What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Presidential Scholars Program?

Each year roughly three million students graduate from high school in the United States. Only 161 become US Presidential Scholars.

The Presidential Scholars Program recognizes the academic excellence of the nation's top seniors. In 1979, the program included students in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, they added students from the career and technical education fields. 

Students selected demonstrate distinguished academic excellence and impeccable scientific and artistic ability.

The Selection Process

The selection process utilizes varying credentialing processes. We will discuss each of them below: 

Academic Excellence

The selection process evaluates student SAT and ACT scores. The commission selects approximately 4,000 students based on their outstanding achievements. Students who elect to not share their test scores to outside agencies are not eligible. 

Each state ranks SAT and ACT scores from high to low. The top 20 male and female students are selected from each state. This also includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and families living abroad. 

An independent committee of educators evaluates the candidates on academic excellence, personal characteristics, leadership qualities, and community service.

Arts Excellence

Candidates who register with the YoungArts™Program are eligible to become a Presidential Scholar. It is a national program that recognizes the artistic talent of students. A panel evaluates materials from ten different disciplines: 

• Cinematic Arts
• Dance
• Jazz
• Music
• Photography
• Theater
• Visual Arts
• Design
• Voice
• Writing

150 applicants measure against standards of excellence rather than against one another. Candidates send in recordings, audiotapes, or other files to showcase their artistic talent. After much deliberation, this list shortens to 20 Presidential Scholars for the Arts. 

Career and Technical Education Excellence

The Chief State School Officer (CSSO) nominates students who show amazing achievements in career and technical education. They may nominate five students. 

A national committee widdles the list down to 60 semifinalists. After that, the Commission of Presidential Scholars makes the decision for the final 20 US Presidential Scholars. 

Student Essays Play a Significant Role in Final Decisions

The most crucial hurdle for candidates is their essay. The essay is the deciding factor for evaluating the list of exceptional scholars. 

Their ability to tell a unique story is a major qualifying factor in the deciding process. 

In their essays, candidates sometimes expound on their future interests. They may share where their drive comes from. Additionally, they may connect it to their lineage.

This was exactly the case for one scholar nominated in 2013. In it, she spoke about her love of space physics that she attributed to her grandfather. 

What Makes the US Presidential Scholars Program Different

Unlike many other programs, the US Presidential Scholars program is by invitation only. National winners are one of only two from their states to win (with the exception of Arts winners and CTE winners). 

To even be invited you must earn a nearly perfect score on the SAT or ACT, which in itself is a real honor. The list that starts at 4,000 students nationally is widdled down to only 161 truly amazing scholars from around the United States. 

These students are provided the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C. where they meet the president and other distinguished guests. On top of that, the candidates themselves get to meet one another at the nation's capital and celebrate each other. 

The US Presidential Scholars Program is one of the top honors a high school senior can achieve. Becoming a Presidential Scholar certainly opens doors for your future. 

More Than Just an Academic Award

Becoming a Presidential Scholar is more than just achieving good grades. It is about being a leader, role model, and active member in the community through personal service. 

While a 2400 SAT score doesn't hurt to be nominated, it is not the only thing that matters. It is precisely this that makes the US Presidential Scholars Program different from other academic awards. 

Students selected are chosen based on criteria that go far beyond just personal academic excellence. Candidates who are selected often have more than just a high GPA and SAT scores. They have a well-rounded educational mindset focused around being a leader, a team player, a role model, and a person of service to the community. 

US Presidential Scholars Are Future Leaders

Presidential Scholars have become professors, doctors, politicians, and more. If you look at the stories of past Presidential Scholars you'll see a tapestry of leaders who are changing lives. 

From Poet Lauriets to U.S. Judges to scientific visionaries you'll find Presidential Scholars making a difference.

Not surprisingly, Presidential Scholars come from all walks of life. Jack Wolfgramm became a US Presidential Scholar in 2015. He grew up in a small town in Hawaii, and was homeschooled. Yet, he found a welcoming community of high achieving scholars. You can read about Jack's story here. 

In 2014, the US Presidential Scholars Program celebrated its 50th anniversary. There is now a concerted effort to bring past and present scholars together through organizations like the Presidential Scholars Foundation and Alumni. 

Join Other Like-Minded High-Achieving Students 

Whether you are one of the next US Presidential Scholars for your state or not, you can still join a group of like-minded high-achieving students from across the United States. 

An Honor Society membership offers many benefits including, college and career assistance, scholarship opportunities, and a whole host of other member benefits including discounts on healthcare, restaurants, and other educational resources.  

For more information about our program, please read our blog for more information on why joining the Honor Society is right for you.