The Iowa Department of Education is seeking nominations for outstanding high school seniors for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars selection cycle. Nominations are encouraged for students who, while demonstrating outstanding scholarship, might not otherwise be nominated through the current SAT/ACT, arts or Career and Technical Education (CTE) recognition processes.
Students can be nominated through the Department’s online General Component Presidential Scholar Nomination form or the CTE Component Presidential Scholar Nomination form by Sept. 29.
Department Director McKenzie Snow will select up to 25 students (10 males, 10 females and five in the CTE category) to submit to the U.S. Presidential Scholar Program for consideration. The 2024 Presidential Scholars will be selected by the Commission on Presidential Scholars and will receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a ceremony in their honor in Washington, D.C. Reviewers will consider the following categories:
- Involvement and service (in school and community)
- Leadership and character
- Writing samples
- Academic achievements
- Discretionary points for extraordinary achievement, heavy workload, family responsibilities or obstacles overcome.
The CTE component of the program will honor students on the basis of outstanding scholarship and demonstrated ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Reviewers will consider the following categories:
- Mastery of technical skills
- Strength in teamwork, decision-making, and problem-solving
- Real-world application
Specific information to be included in each nomination is described on the Department’s General Component Presidential Scholar Nomination form and the CTE Component Presidential Scholar Nomination form. Nominations must be submitted no later than Sept. 29.
Read more about the Presidential Scholars Program.