Local Program Graduates Gain Admission to Top Universities Near and Far

Palouse Region – The Palouse Pathways Scholars program announces exceptional college outcomes for its 2025 graduating class, with 20 program participants collectively receiving over $3 million in grants and scholarships while gaining admission to some of the nation’s top universities.

Students Matriculating to Distinguished Institutions

The 2025 Palouse Pathways Scholars are enrolling at an impressive array of top universities across the nation and close to home:

  • Highly-rated Public Schools: University of Idaho, Washington State University, University of British Columbia, University of Washington, Western Washington University
  • Top STEM Schools: MIT, Georgia Tech and CalTech
  • Select Private Colleges and Universities: Princeton, Northwestern, Brown, WashU, Carleton, Whitman College, New England Conservatory, Saint Louis University, University of Puget Sound

Substantial Financial Support Secured

The graduating class secured substantial financial assistance for their college education:

  • Total Financial Aid: Over $3 million in recurring grants and scholarships
  • Individual Awards: Students received $100,000-$380,000 in total support over four years

Notable achievements include multiple students securing over $300,000 in scholarship support, with several earning packages ranging from $168,000 to $380,000.

Strategic College Selection

Students made thoughtful decisions about their college destinations, with choices driven by:

  • Academic Programs (45%): Students prioritized institutions offering the strongest programs in their intended fields of study
  • Financial Considerations (35%): Many chose schools offering the most favorable financial aid packages
  • Location Preferences (15%): Some selected institutions based on geographic factors
  • Other Factors (5%): Including campus culture and specific opportunities

Palouse Pathways works with its scholars to help them recognize their priorities and to identify the things they will need to be successful in college.  Using the tools developed through scholars led one student to choose MIT over Harvard, Stanford and Yale; and another student to choose University of Idaho over elite east coast schools. 

Strategic Geographic and Academic Distribution

Program graduates selected institutions spanning the United States and internationally:

West Coast: University of Idaho, Washington State University, University of Washington, University of British Columbia

East Coast: MIT, Princeton, Brown University, New England Conservatory

Midwest: Northwestern University, Carleton College, Saint Louis University, WashU

Southeast: Georgia Tech

Students are pursuing diverse academic fields, from engineering and computer science at MIT and Georgia Tech to music performance at the New England Conservatory, demonstrating the breadth of academic excellence within the program.

Program Impact and Student Reflection

Participants credited the Palouse Pathways program with providing crucial guidance throughout the college application process. Students gained valuable insights about starting the application process early, understanding different financial aid formulas across institutions, applying to a diverse range of schools, and researching program-specific strengths at different universities.

“Palouse Pathways was incredibly helpful in my journey,” noted one student, while another emphasized learning about “all the factors that go into consideration” during the admissions process.

About Palouse Pathways Scholars

The Palouse Pathways Scholars program supports engaged college-bound students in the Palouse region through comprehensive college preparation, application guidance, community, and ongoing mentorship. Palouse Pathways was recently recognized as Program of Excellence by the Pacific Northwest Association of College Admissions Counselors. The program’s success is demonstrated through its participants’ exceptional college acceptance rates and substantial financial aid awards.

The 2025 graduating class represents diverse academic interests, from engineering and computer science to music performance and liberal arts, showcasing the program’s ability to support students across multiple disciplines and career paths.

Looking Forward

With graduates heading to institutions ranging from local universities to international programs, the Palouse Pathways Scholars continue to demonstrate that students from the Palouse region can compete successfully at the highest levels of higher education while making strategic decisions that align with their personal and financial goals.

Contact Information: Peggy Jenkins 208-717-1375 peggy@palousepathways.org www.palousepathways.org/scholars

Media Note: Individual student interviews may be available upon request, subject to student availability and consent.