First named as Semi-finalists in January from a highly competitive pool of students in Texas who were selected to apply to the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Competition in the fall, Ruth and Brandon advanced to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and fulfilling several requirements that included submitting a detailed scholarship application and presenting a record of high academic performance.
Ruth was accepted to Cornell University where she was invited to participate in the prestigious Meinig Family Scholars Program, Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, Harvey Mudd College, and Washington University in St. Louis. She plans to study Biomedical Engineering at Duke University.
Brandon was accepted to Carnegie Mellon University, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Minnesota. Brandon will be studying in the directing program at Carnegie Mellon University's College of Fine Arts, the country's oldest degree-granting institution in drama.