COLUMBUS -- Topping Randi Winenger's list of possible universities were some of the best institutions of higher education in the Midwest. She and her twin sister, Robin, had applied and been accepted to Ohio State, Northwestern, Purdue, the University of Michigan and Michigan State before making the decision to become Buckeyes.

Both Randi and Robin Winenger, graduates of Westerville North High School, were awarded academic scholarships from Ohio State. Randi received a Presidential Scholarship currently valued at $51,604 for four years, and Robin received a Medalist Scholarship currently valued at $16,548 for four years.

"We always knew that we wanted to go to the same school," said Randi Winenger. "And OSU was pretty high up in the running anyway, even without the scholarship, because I am really undecided about my major. I definitely think OSU's going to fit me perfectly. It's definitely the best place for me to go."

Randi is leaning toward a career in the medical field, possibly physical therapy or pharmacy. Robin plans to become a veterinarian.

Being at Ohio State, Randi said, also will give her the opportunity to go away to college, without being too far away; be as active as she can both socially and academically; and decide which direction she wants to take her life. "It's going to both exciting and a challenge."

The Winengers competed for their high-level scholarships last February in Ohio State's University Scholar Maximus Competition. The competition is one way of encouraging top high school seniors to take a good look at Ohio State and all the opportunities it has to offer them, said Nina Hoppes, assistant director of the University Honors & Scholars Center. Since the competition's inception in 1991, 880 students have accepted Maximus Scholarships and enrolled in the university.

All applicants for freshman admission who are in the top 3 percent of their high school class and have ACT scores of 29 or higher are named University Scholars. This distinction, given to 1,400 students this year, entitles them to $6,000 over four years, as well as an invitation to increase the value of that scholarship by participating in the Maximus competition.

This year, 1,100 students chose to participate in the competition, which offers 120 higher-level scholarships, including 10 Presidential Scholarships, 30 Medalist Scholarships and 80 Tradition Scholarships (Traditions are currently valued at $8,274 for four years).

"These students come to Ohio State with strong academic backgrounds and high expectations," Hoppes said. "They are looking at some of the most prestigious and selective institutions in the country. But once they set foot on campus, meet our faculty and staff at the Honors & Scholars Center, and get a sense of what the college experience will be, they feel right at home. And many make the decision to enroll in the fall."

Jonathan Witmer, a graduate of Bay High School near Cleveland and a 2000-2001 Tradition Scholar, said the time he spent on the university's Columbus campus during the competition bolstered his decision to come to Ohio State.

"The information we received at the competition was more geared toward honors students than what I learned at an earlier campus visit," Witmer said. "During one of the meals, there were faculty walking around from table to table meeting students and asking what they were interested in. It definitely made me feel like more part of this thing -- Ohio State just felt right."

Kate Swillinger, a graduate of Centerville High School in southwestern Ohio and a 2000-2001 Tradition Scholar, agrees with Witmer. "It helped me decide on Ohio State -- the only in-state school I was considering."

The decision to attend Ohio State was already made before Alissa Gilbert, a graduate of Lake High School in Uniontown and a 2000-2001 Presidential Scholar, participated in the competition.

"It was basically the only place I wanted to go," said Gilbert, whose older sister attends Ohio State. "But coming here again was nice. We met an astronomy professor, who actually knew my sister, as well as other faculty members who were there. It was nice to see that they actually care about the students. It really made Ohio State seem smaller."

Hoppes said she and the other Honors & Scholars staff are very excited about getting to know the incoming Maximus Scholars, who hail from as far away as Lake Forest, Calif., and helping them realize their potential at Ohio State. "They will add great things to this university, and this university will give great things to them."

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Editor's note: A listing of all the scholarship recipients will be sent to hometown newspapers.