2. Dean’s List Session
In an effort to recognize the leadership and dedication of FIRST’s most outstanding FTC and FRC students, the Kamen family sponsors an Award for selected top students known as the FIRST Dean’s List. Since its introduction in 2010, the FIRST Dean’s List Award has attracted the attention of prestigious colleges and universities who desire to recruit FIRST Dean’s List students. Similar to the very prestigious National Merit Scholarship Award winners.

3. There are three (3) “categories” of FIRST Dean’s List Award students:
 1. FIRST Dean’s List Semi-Finalists
FIRST Dean’s List Semi-Finalists are the students nominated by each Team to compete for the FIRST Dean’s List Finalist spot 
2. FIRST Dean’s List Finalists
The students selected to be recognized at each State Championship that are in the running for the FIRST Dean’s List Winner spots.  
3. FIRST Dean’s List Winners
The group of 10 students who are the final selection for the Dean’s List Award at the FIRST World Championship.

4. Selection Criteria
Demonstrated leadership and commitment to the ideals of FIRST
Effectiveness at increasing awareness of FIRST in the school and community
Interest in and passion for a long-term commitment to FIRST
Overall individual contribution to their team
Technical expertise and passion
Entrepreneurship and creativity
Ability to motivate and lead fellow team members

5. Nominates for Dean’s List
Team Mentor or Coach
Team may choose one nominator
Up to 2 students from a team
10th or 11th grade students
Nominator must not be a relative
Nominations are through TIMS
FRC window is Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 12:00 PM, Noon (Eastern Time) and closes on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 3:00 PM (Eastern Time).
FTC is 14 days prior to a competition
Previous Nominees are eligible if they still meet the criteria
There will be a state contact person that will follow up with the mentor listed about competition for interview

6. Required Information for Submission
The student’s cumulative GPA; although the Dean’s List Award is not a strictly academic award, the GPA will be considered when determining the outstanding students.
Name & location of student’s high school.
Number of years the student has participated in FIRST.
Number of years student has participated on the team.
An essay of not more than 4,000 characters attesting to why the student has been nominated. Essays must be submitted by the deadline indicated in the TIMS submission portal. This date corresponds directly to the date of the event the mentor has selected for student interviews. The TIMS submission portal will stop accepting submissions 14 days prior to the FTC event the mentor has selected for student interviews.
Optional photograph is encouraged

7. Judging
Judges will review each submission prior to the selected event for interview.
Interview will be to a minimum of two judges and last 5-7 minutes
Every Semi-Finalist will be interviewed and will have a fair opportunity for selection
Two finalists for the state will be selected and announced at the State Championship Tournament for both FTC and FRC
Student may have an adult in the interview room for observation only
Interviewers will not be giving formal feedback to the nominee. Feedback can come for the adult team observer after the interview

8. State Dean’s List at Championship
No interviews will take place at FIRST Championship
State nominees do not need to be present to be selected at 2016 Championship
INFIRST will have a formal process for FRC
10 FRC FIRST Championship Dean’s List Finalist will be awarded at 2016 Championship
10 FTC FIRST Championship Dean’s List Finalist will be awarded at 2016 Championship

9. Questions?