Can anybody explain what are the perks of being a Scholar besides getting to go to Washington?
Congratulations to all those who made it. Irrespective of whether they made it or not, all the kids are amazing. So proud of the kids!
Not from Utah, but would say new ACT-SAT calibration made things harder for 35s. Last year the only SAT equivalent to a 36 was a 1600. This year it goes down to 1570.
S19 in CO has 36 (but 35-35-36-36) and did not make it. Lots of great competition out there! Congratulations to those who made it!
Friend got email today. I did not but I am on Candidate List on Website
I had 36 ACT, but friend had 35. Neither had perfect SAT. Cannot figure out how they select candidates
“I had 36 ACT, but friend had 35. Neither had perfect SAT. Cannot figure out how they select candidates”
They take the 20 boys and the 20 girls with the highest SAT and ACT scores in each state. In most states, more than 20 of each sex are selected because of ties. So, if you get a 1600 on the SAT, you are guaranteed to be a candidate no matter what state you are in. If you get a 36 on the ACT with a 36 on all four sections, you are also guaranteed to be a candidate. In many states, a 36 Composite ACT with less than 36 on all four sections will not make the cut. For example, my son scored a 36 C but got a 35 on one of the four sections (143 out of a possible 144 points). He didn’t make cut in NY. Bigbro - is your friend a different gender than you or do they live in a different state? That could explain why they made the cut and you did not.
Thanks. That certainly is possible but very few kids take the SAT in Utah. I think D did not release scores publicly so she sent in the info. Will see. 139 qualified in Utah last yr.
142 did not make the cut in TX. ?
Congrats to all who made cut. D missed by one point because they no longer use science (educationally biased) on ACT but still use SAT concordance based on complete ACT score …ughh. 106(act) 1540(sat) needed in Utah.
Thanks we both made cut, but she is a different gender and others with better scores than hers did not. Thanks for the explanation. Cut for female lower than males in our state
Spoke today (1-25) to the people who administer the program (in Minnesota?) They said there was some misunderstanding between them and Dept of Education which needs to be cleared up Monday when the government reopens, with possible changes to the list of candidates. They were told to use ACT Math, Reading and Writing, but not Science, while Education Department website says they use full ACT score. I was told to call back Monday for an update.
Please post what you find out. D missed by 1 point in Utah (science 36 not counted), I don’t want to bother program unless scoring is actually changed.
Also, could you please post the Educational Department website info that states the entire ACT will be used. I believe the entire ACT was used in past and I have already thought this change was odd.
I called the office to check on the cutoff for the states if any. The lady who picked up the call was super sweet. But she has not much info on this. They are waiting on the information from DoE. We can try calling them on Wednesday to find out more. Or, email them and hope that they respond on time.
It’s strange they consider highest score so one boy in our local district wasn’t selected as he only took SAT once and scored 1590 while other student took both ACT and SAT twice each and finally scored a perfect score in one test. One time test taker is way more accomplished but stupidity of the selection process picked someone else. As there is no money attached and you can’t add award to your college application in time, it’s not a big deal but still makes no sense.
It’s better to get National Merit where not only scholars but finalists and semi finalist get free rides to many colleges. However, to make basic cutoff you can take PSAT only once, to make basic US Presidential, you can take SAT/ACT as many times as it takes to score perfect.
Called back today. They confirmed with Dept of Ed. that they are using ONLY Math, Eng and Reading on the ACT, not Science. Also learned that to qualify in Maryland you need a 36 on all three (total 108), or 1590 on SAT. Ironically in DC, where son goes to school, you qualify with a 106 on ACT this year (which he has), but he is counted in Maryland (state of residence) not state of school, opposite to National Merit. They seemed quite willing to look up your state cutoff, so give em a call.
Called and looks like they need perfect 36 in all 3 in Texas for girls too.
My daughter is on the list and received an email and letter but I know nothing about this recognition! I understand that it is an honor for sure but just unsure of how much work is involved in competing for it. I read something about 16 hours is expected to complete - does anyone know how true that is? The trip to DC is in June and I am wondering if parents are also allowed to go or is it just supposed to be students? With graduation happening just before that for us and so much going on with college it actually might be tricky to fit the trip in but that would be silly to go through the work and then get awarded the honor but not go on the trip - right? Can anyone tell me more about the experience for the kids?
Can anybody shed light on whether there are any character limits in the “Part C. Activities and Work Experience” sections?