Aaron Wynkoop has been keeping a $16,000 secret for almost a month.

But this past week, Wynkoop (junior-biology) finally got to talk about his experience on Who Wants to be a Millionaire's College Week. Although the show was taped at the end of October, Wynkoop's episode aired last Monday.

"I wasn't supposed to tell anyone how I did," Wynkoop said. "Luckily, my parents, one of my brothers and my girlfriend were there during the taping of the episode so they already knew how much I made."

Wynkoop said he was the first contestant to be put in the hot seat for the week.

"The people at the show put five mics on five random [contestants] and said that one of us would be the first person to go," Wynkoop said. "I wasn't sure what to do when I came out because I was the first person. I don't know why, but I was really nervous."

He added he enjoyed the experience.

"I didn't realize how much fun taping a TV show would actually be," Wynkoop said. "Winning money is obviously enjoyable, but the show was fun, and Meredith Vieira is as nice as she seems on TV. My parents have been TiVo-ing the episodes because I didn't get to watch them," Wynkoop said. "I had to do a promo afterward, and I only got to see part of the giggler who was on after me."

Wynkoop said he watched his episode several times with friends and family.

"The episode I was on aired three times, and I watched it all three times," Wynkoop said. "The first time I watched it I was really nervous. I watched the night episode with all of my friends and with my girlfriend."

Trisha Miller, a publicist for Who Wants to be a Millionaire, said they intentionally book more contestants than they need.

"If one person goes out on the first question, then we need to put someone in there quickly. If someone goes the whole way to a million, then obviously they take up more time." Miller said. "All together we booked 11 contestants and we played seven. The college students that didn't make it on had the opportunity to come back and film for a regular episode."

Mike Markovich (senior-information sciences and technology) was one of the four contestants that didn't make it on for College Week.

"Mike's episode was taped Oct. 27. It looks like it's going to be airing mid-February," Miller said.

Wynkoop has already decided what his $16,000 will go toward.

"Part of it will go toward studying abroad in England next semester, and then rent for next year and tuition," he said.