Eligibility

To be eligible for the Morehead-Cain, a candidate must show evidence of outstanding achievement in the following four criteria:

• Leadership
• Scholarship
• Moral Force of Character
• Physical Vigor

In addition to meeting the Morehead-Cain criteria, a student must also fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

• You are in the 12th grade, on track to graduate in the spring of 2008;
• You are unmarried and without children

Any student attending high school in North Carolina is eligible for consideration.

• N.C. students may be nominated by their high schools; or
• N.C. students may apply directly if not nominated

Students attending high school outside of North Carolina must be nominated for the Morehead-Cain in ONE of the following ways:

• By selected secondary schools in the United States. Secondary schools outside of North Carolina become eligible to nominate by invitation of the Morehead-Cain Foundation. Interested school officials may request eligibility requirements by e-mailing moreheadcain@unc.edu. (Please note: our school selection process is closed for the 2008-2009 school year.)
• As a sponsored or direct applicant from any secondary school in the United Kingdom.
• As a sponsored or direct applicant from any secondary school or cégep in Canada.
• By the UNC-Chapel Hill Office of Undergraduate Admissions (for non-resident students who apply to the University by the November 1 deadline).
• By selected educational programs that have been invited as nominating affiliates.

Only students attending school in North Carolina, Great Britain, or Canada may apply directly if not nominated by their secondary schools. All others must be nominated by a participating eligible school, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, or a nominating affiliate.

For a list of important deadlines, please see the 2007–2008 Morehead-Cain Selection Process Calendar.

If you are eligible to be nominated, the next steps are:

• See the Selection Process link and the 2007–2008 Selection Process Calendar above for an overview of the process and important deadlines.
• Contact your school guidance or college counselor (or your careers adviser for UK students) for more information.

Criteria

The Foundation seeks top high school students who are dynamic young leaders in their schools and communities. Successful candidates will rank near the top of their class academically, and their classroom performance will be complemented by contributions and achievements in non-academic areas.

The following four criteria are used to evaluate nominees:

• Capacities to lead and motivate fellow students
• Scholastic ability and extracurricular attainments
• Moral force of character
• Physical vigor as shown by participation in sports or in other ways.

Other qualities sought by Morehead-Cain selection committees include initiative, creativity, perseverance, and empathy for others.

Financial need is not considered in making nominations or selections. The Morehead-Cain is conferred solely on merit.