Outstanding Scholar Program

Generally, all applicants for GS-7 must have an additional 1 year of specialized experience. College graduates, who demonstrate one of the following, may qualify for the GS-7 level without the required 1 year of specialized experience. These applicants do not have to compete; however, official transcripts are required and academic achievement must be demonstrated through one of the following:

  • Overall GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for all courses, or during the final 2 years;
  • Rank in the upper third of the graduating class, or major subdivision (i.e., School of Business Administration);
  • Overall GPA of 3.50 on a 4.00 scale for courses completed in the major field or for courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years.

Superior Academic Achievement

The Superior Academic Achievement provision is used to determine eligibility for applicable GS-7 level positions of persons who have completed (or expect to complete within 9 months) all the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average or (3) honor society membership.

  • Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
  • Grade-Point Average (GPA) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of
    • 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
    • 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
  • Election to Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society - Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies, such as those listed in the Association of College Honor Societies: Booklet of Information and/or Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities.