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bumpyroad
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Posted: Sat Feb 9th, 2008 10:28 pm |
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My D has received an invitation for the Presidential Scholars program. She has asked me whether it's worth it to complete the application, since there's no money involved. She's feeling a little burned out after finishing her application essays, various scholarship essays, applying for summer jobs, etc.
As far as I can tell, this is an honor which is given after college admission is done, where the initial invite is purely based on SAT scores. You get a free trip to Washington and a visit with the President. We know a kid locally who got this last year - he got his name in the paper - and I know they made some kind of political point to GWB which caused a bit of a stir.
On a practical level, is this worth the trouble? A trip to DC and a meet and greet with the prez is kind of cool, but the real question is does it matter in the big picture? My inner nerd says any academic honor for my child is s good thing, but I'm not the one writing more essays.
Anyone have experience with Presidential Scholars? Does it open any doors? I expect my D will send in her app anyway because she's fairly driven by nature.
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jocelynDAD
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Posted: Sat Feb 9th, 2008 11:05 pm |
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Well unfortunately to me it would be with GWB, howsoever to a typical teenager it would be a fantastic experience.
Bill Clinton as a teenager was invited to DC to meet the President (whether it was as a Presidential Scholar or other group honor I am uncertain), however, he has a picture of himself shaking hands with JFK!
Future President meeting current President - way neat to my way of thinking and JFK 
Could your D be a future President?
Guess what I am saying it is a once in a lifetime event. 
Last edited on Sat Feb 9th, 2008 11:06 pm by jocelynDAD
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Wendy (wjb)
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| Joined: | Sun Mar 5th, 2006 |
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Posted: Mon Feb 11th, 2008 12:41 pm |
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| Bumpyroad: My son is also a PS candidate. Although the candidacy is based on SAT/ACT, the selection process for the finalists is based on the rest of the application, including all those essays. I understand that community service is highly valued in the selection process. My son has decided not to complete the application, and that's okay with me. We don't know any kids who have been Presidential Scholars, but from what I've read, the week in Washington is quite an exciting experience, even if you're not a fan of the current President!
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outwest
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| Joined: | Sun Mar 4th, 2007 |
| Location: | CA |
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Posted: Mon Feb 11th, 2008 04:15 pm |
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A week in Washington sounds pretty fun if she has never been there. If she has already seen Washington,DC then I don't think meeting GWB would be anything exciting, but the Smithsonian is. I think I'd leave it up to her. What are the chance of getting the trip?
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bumpyroad
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Posted: Mon Feb 11th, 2008 04:31 pm |
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She's ended up doing the application. I have no idea of her chances. They emphasize community service, which isn't really her strength - hopefully a broader view of community service which includes environmental research and outdoor leadership, rather than simple charity, would qualify her. Academically she's in pretty good shape.
I think she looks at it as kind of cool. And she's never been to DC, so there's a lot for her to see there.
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outwest
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Posted: Mon Feb 11th, 2008 04:36 pm |
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Good for her for completing one more essay.
I think every American should go to Washington DC once in their lives and see the Declaration of Independence under that bomb proof glass.
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Consolation
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| Joined: | Mon Apr 9th, 2007 |
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Posted: Tue Feb 12th, 2008 12:51 am |
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My S is a Presidential Scholar nominee also. I guess he is going to complete the application, since one of his teachers is doing the recommender portion. If he gets it, she will be the one he takes along to Washington. (To my mind, the opportunity to honor a teacher in that way is the best thing about it. Especially given the incumbent!)
I don't think his chances are great, since although he does do ongoing social service the "leadership/social service" portion of his resume is not as strong as some other parts.
On another front, he got the National Merit Finalist notification today. I'm searching for a remembered thread on the subject, because I have a question...
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riviera
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| Joined: | Tue Jan 30th, 2007 |
| Location: | California USA |
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Posted: Tue Feb 12th, 2008 02:32 pm |
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| My son has also decided to complete the application but he has not started yet as he had to work on 2 extra essays for UCLA. So I don't know if he will finish everything on time!
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bumpyroad
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Posted: Tue Feb 12th, 2008 02:36 pm |
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Unfortunately it's not just one more essay.
Here's hoping at least one of the kids here gets this. I like the idea of taking a teacher to DC, although I'm not sure my D has a single teacher she'd pick out of the whole group. Her mom's a teacher, so that's probably who she would go with.
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Consolation
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Posted: Thu May 1st, 2008 03:28 pm |
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I posted this elsewhere, but just refound this thread so I'll post again: S made it to the semifinalist round (6 kids in our state), but wasn't chosen as one of the final 2.
I frankly thought it was a real long shot and was surprised that he made it to the second round, since as I said above, "leadership/community service" wasn't the strongest portion of his resume. Oh well. It would have been a nice honor, but now he doesn't have to ponder what he might or might not say to the incumbent.
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