Maxson welcomes scholars

Freshman President's Scholars , their families and President Robert Maxson enjoyed a reception as a part of scholars' orientation program at the Japanese Garden Friday evening.
 

Cristian Vera Aleman/Summer Forty-Niner Cal State Long Beach President Robert Maxson welcomes a group of the 68 new President's Scholars and their family members to a social reception at the Japanese Gardens Friday.

Out of 472 applicants, 68 students were accepted into the program this year, according to Valerie Bordeaux, director of University Outreach and School Relations. Those students are from 38 counties, which consist 68 percent of the state.

The program was founded by private firms, including the President Associates and Alumni Associates, in order to attract high achieving students to Cal State Long Beach, Maxson said. 

Cal State Long Beach has come to be the university of choice for those students, according to Maxson.

"The president's scholars program is recognized by the California Legislature as a model program in the state," Bordeaux said.  "And is recommending that other CSUs and UCs follow soon."

The average GPA of a President's Scholars is 4.2, Bordeaux said, because of Advanced Placement classes that are graded on a 5.0 scale. 

President's Scholars  must meet many requirements in addition to maintaining a high GPA at CSULB, such as talking about the program at their old high schools.

President's Scholars are involved in campus activities as well, according to Bordeaux, including student organizations and Associated Students, Inc.