In addition to a greater understanding of the Renaissance and appreciation of its lasting values, the Palazzo Strozzi High School Renaissance Award is designed to assist the awardees in their efforts to gain entry into college. After the successful completion of this academic program which includes the writing of the Common Application essay for college admissions, each student is awarded a Certificate of Completion by the Foundation which we believe will help them when competing for competitive college admissions and scholarships the following Fall.
The Foundation also provides SAT preparation prior to or following their travels in Italy and a one-day Common Application writing workshop upon their return in which students have the opportunity to finalize the Common Application prior to the start of their senior year. The Foundation also writes personal letters of recommendation as needed to accompany college or scholarship applications. Our goal is to encourage all of the Palazzo Strozzi Foundation students to develop their passions and strive for the best universities and colleges that they can and to begin their freshman year with confidence and ambition.
The Palazzo Strozzi High School Renaissance Award Program has been featured in a front page article in The New York Times (August 5, 2011) recognizing that this program is the only one in the country which provides fully-funded travel abroad for deserving high school students who would otherwise not have the opportunity to experience this level of college preparation.
