Selection Results

A Message for Candidates and Families

It takes courage to apply for something competitive, and every student who applied should feel proud of the effort, creativity, and leadership they showed throughout this process.

With more than 160 applicants and only 34 available spots, these decisions were extremely difficult. Many students who were not selected this year were talented, thoughtful, and highly qualified candidates.

What We Look For – Selection Criteria

All applicants go through the same selection process and are considered using the same overall criteria, including:

• Thoughtfulness and depth of application responses

• Participation in an interview or group activity

• Quality and effort in the optional video submission

• Teacher feedback on character, leadership, dependability, as well as how well you use your class time

• For current members: demonstrated growth, work ethic, and contribution to the team

Our goal is to build a balanced team of students with different strengths, personalities, perspectives, and leadership styles who will contribute positively to the RioTV community.

Frequently Asked Questions (usually from parents/guardians)

Q: My child is talented, hardworking, and would have been a great fit for RioTV. Why weren’t they selected?
Many applicants who were not selected would have been successful members of RioTV. Unfortunately, with such a large and competitive applicant pool, we are unable to offer spots to every deserving student.

Q: Why don’t you post a public list of students who were selected?
Results are shared privately by email rather than through a public list. This approach respects student privacy and allows families to process the news in their own way.

Q: Can we get feedback?
Due to the large number of applicants and the highly competitive nature of the process, individualized feedback is not available.

Q: Is the process fair?
Every candidate completed the same application process and was considered using the same overall selection criteria.

Final Thought

Applying to RioTV takes courage. Regardless of the outcome, students who applied showed a willingness to step up, take risks, and be part of something bigger than themselves. That matters.

Second Chance Application Process (start of the new school year)

Some students still wish to be part of RioTV after the initial selection process ends. For those students, we offer a limited Second Chance Application process at the start of the school year.

How Second Chance works:

• Applications will be available in Room B-5 on the second day of school

• The process begins with a paper application that must be picked up in person

• Submit your completed application as soon as possible — spots are limited and will be filled quickly

• Due to the fast pace of the school year, our selection process will move quickly. Be sure to follow the instructions on the paper application carefully. Prepare for a possible in-person, individual or group activity, to be scheduled on that FIRST THURSDAY or FRIDAY of school.

What are you looking for, Mr. Ippolito? How can I prepare for the "Second Chance"?

We had a TON of candidates this year, many of whom are very highly qualified! The Second Chance application process is a way for a candidate to say, "Hey, Mr. Ippolito. Could you please give me a second look? Could you please review my application, my teacher recommendations, and my video submission one more time? Because there is some sort of interview/face-to-face component, it's an opportunity for candidates to remind us of what we may have loved about you in the interview process the first time around, or to catch some qualities that maybe we missed when there were 50 other students in the room.

There is no more preparation, review, study, or additional documentation that we need to help us make our decision. There is no project to work on over the summer. "Second Chance" is simply you as a student asking to be more closely considered based on the content that has already been submitted.

Mr. Ippolito currently intends to continue serving as RioTV Advisor for the upcoming school year. However, school programs and staffing can change over time. The Second Chance process may be adjusted in future years depending on the needs of the program and its advisor.