Below you'll discover how we choose these outstanding students. Merit is demonstrated through leadership in school, civic and extracurricular activities, academic achievement, and motivation to serve and succeed. The first application seeks a record of the student's overall involvement in school and community affairs as well as academic success and employment.
Applications are available at the start of the academic year through school guidance counselors.
Semifinalists are notified and sent an expanded application in mid-December that requires detailed biographical data, an essay, a secondary school report and personal recommendations. Following the February 1 deadline, the Program Review Committee selects 250 Finalists. In the spring of each program year, Finalists attend the National Competition in Atlanta, convened by the Foundation at its expense, to determine recipients of each level of award. The National Selection Committee designates 50 Finalists as National Scholars and 200 Finalists as Regional Scholars.