<p>Congratulations to the 2007 nominees! My son was also a 2006 Presidential Scholar. He wasn't sure he wanted to go through the process, but we are very glad he did. As a result, our whole family spent an unforgettable week in Washington, D.C. </p>
<p>He thought about not mentioning in his application that he was the President of his high school's Young Democrats Club, but in the end decided to stay true to his political convictions (he thought his application would be doomed!). Though he wished he would have been able to meet a different president, I think he was nevertheless thrilled to go the White House and be honored by the President. There are a number of great receptions and events for both scholars and families, culminating in a wonderful concert by the Arts Scholars at the Kennedy Center. </p>
<p>Our high school community raised funds to send our son's inspirational teacher and his wife to the festivities. I can't tell you how very much it meant to our entire community that this outstanding teacher was honored in this way. He was the most inspirational teacher many students at our high school.</p>
<p>So, is it worth the extra hours to apply? Absolutely!</p>
<p>Turns out I just can't read! She's on there, but her entry extended onto two lines and so I didn't notice it at first since its formatting was different.</p>
<p>It is stated earlier in the thread but I wanted to post a clarification. A student's highest single sitting SAT w/o writing (out of 1600) and single sitting ACT w/o writing (out of 144) are used. It is possible to have a ACT 36 composite and have 36, 36, 36 and 35 sub-scores. The qualifications website mentions sum of the sub-scores.</p>
<p>Our D got this last year, but did not make the cut to go to DC. She had a 35 ACT and was the only person at her hs to make the initial list. There was one boy on the initial list from the "brother school" down the street. They were the only two in our town last year. </p>
<p>This year our town has about 8 or so, still only one from our hs, but 5 or 6 from the public magnet high.</p>
<p>We sent the info to U Chicago for consideration in their still pending scholarship decision, but she still did not get any money from them. However, when I called their finaid office to see if we should send this in for her file, the answer was, "Definitely, everyone else is."</p>
<p>fwitw, two people from our state who made the next cut were a Katrina evacuee who was his hs newspaper editor who ran the school newspaper online for 5 months while living in another state, and another kid who was a childhood cancer survivor. Don't know if these are the kinds of "extras" that go into finalist decisions in general or just a fluke, but maybe the info is helpful to you guys.</p>
<p>It's interesting to see someone mention that this is "a lot of work for the gc". Have no idea if our gc did anything to help D's application or not. Are there forms for them to fill out, or are you just stating that the gc can actually help the applicant if they try hard enough?</p>
<p>I guess you had to have a perfect score in NJ. My 2390 didn't make it, since my 790 was in math. Three kids from my school made it, and I'm pretty sure my overall score was higher than one or two of theirs, but they had 1600s, I guess. I'm mostly annoyed because this is the second time I've just missed something-I didn't get NMSF, since my junior year score was just under, but my soph score would've qualified. Oh well.</p>
<p>Writonthetransom--Don't worry too much. Your 2390 may not have been enough for Presidential Scholar candidacy in a highly populated state like New Jersey, but it will catch the eye of virtually any college you apply to. ... We live in Kentucky, with a much smaller population base than New Jersey. My daughter is a Presidential Scholar candidate--with a 2290 (1540) SAT score and a 35 ACT. Outstanding, but not as impressive as yours. ... So sorry about the NMSF. If you missed NMSF status on your PSAT and brought your SAT score up to a 2390, that deserves an award in and of itself. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Thanks, Hindoo. I've actually already been accepted at UChicago, which is my first choice, so I'm already set college-wise. I'm just a tad bitter over these things-no one at my school but my GC knows my score, and I'm not about to spread it around myself, so it's a bit frustrating when kids I know sit around going on and on about how smart so-and-so is because they got whatever score and I don't get any acknowledgement. Whatever, soon enough I'll be in college and no one will care much about SAT scores anymore.</p>
<p>
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My 2390 didn't make it, since my 790 was in math.
