Congratulations!
i’m going to apply for a Dean’s list finalist award in 2024 season, honestly i’m terrified but really excited at the same time. It’s complicated to stay confident about yourself when you don’ know others’ projects and achievements, it’s just making me so anxious. How was your experience and all the process?
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You’ll find lots of helpful resources in this thread: Deans List Commonly Asked Questions and elsewhere on the forum. I recommend giving the sample questions from different folks a read.
I’m not sure exactly what you’re getting at surrounding other people’s projects. Dean’s List is an individual award. It is absolutely within the context of FIRST, your team, and the community, but it’s about the individual student more than anything else.
Keep in mind that students do not apply for the award directly. Mentors submit an essay about up to two students they want to nominate and then students are interviewed at their Regional or District event.
Each team has a different internal process: some will have mentors select students, others do some sort of voting/peer nomination, and some have an internal application process of some kind. Check with your team for how this process will be handled.
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Kira,
Be yourself.
Tell the stories that you care about most. Talk about things that make you excited and happy. Be genuine.
Don’t write a script.
Good luck!!!
-T
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I won Deans List in Michigan in 2022 and I fully believe the reason I was able to do so was because of my mindset of the conversation going into it.
First off, the biggest thing to keep in mind is that they are there for you! They are on your team, so don’t be afraid of the interviewers!
Second off, I looked at the conversation from the perspective of a politician. Every question you get, try and turn it into talking points about you that you want to highlight. The reason I call it a politicians perspective is because they tend to twist questions into what they want to talk about. Practice it!
Last but certainly not least is ask to introduce yourself!!! “Hello my name is FirstName LastName, would you mind if I started off by introducing myself?” It worked like a charm. I was able to pack in the biggest points I wanted to highlight in about 45 seconds and got the judges intrigued. I would highly suggest doing this mostly because it gives you the opportunity to be in control of what you are talking about for 30-60 seconds.
Overall, just have fun! It will be a great experience 
P.S. Don’t be in the bathroom when they announce the winners 
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Counter point (Dean’s List Finalist and many-time Dean’s List judge):
We have seven (7) minutes to get through Dean’s List interviews. Judges have already read your essay and picked out the initial questions they want to ask you before you walk through the door. Your 45-second introduction likely overlaps with content that will answer those questions.
Judges are trying to give students an equitable opportunity in the judging room and the question set is one component of that. By doing this self introduction, you’ve taken time away from a question judges wanted to ask you.
Many judges will ask you to introduce yourself and/or ask you at the end if you have anything to add. I’d personally recommend waiting for that opportunity to give your personal elevator pitch.
That said, when you enter the room, shake the judges’ hands—or just say hi—and absolutely give your name and team: “Hi, I’m Dean Kamen from team 1234 and I’m excited to be here!”
YMMV.
As someone who is currently going through the Dean’s List process (for FTC, ymmv), one of the pieces of advice I’ve been given by people (including a PNW FRC DCMPS Winner!) is to stay calm. Believe that you deserve this, and be YOU. Don’t play a part, and practice practice practice! It will help with the nerves 
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Also a valid point. I guess it is there is risk in losing time involved. It also depends on how well written your essay is
This sooooooooo much. At a certain point, you can only do so much to win the award. There are hundreds of qualified students, but at the end of the day, only a certain number can win. While all who win are deserving of the honor, not all who are deserving have the luck to win. Enjoy the process, relax in the interview, and remember what matters to you, why you do what you do. If you’re doing it for an award, you are doing it for the wrong reason.
With all of that being said, congratulations on being a Dean’s List Semi-Finalist – being nominated by the team is a huge deal, and still what I am most honored and find most meaningful from the process. Your team recognizes your leadership skills, and for that you should be proud.
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Hi,
Not a Dean’s List winner but Dean’s List finalist award winner from the 2020 LA north regional.
Here’s what I learned from that experience:
- Though it is an indescribable experience to be honored with an award, the most valuable thing of the whole process is the nomination and essay written by your team members. Being nominated by your team means you are making a true impact as a student on your team and community, which is the most important thing!
- Show your enthusiasm and passion for the things you do. You don’t only want to share information, but make others feel a bit of that what drives you to contribute to your team (this is true for any conversation within FIRST, and to outsiders).
- Enjoy the moment. A competition season will fly by and it’s important to gather some memories along the way (that was especially true being an international team member, so travelling across the world for competitions🙃)
Hope this helps, and congratulations on your nomination!
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I have quite a few resources for both the essay and interview prep at Dean's List Resources - Google Drive.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
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I was a Dean’s List Finalist at Worlds in Houston in 2019, and have since judged both FTC and FRC Dean’s List.
My BIGGEST piece of advice - TELL YOUR STORY. The judges have already read your essay, so try and add more to your story. Smile, cry, and really show your passion for what you’re doing. Connect with the judges, make them laugh.
It’s 1000% ok to be nervous - but use that energy to get excited and glow when you talk about your achievements.
Also, this interview is the time to brag about yourself - don’t downplay your skills, your importance to your team, or your projects.
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Ask your team members/mentors to do some mock interviews! You don’t want to step into the room and then blank out on things to say.
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Be yourself, never repeat yourself. Appear confident, but lower your arrogance as much as your confidence. Fit your happiness and excitement into your laughter when you speak. I hope you achieve a result that makes you happy. We are already looking forward to your success! 
@jaredhk @ThomasG @steggs85 @bigbossg13 @iz_en_zi @RensKappert4481 @Joy4201 @RyleeL @Aaron_Li @keremkarakas
Thank you thank you thank you for your resources, tips, and advice. Because of all of you, I managed to win Dean’s List at the FiT Katy District event this weekend! 
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Congratulations! Best of luck at DCMP!
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Congrats!
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Congratulations! Best of luck at DCMP!
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Happy to know that, congrats!
Best luck at DCMP🦁
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