want to attend a four-year college/university

The online application has several sections. Please complete the information in each section, review your information at the end, and then submit your application.

Keep in mind that:

All fields marked with an asterisk (*) on the application are required.
You will need to submit the required documentation (taxes and transcript).
You must have scripting enabled on your browser in order for the application to function properly.
You must click the 'Finish' button at the end to send your application to our office.
Review your application at the end before you submit it.

You have to finish the application in one sitting. If you leave the form idle for more than 20 minutes, your session will expire, and you will have to start over.

We recommend that you type your essay answers in Google Docs or Microsoft Word or another application and then copy and paste your answers in the application.

If you have any questions or need assistance, send a message to info@collegiatedirections.org.

Before You Begin

Fields with an asterisk (*) must be completed. If the information requested for a field with an asterisk does not apply to you, type NA (meaning “not applicable”) to complete and submit the form.

Please review the following statement and select Yes or No from the dropdown menu.

I am aware that CDI only supports 4-year college access.

Select One Option

Scholar Information

Class Year

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

If you go by a name other than your legal first name and you'd prefer that we call you by that name, enter that name below.

(Example: Your name is William, but you prefer to be called Bill.)

Preferred Name

name@domain.com

Personal Email

Mobile Phone

By providing your mobile phone number in this box, you consent to receive text messages from Collegiate Directions, Inc. (or CDI). Standard messaging and data rates may apply. You can opt-out at any time by replying STOP to any message.

Gender

Pronoun

Residency

Ethnicity

Birthplace (City and/or Country)

First Generation College Student

Original Home Street Address #1

Original Home City

Original Home State

Original Home Zip Code

Qualify for a Free/Reduced Lunch

Academic Information

If the information requested for a field with an asterisk does not apply to you, type NA (meaning “not applicable”) to complete and submit the form.

High School

MCPS ID # (MD Students Only)

Guidance Counselor

Guidance Counselor Email Address

Possible Career Interests

Possible College Majors

Favorite Academic Subject(s):

Did You Take The PSAT This Semester?

List Any AP/IB Tests You Have Taken and Scores For Each

Extracurricular Involvement

If the information requested for a field with an asterisk does not apply to you, type NA (meaning “not applicable”).

9th Grade Extracurricular Activities (Please list your 9th grade extracurricular or community activities, including any hobbies, clubs, leadership activities, and how many hours per week spent engaged in the extracurricular activity.)

10th Grade Extracurricular Activities (Please list your 10th grade extracurricular or community activities, including any hobbies, clubs, leadership activities, and how many hours per week spent engaged in the extracurricular activity.)

Employment (Describe any job you have held or currently hold including how many hours per week spent engaged in the job.)

Family Member Information

In this section, you will fill out information about parent/guardian #1 (work, education, employment, etc.). Please answer as best you can. If you do not have information for a parent/guardian, please type “Do Not Have This Information.”

Parent First Name

Parent Last Name

Parent Email

Parent Mobile Phone

Primary Language

Employment Type

Occupation

Family Member Information

In this section, you will fill out information about your parent/guardian #2 (work, education, employment, etc.). Please answer as best you can. If you do not have information for a parent/guardian, please type “Do Not Have This Information.”

Parent First Name

Parent Last Name

Parent Email

Parent Mobile Phone

Primary Language

Employment Type

Occupation

Family Member Information

In this section, you will fill out information about your siblings. Please answer as best you can. If your sibling is not in school, please type "Not in School".

If you do not have any siblings, please skip and move onto the next part of the application. If you have more than one sibling, please enter information for those siblings in the "Additional Information" section at the end of the application.

Sibling First Name

Sibling Last Name

Sibling Year of Birth

School Name

CDI Scholar/Alumni

Check box if this sibling is a current CDI Scholar or an alumni of the program

Relationship

Writing Information

Please answer three of the five following writing prompts. Make sure to proofread and give each writing prompt careful thought. These short prompts should be between 200 – 250 words and typed in the boxes below.

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2. Describe the accomplishment (big or small) of which you are most proud. (Should focus on an accomplishment that occurred 8th grade and beyond).

3. Other than through classes in school, in what areas (non-academic or academic) have you acquired knowledge or skills? How?

4. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? (Should focus on an experience that 8th grade and beyond).

5. Explain how you contribute to the well-being of your family, school, workplace, community, or place of worship. What have you gained and/or learned from that community?

Additional Information

Please answer the following questions and upload the requested documents below.

Does your family receive income from other sources? (For example: rental property, SNAP, TANF, social security income, investments, or other compensation) If yes, please list below. If no, please type "Not Applicable" below.

Please list all sources (and amounts) of extra income.

Please upload a copy of your family’s 2023 tax return (Form 1040/1040EZ/1040A). Please include the complete return; including all schedules. Include W2/1099/Public Assistance letter.

Recommendations for uploading documents:

If you do not have a scanner, you can use your phone.

IPhone Users: Go to your "Notes" app. Start a new "Note" and select the "Camera" icon. A few options will appear, select "Scan Documents". Take clear pictures of all the pages and then select "Save". Then, you can select the "Share" icon and share with yourself (AirDrop to computer, Email, etc.).

Android Users: There are a few app choices you can download. Please see below for a list of recommended free apps to use.

Adobe Scan
Cam Scanner
SwiftScan
Microsoft Lens

Please upload an unofficial copy of your current transcript

Please upload copy of your 10th PSAT score report (if taken)

Please include any additional information you want to share in your application.

Contact Information