Tonight, two Penn State students may hear the question, "Is that your final answer?"
Aaron Wynkoop (junior-biology) and Mike Markovich (senior-information sciences and technology) were chosen to be contestants on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire for the game show's "College Week."
Trisha Miller, a publicist for Who Wants to Be A Millionaire, said the taping of the show is today, and the week-long edition of "College Week" will be aired Nov. 20 to Nov. 24. Miller said there were auditions in New York, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh and Seattle.
Hopeful contestants must first pass a multiple-choice test before a short interview with one of the show's producers.
Wynkoop and Markovich had different experiences with the auditions. The auditions were not specifically for "College Week," and a varying degree of age groups was represented in the participants.
"I saw an advertisement on TV during [Who Wants To Be A Millionaire], and I went to the audition in New York City by myself. I didn't really expect to pass the test. I guess everything else just fell into place," Markovich said. "There were a lot of people there when I was auditioning. They were probably between 18 and 65 years old. After the test, a bunch of other people had to leave because they didn't pass the test."
Wynkoop's story was more spur of the moment.
"My brother asked me to go with him [to the audition]. I was just going to stand in line with him, but when I got to the front, I decided to just take the test," Wynkoop said.
"My brother didn't past the test, but he's really supportive of me. He's one of my lifelines," Wynkoop added.
Wynkoop said he didn't even have time to prepare for the test.
"I thought the test was interesting," Wynkoop said. "It was hard, but I wasn't really worried about it. I tried out the day before I took the MCATs."
Neither one has expectations as to what will happen to them once they are in the hot seat.
"I don't really have any set goal in mind, but the 25-thousand mark would be great," Markovich said. "I was telling everyone if I walk out with $100 I'd be happy."
Wynkoop said he hopes for a little more in winnings.
"I don't really have any goals. I just don't want to miss the first question because I would never live that down," Wynkopp said. "I have lots of school to pay for, so my money would go toward that. Med school tends to be pretty expensive, so I'll have to save some for that."
Miller said that there are 11 contestants chosen to be on "College Week."
"We intentionally book more students than we need because we need to make sure we have enough contestants to fill up the time slots," Miller said. "We choose the contestants at random to see who goes on the show. If all of the contestants for 'College Week' don't get on during the 'College Week,' then eventually they will be contestants on a regular episode of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire."

