Selection Criteria
Meredith Myers is interviewed by a faculty panel at the 2006 NSP Weekend.
Selection to the NSP is highly competitive. A successful candidate will present, through his or her written record, personal interview and participation in other National Scholars Weekend activities:
- a documented record of academic excellence, as reflected in SAT or ACT scores and the high school transcript,
- between 2000 and 2009, the nearly 400 finalists for the NSP have presented an average SAT of 1500 (verbal/critical reading and math) or an average ACT of 34, and a class rank in the top 1% (47% were ranked #1 in their high school class);
- a documented record of intellectual curiosity and engagement;
- a detailed record of the depth and significance of his or her most meaningful extra- and co-curricular activities, including leadership, service and research experiences;
- meaningful and thoughtful responses to essay and interview questions;
- outstanding and detailed letters of recommendation.
Due to the small size of the National Scholars Program, the Selection Committee must make difficult choices from among many highly qualified candidates at both the Finalist and Scholar stages of the process.
