Basic Criteria: Are competently written; are fully developed; avoid clichés; demonstrate an interest in and understanding of global issues.

Competitive Criteria: Demonstrate excellent, mature writing skills; the presence of a voice and personal writing style; critical thinking; ownership of the ideas presented; self-awareness; tolerance; genuine interest in and sensitivity to global issues.

Basic Criteria: Demonstrates grasp of what constitutes a global issue; develops some significant points.

Competitive Criteria: Demonstrates unusual insight into subject; sensitivity and understanding of international issues; has selected a significant and reasonable topic; explores it beyond headline level, making a local connection to the issue as well.

Basic Criteria: Has had at least two years study or immersion in a second language.

Competitive Criteria: Has sought other language experience beyond basic two years; has studied at least one in depth.

Basic Criteria: Strong transcript. Strong test scores, if available.

Competitive Criteria: Overall, consistent academic strength in transcript and verbal and writing scores, if available. Student takes challenging courses and performs well, particularly in the realm of social studies courses and languages.

Basic Criteria: Reveals some leadership and an above average level of energy for becoming involved in activities outside of the classroom.

Competitive Criteria: Reveals leadership, a high level of energy, initiative to create or seek out special activities or opportunities, and a trend toward activities reflecting interest in languages, cultures, government, economics, and/or other global concerns.

Basic Criteria: Rates candidate above average or excellent in most categories. Are generally positive.

Competitive Criteria: Rate candidate very strong; provide specific evidence of independence, initiative, ability to work with others, ability to accept and apply criticism, and strengths in areas relating to areas of study. Additionally, language teacher reports strong ability to learn and articulate in a second language as well as tolerance of others; social studies teacher reports high interest in global issues.