On the season finale of The Scholar, the top five compete for the coveted full ride, $240,000 scholarship. The scholarship committee begins by conducting interviews with each of the five remaining contestants—Scot, Amari, Milana, Melissa, and Liz.

<img src=http://www.realityreel.com/images/nick_pic_spot.jpg align=left> By Nick Ciletti
Reality Reel Media
07.19.05

The contestants are asked such philosophical staples as “Living or dead, whom would you like to dine with and why?” Liz’s Angelina Jolie response was original and well-thought out, however the committee does not select her to be in the top three. Milana discusses her experience in stem cell research, but the committee passes on her also. Scot, Amari, and Melissa are selected to move on to the top three. Melissa’s interview is very heart-felt and genuine, and Amari shows poise and maturity in hers. Scot’s stumbles a great deal and is unable to get his main point across, which is why it is such a surprise that he is selected to be in the top three.

The gang heads back to the house where Davis is venting to Max. Davis still feels incredibly stupid after confusing centuries at the final admissions showdown. Liz and Milana are good sports and introduce the top three as they enter the frat-style house. For the final portion of the competition, each contestant in the top three must have another contestant deliver a speech about why he or she should be selected to receive the full ride scholarship. Melissa relies on long-time friend Milana, Amari chooses the eloquent Liz, and Scot, not having many friends at all on the show, is forced to pick Jeremy, who gladly accepts the role. Liz, Milana, and Jeremy all do excellent jobs at conveying why their candidates should be selected. After the speeches, a teacher of each member in the top three makes speech about the contestant in which they taught, which comes as a complete surprise.

The group loosens up during the last night of the competition and Melissa and Davis compete in a wrestling match. The next morning, the contestants attend a ceremony in which all of their parents attend. Liz and Milana are presented with their $50,000 scholarships, and the other contestants each receive a $20,000 scholarship. As the ceremony draws to a close, the top three hold hands and jitter in apprehension. After weeks of competition and studying and perseverance, Melissa is selected as the scholar who will receive a full ride scholarship. Stunned and ecstatic, Melissa embraces her fellow cast mates and her mother. During the final minutes of the show, each contestant gets a chance to recap his or experience and it also lists which college each will attend (most of which are Ivy League.) Congratulations to all contestants on The Scholar! May your futures be brighter than sequined Christmas gown from 1986!