US Presidential Scholar

D received a letter today notifying her she has been nominated to compete for US Presidential Scholar. Sometimes you get things like this and they are bogus but apparently this is a program run by the Department of Education. No scholarships associated with it but the top US citizen, male and female students in each state based on ACT or SAT scores are offered a chance to fill out an application and compete. If they win they get to go to Washington DC in June and do some neat things. Sort of like National Merit Finalist but no scholarship and a bit more difficult since it’s the top 3,000 students nationwide. Kind of neat

I got a letter about this today too. However I’m sort of struggling to see the point in it, though, if there’s no merit money attached and they release candidates after all applications are already due.

Here’s the full list of nominees if anyone wants it
http://www2.ed.gov/programs/psp/2015/candidates.pdf

DS recieved the letter today. How many candidates are in each states? Ours has about 110 candidates. Does anybody know what is the SAT/ACT scores you would have to be nominated? His is 1600( M/CR).

It would have to be very close to 36 or 1600 for there to be only 3900 candidates nationwide. I think that something like 1600 or so students in 2014 got perfect scores on ACT or SAT

I don’t believe test scores are the only way to be included. Looking at the list if candidates at my D school, only one person is listed and their score was not the highest nor close to it. I believe you can also be nominated. Her and 2 classmates had ACT 35 and we’re not selected.

My son received the letter today as well. He did get a 36 on ACT and we were under the impression they were chose for perfect or near perfect ACT or SAT scores. I consider it quite an honor that he was selected out of 3.2 million seniors. (as the letter stated) and even though there are no scholarship, the trip to DC and all it includes is an adventure your child would never forget. Also, I’ve heard that even though its too late to put on college apps. that colleges are already aware based on your test scores, if you would be selected.

The candidates are chosen purely by high test score but that test score varies by state. I think it’s the top 30 scorers including numerous ties. In some states that means a perfect score on the SAT or ACT but in other states there is more leeway.

Our State has about 110 candidates. I read somewhere that they chose the top 20 each men and women. We probably have lots of ties…

Received a nomination letter yesterday; is there any way to notify colleges that I’ve already applied to that I am a candidate? Would it be worthwhile to do so?

In addition, each Chief State School Officer (CSSO) may nominate five male and five female candidates based on their outstanding scholarship, residing in the CSSO’s jurisdiction.

Pulled this off the website… Just didn’t want people confused if a student at their school had lower scores. Test scores are one way and nomination is the other. The student at my D school, one of her close friends, is definitely deserving of a nomination. He is a stellar young man. Congratulations to all the high stats who were selected, richly deserved! As parents, we should be proud, this is a crazy competitive year!

You can be nominated by someone in your state, or you can have near perfect SAT or ACT scores (I think the top 20 boys and the top 20 girls in your state, but can be more), or you can be nominated by the National YoungArts Foundation (Presidential Scholars in the Arts). My older D was nominated based on her ACT score; my younger D was nominated by YoungArts. It was kind of cool, but as someone mentioned, it all happens after applications are due, and there’s no money involved.

@tswens
You can email the updates to your college. Worth it or not I am not sure.

My question is if it’s the top 20 boys and top 20 girls, why some State has more than 100.
I am not aware of my S school nominated him but his test score was perfect.
Even if the Scholar doesnt have money attached but it’s worth the experience. Tough competition though.

I believe it is by SAT or ACT scores only. For SAT, it should be 1590 M+R. For ACT, 36 is needed.

What do you a couple of you mean " received after all applications are due"? Each candidate has until Feb 26 to finish application to advance.

@KunjiBoy, some colleges and universities have a January 1 or January 15 application deadline, and a scholarship deadline of Feb. 1 or March 1.

My daughter got this letter today. Even if she goes no further than the candidate level, it’s a neat thing and we are all excited. This is the season when the past (nearly) four years of blood, sweat, and tears pay off.

@HeliMom74 ahh, you mean in order to list this award or nomination on college apps. If that is what was meant, I agree that it’s kind of a bummer.

@KunjiBoy, yes. It’s certainly not too late for ALL apps, though.

I just spoke with a candidate that was actually chosen as an official Presidential Scholar a year or two ago. He said that it was completely worth it, even if it doesn’t include any money. Just think about it this way: if you calculate that only ~3500 students are chosen out of 3.2 million students applying, you’ll realize that nominees are the top 0.1% of the country. That’s definitely something you should be proud of! Some other advice: definitely notify the colleges you are applying to about being nominated; it definitely helps and obviously can’t hurt. Never assume that they know. Also, about the selection process: there are numerous factors they take into consideration. First, almost perfect/perfect test scores, GPA, class rank. Next, nomination by principal/headmaster, etc. Some are nominated by YoungArts (I think that’s what it is called). More advice: get started as soon as possible, and really try to sell yourself. If you are selected as an official Presidential Scholar, you can probably walk into any college you want to. There’s more, but to all who were selected/whose children were selected, congrats and good luck!