GeminiMom

sunshine02 -- the candidates made the initial cut solely on the basis of high test scores. There is a rather extensive application involving essays, recommendations etc. that must be submitted by the deadline for candidates to receive future consideration.

Click on travismarie's link in the initial post and click on the FAQ section in the blue header box at the top for more information. Under "I wish to complete and submit the application in hard copy" there is a link to "download and print the forms online".

hippiecow

Does anyone know whether there is any financial reward involved? The application seems like a lot of work if all we get is a medal...

jussayin12

You guys...I've logged in and can't seem to find the essays and stuff. It only has my Signature and Control Forms...
Someone want to help me out? Do I need to finish these forms first before I get to the actual app?

314159265

Find a link titled something along the lines of "I want to download the forms and mail in a hard copy of my application." There, you'll find PDF versions of all the forms, including the essay prompts.

atlantanerd

The SAT qualifying score in GA is a 1580 and for the ACT the combined (add all individual scores) score must be a 141.

Good luck!!!

batfan

@atlantanerd, how do you know that?

newtron

Above responses can discount the experience my daughter had but her experience is indicative of the way in which the program misrepresents itself. It was not a prestigious honor for my daughter when in fact the program presented itself as such. There is no academic standard for some. I'm trying to warn you...it's not all it's cracked up to be. We were certainly prepared for the possibility that the prez wouldn't make an appearance but we were expecting a bit more than medallions passed out on a bus. Should your son or daughter have the same luck in roommates they will spend three nights in their delightful presence.
Good luck.

newtron

And in answer to a question and comment above: this is not a scholarship program and there is no monetary award involved.

littlepenguin

newtron - I hope you realize that those are arts scholars who are held to artistic standards which are just as rigorous, if not more so, than those of academic scholars. Those students have dedicated their lives to perfecting their craft and their style, and their work is worth noting, even if you might not agree with it.

Does anyone know whether tweaking or using parts of submitted college essays for some writing portions of the Presidential Scholars application would be looked down on?

newtron

@littlepenguin: Are you sure about that? The visual art presented in the Kennedy Center program was little more than doodles. There were maybe two performance pieces that were above the caliber of usual high school arts fare that we see in our greatly underfunded local and state high school arts programs.


In addition, I submit for your consideration the following direct quote from a letter I received from the executive director and the program manager of the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program:

Lastly, regarding the Smithsonian exhibition and the Kennedy Center
performance, we agree with you about keeping the content appropriate
for all ages. We were surprised with the National Foundation for Advance-
ment in the Arts’ writing selection choices and have already discussed
with them our disapproval of the inappropriate language in both
settings, even before our receipt of your letter. We feel strongly about
keeping these public events family-friendly and have firmly communicated
that offensive language will not be tolerated.


Apparently, the selection process for the arts scholars is not as rigorous as you imagine and/or the Scholars program itself has little influence over it.

And, of course, your little snowflake can rework previously submitted application essays. Who’s going to know? Who’s going to care?

If you make the trip to D.C., read the travel sites’ reviews of the recommended hotel…all of them.

@several snarly responders above: If I were to use – on this site - the language my daughter was subjected to continually throughout the weekend and the language that was used in arts pieces and arts performance during the recognition weekend, I would be censored. Apparently, there is some general understanding of what constitutes offensive public language as the quote from the letter from the Presidential Scholars leadership staff suggests as well.

oceanicole

Oh yeah, newtron, you convinced me. I'm one of few in my state that excelled enough on the ACT to be nominated, and I'm going to write it off because ONE student had ONE bad experience because her roommate was "crude."

1. Oh no, she was subjected to swearing! It was one weekend. In the grand scheme of things, I promise you, it is NOT a big deal. (By the way, 99% of teenagers swear. It's not like her roommate was shooting up heroin.)
2. Art is not "merely doodles." It actually takes a LOT of talent and I'd like to see you have the creativity and courage to defy societal norms and create something truly beautiful. I've been in enough art classes to know that it's not easy.
3. Oh no, typos on the list! I'm sure everything you've ever typed was just absolutely perfect.
4. A dirty hotel room in a city? That's unheard of! Wow, I feel SO sorry for you.
#firstworldproblems

batfan

To the other candidates: how do we know that our counselors have access to the online portion? PSP told me they could do it online and have login info...There was no place for me to enter my counselor's email so I wanted to ask all of you before going to my counselor.

littlepenguin

batfan - my counselor received a letter from PSA with instructions to access her portion of the application

From the guidelines, I've gotten the impression that only the transcript must be mailed. But other parts of the guidelines say that the entire application must be mailed. Does anyone know which it is?

2yuexue

what can the the student and school do online? What has to be mailed?

collegemom3717

@newtron- your daughter must have finished her first semester of college by now. Where did she go, and how does she like it? (this is a genuine question, from another mom)