<p>Haha, I got it, too, and never knew this existed until today. Uh, looking at the scholars from past years, though... this should be interesting.</p>
<p>don't worry most of us will not become the actual presidential scholar from our state, but the fact that we were candidates is already a pretty good achievement</p>
<p>"Uh, looking at the scholars from past years, though... this should be interesting."</p>
<p>haha. What do you mean, ducktape?</p>
<p>And so...to tell or not to tell?</p>
<p>Too bad they tell people about this too late for apps =[</p>
<p>@waterbed- Just that those people burst, stomped on, and ground into the dirt whatever ego I had. Man oh days. Those guys are awesome.</p>
<p>I'm totally applying though. I mean, heck, better to try and possibly not make it than not try and have no chance at all!</p>
<p>There is a thread in the Parents Forum w/ more info: " 2008 Presidential Scholars candidates list is up"</p>
<p>There is another one in FinAid/Scholarship Forum: "Presidential Scholars question"</p>
<p>la montagne: they may answer your question</p>
<p>I'm from ducktape's state. I don't know how stiff the competition will be for the ladies in Michigan, but the gentlemen appear to have their work cut out for them. At a glance I recognize the names of a Siemens National Finalist and an RSI alumnus/USAMO qualifier. And I'm sure the others are pretty impressive too. </p>
<p>Oh well, I guess Bush won't be transferring any of his germs to me in June.</p>
<p>I completely agree- I'm very glad I'm not male.</p>
<p>I recognize a few of the ladies, but I went to the same summer program they did and I'd say we're about on the same level competition-wise. I'm sure there's some standout that I've just never heard of, though.</p>
<p>^ Ya there's always the person you've never heard of. There might be a national hog-raising champion in my state. Or something like that for all I know.</p>
<p>^haha. Gotta look out for those national hog-raising champions. They sneak in and you never even know what beat you.</p>
<p>I don't know anything about my other female candidates from NM.</p>
<p>How are the awards given out at the end? Is it a certain number from each state?</p>
<p>1 boy and 1 girl from each state, along with the 20 art scholars.</p>
<p>Oh, alright. Got it.</p>
<p>How many people actually complete the application, and how many of them become semifinalists?</p>
<p>I got the application, it looks daunting lol. It says on the sheet that 500 ppl become semis and 26-2700 are invited each year. If we assume that 2000 submit it (I think it's higher than this) then that's a semifinalist rate of 25%. If 2500 submit it-much more likely-then we are talking 20%, which are still poor odds considering the extremely talented pool. But if you don't try you dont know right?</p>
<p>Why do you think that 2500 people will submit it? It seems that most people I know are discouraged by the essays and lack of financial scholarship.</p>
<p>Or, Fred, this is a tactic to play up the odds in order to discourage others in your state from applying. So I'll be quiet.</p>
<p>Remember who's being invited-this isn't a bunch of normal high schoolers, these are people who (for the most part) have tried to amass every accolade they can that it becomes a habit. And even if they don't want to, their parents are along the lines of amassing accolades. I strongly doubt less than 2000 will submit the app, but you're probably right that not up to 2500 will submit.</p>
<p>lol. That too. :P</p>
<p>I emailed them. They said 1800-2000 apply.</p>
<p><em>tear</em></p>
<p>for NJ, the cutoff for ACTs was 144 (36 * 4 sections). i have a 143. gosh darn it, even a 36 isn't good enough.</p>
<p>What are the essay questions and words limits?</p>