Phases of Competition
Interview (25%)
Individual 10-minute interview with our panel of judges. There are typically 5 to 7 judges on a panel. Contestants are questioned on their background, educational and career goals, opinions on current events, social issues and pop culture, and their interests, hobbies and extracurricular activities. Contestants are judged on communication skills, the ability to convey her opinion, personality and confidence.
Talent (30%)
A 90-second routine of your own choosing. From vocal performance to ventriloquism, any solo act that demonstrates your ability to captivate an audience. Judges will look for a combination of skill, excitement and entertainment value.
Lifestyle & Fitness (10%)
Each contestant briefly appears on stage in a one- or two-piece swimsuit and footwear of her own choosing. Miss America began as a swimsuit contest on the Atlantic City Board Walk. Today, we use this phase of competition to evaluate your physical health and confidence.
Evening Wear (15%)
Each contestant appears on stage to briefly model a formal gown of your choosing. Contestants are judged on their sense of style, elegance, and the overall sense of joy they bring to their beauty.
On Stage Question (20%)
Contestants will be asked to answer a brief question relating to current events, the organization, or herself. Questions will be of a general nature and will be neither platform-related nor something taken directly from the private interview. The objective is to evaluate the contestant’s ability to think on her feet and answer a question of general interest to people her age, including, but not limited to, local, state and national current events.
