<p>My son is a candidate for the Presidential Scholar's award. It seems to involve a fairly large amount of essay writing to go on in the process. After months of writing essays for college apps and a play he's directing about to go into rehearsals, I'm wondering how strongly to encourage that he take on this new piece of work.</p>
<p>Does anyone have an idea what they are looking for beyond high test scores? My son has very good grades and Ecs and teachers like him, etc., but I don't know that he's done anything that would make him stand out in this crowd. Not too much volunteer work, hasn't had to overcome much adversity (except for some teasing for being smart and geeky--you can't really say that).</p>
<p>And are the rewards worth it? Certainly, it's an honor, but my son does not hold the current president or his policies or his war in high regard. Any parents or students out there who can shed light on this from personal experience? I won't push him, but I might encourage him more strongly if I had a better grasp.</p>
<p>It was a lot of additional essay work on top of the application process. Trip to D.C. might be nice if DS/DD wins but in our case DD did not win a trip and felt the whole thing was a waste of time. Upon reflection it would have been better to spend that time improving scholarship essays.</p>
<p>We had a pres. scholar a few years back at our school. He'd done science research, at least an Intel semi-finalist, was an Eagle Scout and ran on the track team (but I don't think he was a star). He certainly hadn't overcome any adversity that I know of.</p>
<p>You probably already know that they will only select 1 male and 1 female from each state. The kids that I know who have been selected usually have some outstanding awards or research in their back pockets in addition to perfect SAT scores and top grades. If your son is excited about doing this, it would be fine, but since he doesn't seem to be interested, I would let it go. It would be a nice honor, but not worth a lot in the greater scheme of things.</p>
<p>I guess it might come down to whether he feels he has the time for the extra essays. There are teachers he'd want to honor, though it may be hard to pick just one. This input is helpful. Thanks!</p>
<p>I would have him go ahead and do the essays. What's required pales in comparison to college application essays that he, presumably, has already written. If he is selected, great. He gets to make a trip to DC and shake hands with a president whose policies he abhors. (Oops-- sorry-- I guess that was my viewpoint . . .) One thing for sure, if he doesn't complete it, he will definitely not be selected. I do think that the bigger payback seems to be for those kids who are selected in the arts. They get to perform at the Kennedy Center, and I suspect all that may, in fact, help them with merit scholarship money. Not sure about those who are selected, or chosen as finalists, based on academics. My daughter was a finalist, but I don't think it was a factor at all--in acceptances or scholarship monies. As I remember, the selections were all made later than after one hears about schools, although I'm not sure about that now. At any rate, I don't think it's that much (more) work than anything else he's probably already done as a senior.</p>
<p>That's true--the final decisions aren't made until long after admissions decisions are made. Some people have told me just being named a candidate is looked on favorably by many schools, so I will suggest that my son send an update to the colleges he's applied to, whether or not he decides to take the next step in the process.</p>
<p>And yes, he does abhor the policies of the current administration, but not the office of the presidency (is that the right word?).</p>
<p>bethievt: Yes, I think my daughter did that, too--notified the schools about being a candidate. In fact, I do remember her calling one school (I won't mention the name), and asked if they wanted information like that, if she should send that along, with mid-term grades or whatever--and the person on the other end, said something like, "Oh, that's completely unnecessary. That sort of recognition will make no difference to us as most all of our current students were presidential scholars, or presidential scholar candidates . . . the same is true for our applicants. " Oh, brother. (Some schools have a real inflated sense of the qualilty of their student body, I gather.) She sent it in anyway (and was accepted, though I doubt that made a difference). I just thought that was a hoot. </p>
<p>Anyway . . . yes I agree and understand your last sentence there.</p>
<p>D1 made the semi-final step in our high population state but the final winners seemed to be kids who had cured cancer, brought peace to the middle east or started orphanages in third world countries. Since the first round is based on scores, really top colleges aren't impressed and the last cut comes too late to impress colleges..... it boils down to the time he has to fill out the forms proportional the chance that he's the best male candidate in your state.</p>
<p>My D is a candidate this year and will notify her schools via her mid-year report. However, she won't proceed with the process as the essays would take a significant effort. Instead, she's going to concentrate on a couple of outside scholarships that provide $$ rewards. I'm sure it's a great opportunity if you make it, but it's a long shot. We only know one student who make it from our state, beyond academics she was an acclaimed cellist, at the level to be invited to tour with Pink Martini.</p>
<p>Based on what I have seen from our state the past two years, a lot of emphasis is apparently placed on the guidance counsellor recommendations and packaging of the student. One particular school in our state normally has a winner, despite students (including the winning student) from that school generally not doing as well in the college admissions process. My take is that the school counsellor from the winning school "knows" what the committee is looking for, while counsellor from my daughter's school didn't put much emphasis on it. And no, the winners did not have any special ECs, or community service awards, but apparently had a well-crafted package.
Again, only one parent's view, but check your state to see if one school seems to have a "lock" on the winners; if so, and it isn't your son's school, my view is that time could be better spent on other things.</p>
<p>My dear daughter is also a candidate this year, but also find the essay too demanding and choose not to proceed. She would rather relax or study. Perhap they should attach a helfy scholarship to go with it to encourage participation.</p>
<p>Actually, they have in certain years surprised the winners with monetary wards at the White House ceremony. I have had four winners in classes I taught.</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone, for input. Our GC doesn't think our school has ever had a winner. I'm going to just be quiet about this and if my son chooses to do the extra work, fine and if not, that's also fine.</p>
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My dear daughter is also a candidate this year, but also find the essay too demanding and choose not to proceed. She would rather relax or study.
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<p>Don't forget goofing off on College Confidential :D</p>
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Perhap they should attach a helfy scholarship to go with it to encourage participation.
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<p>Agreed. The Paperwork Burden Act statement says it'll take 16 hours to fill out the forms -- likely an underestimate. Is meeting the president really worth the time I could be spending playing NetHack or watching TV? Maybe for $5000 it would be.</p>
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Actually, they have in certain years surprised the winners with monetary wards at the White House ceremony. I have had four winners in classes I taught.
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That is quite an accomplishment. By the way, how much were the surprise monetary award form your experience?</p>