<p>Does anyone have experience they would like to share? How arduous is the application process for this recognition program? It is obviously very competitive since there are only two winners per state, does anyone know features of past winners or weight given to different criteria for this (e.g., ECs, recommendations, essays)? Also since this is a federal government program do they prefer public school kids? Any info appreciated, thanks.</p>
<p>My son was a Presidential Scholar. As I recall, the application process involved several essays, and while it wasn’t all that arduous, I know a number of kids who decided not to pursue it–it doesn’t come with any money, and the decisions are too late to be useful in college applications. That being said, it was very worthwhile–the recognition events were interesting and fun, and my son met some interesting people. I will note that his year, they didn’t actually get to meet the President, which was disappointing–but they did meet the Vice President.
I can’t say what criteria were used to choose the actual Scholars–I would say that quite a few of them had some non-academic achievements (like being an Eagle Scout). As you probably know, the initial screen is based on top SAT scores.</p>
<p>Several friends had kids nominated. The odds are slim, and depending on the student’s academic load, extracurriculars, and sports, it might be better to just be content with being a nominee. One of the kids was selected for artistic merit, though she also had high SAT scores.</p>
<p>There is a separate arts track.</p>
<p>Thanks much. Arabrab, why do you say that it is not worth trying? Just because of the odds? Anything anecdotally about how hard it is to get? thanks.</p>
<p>Aniger – for a student who is really busy with other things, I’m not sure it is worth the time given the odds. The one student I know who was selected as a Presidential Scholar was a kid who was absolutely, unbelievably brilliant as a socially adept mathematics student even back in middle school. Many, many national mathematics awards, writing awards, national chess awards, co-captain of a varsity sports team, leading roles in school musicals, perfect SAT and ACT scores, and recipient of “likely letters” from tippy-top Ivies as well as SCEA admission to Stanford. And he was adored by his teachers. A great kid, but I’m not sure that the other couple of kids nominated that same year from our town’s high schools ever came close to having a shot.</p>
<p>Arab, I second your description. My cousin’s son was a recipient from Massachusetts a number of years ago. He was also beyond brilliant (made Phi Beta Kappa his Soph yr at Stanford.)</p>
<p>The odds of selection depend on what state you’re from. </p>
<p>My kid knew there was NO way kid would get selected–mediocre high school grades. However, from friends, kid also knew that there were some special things that local finalists were eligible to do. So…filled out the apps to get those other things.</p>
<p>My kid was pretty outstanding (in my opinion, anyway), but he wasn’t overwhelmingly outstanding–he was chosen over people with better grades.</p>
<p>I suspect that it isn’t quite as hard to get (once you’re nominated) as you might think, just because quite a few people don’t apply for it.</p>
<p>Is anyone familiar with the timeline of the various stages of the competition?</p>
<p>Has the list of nominees been published?</p>
<p>Here’s the link to the FAQ on the program.
[Frequently</a> Asked Questions – U.S. Presidential Scholars Program](<a href=“http://www2.ed.gov/programs/psp/faq.html]Frequently”>Frequently Asked Questions -- U.S. Presidential Scholars Program)
Applications go out sometime this month, and the candidates are posted on the website after the applications are sent out. The due date should be indicated on the application–I think there is a moderate time interval, but not long (2-3 weeks?). Final dates are not set yet, but semi-finalists are notified in April, and selected scholars in May.
Good luck, silverturtle! We’ll be rooting for you.
And congratulations to your son, Hunt!</p>
<p>I’m still crossing my fingers that a 1590 will cut it for Texas.</p>
<p>The list of condidates is out:</p>
<p>[U.S</a>. Presidential Scholars Program](<a href=“http://www2.ed.gov/programs/psp/index.html]U.S”>U.S. Presidential Scholars Program)</p>
<p>My S was a semifinalist. (I think that’s what they call it. The group of 5 or so from whom the state winners are drawn.) I think he filled out the application mostly because of the opportunity to honor a teacher by taking him/her to Washington.</p>
<p>In CA, my daughter was one of more than 200 students with top SAT/ACT scores two years ago. If you look at the list, you’ll see the CA section is pages long! (I didn’t count them, so that 200 figure is a guess.)
The chances vary wildly depending on the population of your state, and the number of students tied with “perfect” scores.<br>
She knew that the chances were low, but chose to do the application. I think she wrote 14? short essays. She felt that it was worth it, because she would have loved the trip, and would have loved to honor her inspiring AP Biology teacher. Barack Obama had just been elected, and she would have loved to meet him. She wasn’t selected, but had no regrets about doing the application.
I will admit that I left it completely up to her to choose if she wanted to do it. She had done such an amazing job on her application essays, and had written some fairly extensive scholarship essays, and I let her know we were fine with her taking a break from the essay-writing business.</p>
<p>My son received his letter today and it is fun to see his name on the web link. I guess we will have to wait and see what he wants to do. When we pushed the final button last week for college/scholarship apps he said, “finally…no more essays”.</p>
<p>Hmmm, I was nominated for it also. Total of 5 people in my class of 380. Of the 5 names I see, seems like mine doesn’t belong. I doubt I can keep up with any of these people.</p>
<p>Even if you don’t get the national award, does anybody know what type of local recognition/stuff you can get?</p>
<p>Lol this thing is biased towards ppl who haven’t been accepted ED to a college. I think my semester grades essentially throw my chances out the window.</p>
<p>
If it’s any consolation, that year they didn’t get to meet him–only the Vice-President. I don’t know about last year.</p>