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Hmmm. That tells me they must not really consider the writing section or something. My son took the hit on the writing instead. He is on the list. A pity this came so late in the game. If he is chosen, it would have been a nice thing to put on an application. Oh well...</p>
<p>It's unfortunate that the nominations are published after most students have already submitted their college applications.</p>
<p>I'm not sure how they should make the initial cut for this honor. It bothers me that some incredible students in large states like California and Texas don't get considered because they are 10 points shy of a perfect SAT score. In smaller states, like ours, not all nominated students have that perfect score.</p>
<p>I think strong application essays and recommendations do help, but it's hard to say why a particular student is chosen as the Presidential Scholar. I'd like to think the commission looks at everything - test scores, grades, ecs, recommendations, character, etc. I am surprised that they don't subject the finalists to some sort of interview, but that would take an enormous amount of time.</p>
<p>Our son applied for many scholarships and honors like this one. Some he got, some he didn't. He learned that's it's worth striving for something you want, even if you don't always succeed.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure there is an interview. For example, this list that just came out is the initial list. When we did this last year there was the first list where you get sent the application and have to write the essays. Someone above said the hs has a 4 page form to fill out on each student. The initial list is supposed to be the top 20 boys and the top 20 girls in each state based on test scores.</p>
<p>After the applications are read the list is cut to about 10 each, boys and girls, and these students are invited to interview. From those interviewed they pick one boy and one girl from each state to go to DC in June for the awards, meetings, White House, etc.</p>
<p>I think they are looking at a lot more than just scores once they start reading the essays and gc forms, and of course the interviews bring out even more stuff. We all have to remind ourselves of what an honor it is to just make the first list. And DO send the fact that you're on that list to any school who is still deciding something on you, whether it is admission or money. You never know, if it comes down to you and one other person - they are always looking for a tie-breaker!</p>
<p>I have a quick question for parents whose kids might have applied in previous years. They provide you with an ID and password to submit your application online, and they're supposed to send a separate ID and password to the school's guidance office. If I submit my application online, does that mean that my school has to, too? Or can I submit my portion online and then have the guidance office send its part in by mail?</p>
<p>mercymom--thanks for the info. but if it's one boy, one girl for each state, how do they send 121? do bigger states or ones with higher scores get to send more?<br>
<em>crosses fingers</em> is there hope for this little new yorker after all?</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure it is two from each state, but that is the academic part. There is also a talent performing arts part. For instance, for the kids who go to DC, one night they go to the Kennedy Center and watch a show where the performing arts winners do their thing (like voice, piano, dance, etc). That is probably where the extra 21 comes from. </p>
<p>If you look around in the threads on cc for music/musical theater, somewhere on there they have a thread from before Christmas where they were all talking about their audition week in Florida for the cut for (insert name of award - I can't remember it now). These kids apply with videos or audition tapes and then the ones who make the cut go for a live audition. There is a second cut at the live audition where those who make it get this award thingy and the Presidential Medal in the Arts winners are selected from them and go to DC in June.</p>
<p>I think they are just finding out now who goes to Florida. The live auditions are in March or April, around the time of the academic interviews.</p>
<p>CC is so great. When we did this last year (only made the first list 'tho) and I read about the Kennedy center night, I wondered where they got the performing arts kids from. I found out reading cc music threads for my artsy kid. In fact, those people didn't know about the Presidential medal, 'cause at their audition they are competing for their own award which comes with scholarships and well the title is a big deal to them. Anyway, one of them put up a link and I read it and saw this is how the Presidential Arts kids are chosen. Some of the people applying did not even know that. It is a real big deal for them to go to the Florida week 'cause they do lots of stuff there, take class, and well it's a great oppty for them in general.</p>
<p>They ask you to submit some materials (one sheet entitled "LOCAL STUDENT _______ NAMED CANDIDATE IN PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM", plus an explanation of the program) to the local press. Is everyone else doing this, and if so, to whom are you sending them?</p>