KAMS is the Kansas Academy of Math and Science at Fort Hays State University. It is a program that allows juniors and seniors in high school to become full time college students instead of going to high school every day. Interested sophomores can apply.

Once KAMS students graduate the program, they will receive a high school diploma along with 68 hours of college credit.

Sophomore Caitlin Kuhl recently got accepted to the KAMS program.

“I first leaned about KAMS from my middle school math teacher,” Kuhl said. “My family and I thought it was an interesting opportunity.”

Very few students get accepted to the program each year, and it is highly competitive.

“I decided to apply because I wanted a unique experience that not many other people would be able to have, as only up to 40 students are accepted each year, sometimes not even that,” Kuhl said.

To be considered students must have an ACT score of 23 or an SAT score of 1590. They must also have completed Geometry and Algebra II and maintain a 3.0 GPA while enrolled in the program.

For the application process students must write a few essays and receive several letters of recommendation from the teachers it asks for.

Kuhl was very surprised and excited when she found out she got accepted to the program. Kuhl recommends the program to any students considering applying for KAMS.

“My advice to students considering KAMS is to do it, but only if you are okay with not getting the full high school experience,” Kuhl said. “Honestly the experience I will get is probably just as fun as the average high school experience.”

21abrull@usd489.com