Hey guys,
Anyone apply for the Bruce Fishkin Scholarship this school year? And has anyone heard back if they’re a finalist yet? Any comments would be appreciated, we’re a pretty small group of applicants and there’s not a whole lot of information online. Thanks
Screenager, my D is in the same boat as you. Really, there appears to be very little information out there about the number of applicants so its hard to gauge what anyone’s chances might be. Are you from Conn, Las Vegas or the Chicago area? Either way, good luck to you. D will definitely be checking her e-mail this week in the hopes of getting good news.
I hail from Chicago, and you? Emails were sent to all applicants today, I did not advance. Good luck to your daughter and let me know if she is a finalist!
Same here. Onward and upward. Good luck with wherever you end up.
Thanks, and same to your daughter as well. If anyone else is reading this and did advance to finalist standing, I’d be really curious to see what your stats are/essay was about.
Hey all, I did advance as a finalist. I have a 4.6 GPA, but not the best SAT scores. They actually emailed me before they decided who to pick because I told them I do independent astrophysics research and have derived multiple theories, but my math score was low, so I had to explain that. I did prove to them that I know my stuff and I told them that my Math 1 SAT Subject Test was scored a 710, so that was enough to pass me through. My essay was about my passion for quantum theory, math, and physics in general; the hardships during my academic career (moving a lot and trying to afford extra textbooks to learn new things); and my choice to transfer to a dual-enrollment school in hopes to get a better education than that which was available to me. I also mentioned their mission statement, early academic achievements, and that curiosity and fire is more important than a transcript. Hope that helps!
PS. Just as a guideline, please tell your kids to never stretch the truth to make themselves seem more impressive. I had a friend who applied for college saying he ran his own business when he really only sold two tie-dye t-shirts to his friends. That’s a drastic situation, but important to keep in mind.
So, I am also pretty frustrated with the fact that there’s very little information about the number of applicants and finalists. I plan on asking as soon as my interview date/time is finalized. Have any of you found any information since you last posted?
Oh, and I live in Las Vegas, NV 
I just found a source claiming that in 2011 more than 1,000 students applied and 16 finalists were chosen from that pool. Any verification?
http://patch.com/illinois/plainfield/an–twin-brothers-in-running-for-4-year-college-scholarship
@kivrea Congratulations!!! I’m actually quite jealous. My friend received an email from the Bruce Fishkin people with her denial letter saying there were 1600ish applicants this year. I’m from Chicago. As a curiosity, do they fly people to Las Vegas for the big interview? I actually found one of the past winners from like three years ago on Facebook and he said there were 16 finalists his year too.
Again congratulations, let me know how it goes! Oh, and where do you want to go to school?
@Screenager Thank you so much I’m sorry about your friend. It really was super competitive this year though. I’m not sure if they fly them, but I live in Las Vegas, so I wouldn’t know.
Thanks for mentioning the number for that Facebook winner’s year. At least I know it’s consistent
So far, aside from safety schools, I’ve been accepted to Cornell University and Duke University, but I’m still waiting for three other responses (crossing my fingers for Princeton!) so we’ll see in about two weeks 
Thank you again for the congratulations. I really appreciate it
My daughter was a finalist in 2013. We live in Chicago. They did fly her and one parent out for the interview. They also providing spending money. I believe there were 16 finalists in 2013 too.
That’s so great! @kivrea Do you know yet?
I got the scholarship!!!
Ps. There were 1800 applicants this year, 24 finalists, and 6 scholarships given.
Congratulations, kivea. Where will you use it?
That’s so awesome. Congratulations, that’s just incredible. I’d be super curious to hear where it’ll go towards as well.
It would seem that the trend here for being in good standing with the admissions committee for this scholarship is
being passionate about what every you do. Also long as you demonstrate that you are a go getter, and are passionate about an educational topic that is good grounds for admission especially in you essay. Kivrea, and Judy:
https://sites.google.com/site/judyjaureguiportfolio/the-six-tenets/writing-skills
are good examples of this, I believe. Am i wrong, am I right? Please, comments?
Hi! I’m a senior in high school and I recently found out I’m a semifinalist for the Bruce Fishkin Scholarship. I was hoping I could get more information about what the interview will be like from someone who has been through the processes. They told me it’ll only be a 10 minute interview, which is a lot shorter than I’m used to, so any helpful information or suggestions are greatly appreciated!
How were you notified? By email?
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