<p>fiker94:</p>
<p>Here’s what I do know about the US Dept. of Ed. Pres. Scholars Program.</p>
<p>1) Initial invitations to apply are based on students’ SAT or ACT scores from a single testing; no super-scoring. The applications are by invitation only and are extended to the highest 3,000 scoring students out of the approx. 2.8 million students who take either the SAT or ACT. This number includes some students who are eligible to apply under the fine arts designation. I don’t know how the fine arts portion works; my daughter was contacted b/c of her SAT scores.</p>
<p>2) Applications are mailed out at the end of Jan. and must be completed and returned by approx. Feb. 25 (I don’t know if it varies or not–that was this year’s deadline). The applications are somewhat lengthy, although much of the info. has already been organized during the college app. process. They ask for basic info. like address, SSN, HS, etc. Students must list activities and work experience, special talents, community activities, jobs held, and then write several essays. The essays include: candidate’s self-assessment–four essays with specific prompts; name the teacher or instructor who has influenced you most significantly…explain the reason for your selection; candidate essay–attach a photograph of something that or someone who has great significance to you. Explain the significance. There is also a form to be filled out by the guidance dept., a teacher or someone from the school admin.</p>
<p>3) Applicants are notified as to whether or not they are chosen as a semi-finalist at the beginning of April. My daughter received her notice on April 11 (she was fortunate enough to be in the pool of approx. 550 students who are semifinalists). At this stage, the semi-finalists are asked to submit a photo of themselves, yearbook bio and an optional mini essay which are needed for the yearbook they publish with the winners’ info. So, semi-finalists who are not winners still send these things in “just in case” so the US Dept. of Ed. can meet its publishing deadlines.</p>
<p>4) From the pool of semifinalists, I believe they choose 141 “winners”–I’m not 100% positive that it’s 141, but think so…</p>
<p>5) There is no money given to any of these students at any point in the competition. Winners do receive a medal. The winners and the teachers they choose as the most influential are invited to Wash. DC for a few days (around June 20-24) to participate in various “festivities”. This is an expense-paid trip.</p>
<p>Here’s a link [Presidential</a> Scholars Program: Eligibility](<a href=“http://www.ed.gov/programs/psp/eligibility.html]Presidential”>U.S. Presidential Scholars Program: Eligibility). Connected to this webpage, there are links to many more details about the program. </p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>