<p>So I just got nominated a Presidential Scholar candidate (the US Dep of Ed. nominates 2600 a year). Think this will help at all with my deferral? I'm looking for shreds of hope here guys.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ed.gov/programs/psp/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.ed.gov/programs/psp/index.html</a></p>
<p>If you look hard you'll find my name, but I don't think I've told anyone on here my name, so.</p>
<p>Let the admissions office know. It couldn't hurt.</p>
<p>Congratulations NJPitcher! I hope this helps your application, please keep us posted. Certainly it will help you overall, but I hope that Swarthmore will strongly consider you again, with an acceptance this time.</p>
<p>My first guess is Zach.</p>
<p>I think there are only 20 from each state? It should help, I think. You should send them an update as soon as possible about this development. Good luck, I hope you get in!</p>
<p>Send them an update. It will also show your continuing interest in the school.</p>
<p>congrats njpitcher. Do you know what the selection process is, and how you were nominated?</p>
<p>I think the Department of Education selects the 20 males and 20 females in each state with the highest SAT or ACT scores. No application/nomination required.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ed.gov/programs/psp/faq.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.ed.gov/programs/psp/faq.html</a></p>
<p>For the academic component of the program, students who meet the following criteria:
· are U.S. citizens; </p>
<p>· graduate or receive a diploma between January and August of the current program year; and </p>
<p>· score exceptionally well on either the SAT of the College Board or the ACT of the American College Testing Program, based on tests taken during the two-year window that begins in September, 2003 and runs through October, 2005, (for the recognition cycle concluding in June, 2006). The new SAT test includes a required writing component, and a "Critical Reading" section that equates to and replaces what was formerly known as the "Verbal" section. The new SAT will be administered for the first time in March of 2005. So, Scholars recognized in June 2006 will be the first group who experience either of the new testing formats. Since the writing component is not a required part of both assessments, however, that score will not be used to determine eligibility for the Presidential Scholars Program. We will continue to develop our list of eligible candidates using the same scores (Math and Verbal/Critical Reading for the SAT, and English, Math, Reading and Science for the ACT) that we currently do. </p>
<p>Application for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is by invitation only . Students may not apply individually to the program or be nominated (outside of the above process). </p>
<p>I'm not listed as a Candidate, but my test score should be high enough to qualify. </p>
<p>If you are a US Citizen, graduating in the current program year, and received this test score in one sitting, please call us at 319-341-2PSP (319-341-2777), and be prepared to provide us with your state of legal residence, full name, gender, the date you took the test, and a copy of your test report. We will verify the information and determine whether you are eligible to apply. If eligible, you will be mailed an application that has to be returned by February 23, 2006 . If the application receipt deadline has passed, you will not be able to apply, even if your score is high enough. </p>
<p>Students chosen as Presidential Scholars receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, DC in the summer, during which they meet with government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientists and other accomplished people. During the week, scholars have the opportunity to visit museums and monuments, and to attend recitals, receptions and ceremonies. To commemorate their achievement, the Scholars are awarded the Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House. </p>
<p>How Are Scholars Selected for the...</p>
<p>Academic Component</p>
<p>All graduating high school seniors who are citizens of the United States and have scored exceptionally well on either the SAT of the College Board or the ACT Assessment of the American College Testing Program during the two-year window that begins in September, 2003 and runs through October, 2005, are automatically considered for participation. This program cycle concludes with recognition events held in June, 2006. Students who notified ACT or ETS in writing that they did not want their scores released to outside agencies are excluded. Also excluded are students who did not indicate their year of graduation to be between January and August of the current program year. </p>
<p>The U.S. Department of Education then looks at test records for the top 30 males and top 30 females in each of the states/jurisdictions. For each examinee, the SAT score is converted to the ACT Sum of Scores, according to a concordance table. Each individual examinee's highest test score (in a single test administration ) is identified, and duplicates and/or lower scores are dropped. </p>
<p>The combined file of scores from the top male examinees and top female examinees are then ranked from high to low in each state. The scores associated with the top 20 male examinees and top 20 female examinees are used to identify the candidates in each state. When ties occur in the cut off score, more than 20 persons of that gender are selected in that state. </p>
<p>To be considered further, candidates must submit candidacy materials, including essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports, and transcripts. Candidates are evaluated on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and an analysis of their essay. </p>
<p>In late March, approximately 500 semifinalists are chosen by an independent, national committee of educators convened by the Commission on Presidential Scholars. Six to twenty semifinalists are identified for each state/jurisdiction by the review committee. The number of semifinalists identified per state/jurisdiction is based on a proportionate number of test takers for that state. </p>
<p>In April, the Commission on Presidential Scholars makes the final selection of the 121 students. One young man and one young woman are chosen from each state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and from families of U.S. citizens living abroad. In addition, up to 15 students are chosen at large.</p>
<p>Interesting. So basically, you need to get 1600 on the two non-writing sections.</p>