• High school graduate before July 1, 2009
• Between 17-24 years of age and no older than 24 years of age on December 31, 2010 (Miss America 2011).
• Never been married
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Want to earn scholarship dollars for college education
• Have a talent such as music, vocal, drama or dance
• Have a  platform or cause to promote
• Meet character requirements as set forth by the Miss America Organization
• Be able to meet the time commitment and job responsibility as set forth
• Promote and raise $100 for the Children’s Miracle Network by July 1,2009

   

Contestants in all Miss America preliminaries at the local and state level compete in five areas:

Contestants must participate in all phases of the competition. No exceptions

Talent - 35%

Skill; personality; interpretive ability; technical skill level - execution, technique, synchronization, stage presence, on-state personality, totality of all elements - including costume, props, voice, use of body and choreography.

Interview - 25%

Qualities and attributes of a Miss America; overall first impression; personal appearance; personality; intelligence; validated opinions; speech; vocabulary and grammar; responses to context; style; and emotional control.

Physical Fitness in Swimsuit - 15%

Statement of physical fitness and health; overall physique which is pleasing to her height, weight and bone structure; sense of attractiveness; technique - including walk, posture, grace; sense of confidence; and presence.

On-stage personality in evening wear - 20%

Sense of confidence; personality and stage presence; technique - including walk, posture; appropriateness of attire; sense of attractiveness.

On-stage Interview - 5%

Overall "first impression" response to on-stage questions; personality, beauty and a confident, commanding presence; independence and sense of "courage of her convictions"; eloquence of communications; sense of commitment as a role model.