Humans of East: Emmett Liljegren

Senior Emmett Liljegren was chosen as one of only 4,500 finalists nationwide for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, a national program honoring high school seniors for their outstanding academic achievements. Applications are due Feb. 24, and Liljegren will find out if he received the award in April. Read below to hear about the application process and what the award means to him. 

What is the National Presidential Scholars program?

“You get nominated based on your academics, and for me I was just nominated to apply. Then you apply and if you get in you get to go get a medal at the White House and there’s a ceremony that you go to.”

How did you find out about the program?

“I didn’t know what it was, and then I just got a letter in my email telling me to apply.”

What’s the application process like?

“I’m still working on it, but it’s a total of eight essays, a teacher recommendation and a counselor recommendation. It’s pretty typical college application prompts like about what you want to do with your future and what is a struggle you’ve overcome.”

What are they looking at to have you become a finalist?

“I think they are looking at grades and test scores for academics. But then they’re also looking at extracurriculars, involvement, volunteering and my essays.”

What does a full day of school and extracurriculars look like for you?

“Right now, I usually go to school and do my homework, and then I’ll go to theater. And I also work at Starbucks, so I’ll go to work after that. I’m also taking four AP classes this year.”

What are your goals for college?

“I want to be a biochemical researcher or a doctor. I haven’t decided yet, but I’m really interested in biochemistry.” 

What does getting the award mean to you?

“It’s a cool recognition of all the work that I did to prepare for my standardized tests and my grades. I think receiving it would be amazing, I wouldn’t even know how to describe it.”