ABC.com

 

The opportunity of a lifetime is about to come true for one of America's best and brightest high school students in an original, new, one-hour unscripted series that will give the winner a college education from a top-rated school of their choice. Filmed on location at the University of Southern California, The Scholar will be the first show ever to celebrate higher education as the ultimate American prize.

For the chance at a full ride to the college of their choice, ten qualified high school seniors from economically disadvantaged backgrounds -- who might not otherwise have an opportunity to attend one of America's top universities -- will compete for a full scholarship, a prize that could be worth as much as $240,000. They will have to demonstrate excellence in the areas of academics, leadership, creativity and community service, while facing sudden-death oral exams defending themselves to an Ivy League scholarship committee.

The Scholar contestants include:

Max C., Oakland, CA
Alyssa D., Yuba City, CA
Amari H., St. Charles, MO
Melissa H., Tarzana, CA
Davis L., Memphis, TN
Scot P., New Freedom, PA
Jerald T., Commerce, TX
Jeremy T., Westminster, CA
Liz W., Buhl, ID
Milana Z., Fresh Meadows, NY

The college scholarship will be donated by The Broad Foundation.

Hosted by Rob Nelson (The Rob Nelson Show, The Mole II), The Scholar was filmed in and around the Los Angeles-based campus of the University of Southern California.

The Scholar, produced by Bunim-Murray Productions, Martin/Stein and Carsey-Werner, is a concept based on an original idea by Jaye Pace, Shannon Meairs and Waxman Williams Entertainment. Steve Martin, Joan Stein, Jon Murray, Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner serve as executive producers.