Sarah Hartman, a
sophomore at Allen County-Scottsville High School, is looking forward to the next
step on her educational journey---the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science
at Western Kentucky University. Earlier this month, Hartman learned that she is
among 96 Kentucky sophomore students selected from over 400 applicants for the Gatton
Academy class of 2021.
“I’m very excited,” Hartman said. “I can’t imagine being around everybody that got in because they are so smart. I feel like I’m going to be around people that really enjoy math and science and that will further my passion for math and science.”
Hartman notes that
she first began to consider applying to the two-year school---a school which challenges
students academically in a very supportive environment---during her freshman
year of high school.
“I had a friend that got in during my eighth-grade year, but I really didn’t know what it was until she told me a little more about it in my freshman year,” Hartman explained. “The wheels in my head started turning midway through freshman year. I followed it, researched it, and began the application process at the first of August.”
Gatton Academy
attracts students from across the Commonwealth. To apply, students must meet
several requirements including Kentucky residency, sophomore standing at the
time of application, junior status when classes at Gatton begin, and the competition
of Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry by the end of their sophomore year. The
applicant must also score a minimum of 22 in math on the ACT or a 520 in math
on the SAT.
In addition, student selection also takes several additional factors into consideration. A student’s interest in careers in science, technology, engineering, and math, essay responses, recommendations from teachers and community members, and interviews by members of the Gatton Academy help determine acceptance into the prestigious program.
“It’s rigorous,” Hartman said, referring to the application requirements. “The online application has three essays, you have to list your community service, your activities, your extra curriculars, and you have to have at least two recommendations. It’s advised to get three or four, I had four recommendations from teachers and community leaders.”
Hartman’s application materials were reviewed after which she was invited to the interview phase of the process---a 10-minute interview that allowed Hartman to simply talk, face-to-face, with the selection committee. Once completed, Hartman waited for over a month to learn the results.
Now, Hartman will complete her sophomore year
at AC-SH before beginning classes at Gatton in August. She will be required to
live in Florence Schneider Hall---a
dorm dedicated specifically to Gatton
students---on the campus at Western.
Officially having dual enrollment at WKU, her academic class schedule begins
when WKU classes start in late August.
“It’s definitely going to be an adjustment,” Hartman admits. “I’m think the close proximately to everyone else and being in a such a tight-knit community environment is really going to help me discover who I am and what I want to do and who I want to be. Of course, my family lives 20 minutes down the road and my grandparents are 10 minutes down the road. I can always be in touch with my parents. I can call them or text them. It will also be a good chance to be independent of them and find out what it’s like.”
When asked about a
specific career choice, Hartman candidly admits that she is unsure as to her long-time
goal. However, she is sure of her love for math and science.
“I really enjoy math and science is pretty okay to,” Hartman said. “When I get to Gatton, I can take upper level classes that will expose me to different types of math and science and help me figure out what I want to do.”
Hartman is also
looking forward to the research and travel components offered by the Gatton
Academy.
“Every student has to do two semesters of research under a professor,” Hartman shared. “Gatton also has study abroad. I know the Biology study abroad goes to Costa Rica and works with environmental causes. I also know that you can study in Europe with some classes.”
One thing Hartman
will have to leave behind is her participation with the AC-S swim team and several
other community and school activities. However, she expects plenty to fill her
plate.
“There are a lot of activities that I do now that I will miss but getting involved in the activities at Gatton is a much better option for me,” Hartman said.
Hartman---the
daughter of Steve and Julie Hartman---will earn a minimum of 60 hours of
college credit during her two-year experience. In May of 2021, Hartman will not
only receive a diploma from Gatton Academy but also from Allen
County-Scottsville High School. After graduation, Hartman can remain at WKU to
pursue her higher education degree or transfer her college credits to her college
choice for future study.
The Gatton Academy was established in 2007 as Kentucky’s first residential STEM program for outstanding juniors and seniors. All tuition costs, room, and board are covered by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.