Anybody have the scoop on the Harvey S. Mudd Merit Award?

sunnyholiday · 09-25-2009, 09:43 PM

This year the requirements for the $10,000 per year Harvey S. Mudd Merit Award say only:

Quote:

Harvey S. Mudd Scholars receive a $40,000 Scholarship distributed annually in the amount of $10,000 per year. For the entering class of 2010, the award will be offered to the top students in the admitted pool who demonstrate superior academic achievement and ability to contribute to the college community.

This is a change from previous years, which said:

Quote:

Recipients of this academic award will have the following credentials:
SAT Critical Reading Score: 700 or above
SAT Writing Score: 700 or above
SAT Math Score: 750 or above
SAT Math 2 Subject Exam Score: 750 or above
High School Class Rank: Top 10%

Does anyone know whether it is going to be a lot harder to get this award, and what prompted the change?

Blackroses216 · 09-25-2009, 10:25 PM

Yeahhhh this is what i was wondering too!!

I was like yeah, I'll go to Harvey Mudd over Berkeley if I get those scores for the scholarship.. and then it was gone! I was like what the efff... haha

Anyway, I don't know. I'm guessing maybe because of the economy? I believe they get their scholarships from donations... so...

colorado_mom · 09-27-2009, 11:11 PM

When we visisted Harvey Mudd last spring, they mentioned that the merit scholarships would no longer be based on the stat rules. They explained that the rules were a disadvantage in some cases, such as a super star at a magnet school who is not quite in top 10%. But I imagine it also gives them more flexibilty if the endowment funds go down.

GeekMom63 · 09-29-2009, 11:07 AM

They told us that they expected to give the same number of the scholarships, but would have the flexibility to choose beyond the specified scores.

Seiken · 09-30-2009, 12:48 PM

Basically there were a number of people who fell through the cracks with the old criteria. One student that come to mind was not eligible because he graduated with a class of 7 students, making it impossible to be top 10%. Of course, homeschooled students as well got the shaft.

BicoastalMamma · 09-30-2009, 11:08 PM

Run, run from Harvey Mudd. My child is a freshman and I think he will flunk out. He studies nonstop. Many students went to much better high schools than he did. He was a 3.99 students good scores, but an inner city high school did not prepare. The professors could care less. I have been crying nonstop. He turned down many full scholarships to go to Mudd. Now his life will be ruined and he will never graduate college.
What happens if you flunk out of college?

eg1 · 10-01-2009, 12:23 AM

I have a friend who flunked out of college. Worked for a while. Went back to college at a different school (went from a top private to a state school). Did very well there and is now an MD and runs her own medical practice. So...it's not the end of the world. It is upsetting, but he is at one of the toughest schools in the country, and other schools will realize that. I would think many schools would still consider him a desirable prospective student.

azalia · 10-01-2009, 04:33 PM

BicoastalMama don't dispair. Give it some time. All the freshmen work like dogs (the workload is really heavy), and it can be overwhelming in the beginning. There is lots of support from other students and tutors, etc. And not all the students there went to super math and science magnet schools. My son didn't. There is a reason that first semester is pass/fail. It gives the students time to find their way. And there is no grade inflation, so what may seem like a low grade to someone used to getting high marks all the time, turns out to be an ok grade at Harvey Mudd. (The joke I heard was "D is for done.")

BicoastalMamma · 10-01-2009, 07:55 PM

"F" is not for fine. He is working nonstop, but he does not have the background you need for this school. When he flunks out, no one will let him in somewhere else. Assuming he has not died first from overwork and lack of sleep. When H1N1 hits, his immune system will probably be wasted. He gave up several full scholarship for this mess. Don't let your child go to Harvey Mudd unless your child is ready to teach college physics and calculus.

fiona_ · 10-04-2009, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my roommate, who went to a 'decent' public HS with only 4 AP classes

Your son is not going to flunk out. Everyone here wants to help each other get through and we love this place. We're here because we love it and we knew the work was going to be hard. If he's truly having trouble getting homework done, he should talk to someone about time management. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to have friends, get enough sleep, and do all your homework.

*hugs to bicoastalmamma* It's only been a month, and the first few weeks are the hardest transition. He will be fine, but you need to encourage him and positive reinforcement <33

colorado_mom · 10-06-2009, 09:59 PM

BicoastalMamma - Smart kid are not used to asking for help. In fact, sometimes they don't know how because ... lol... they have had little practice. Encourage you son to ask for help from students and profs. Not sure if you heard the funny pitch at Mudd - first semester is pass/fail, but you can get pass+. Students who get two or more pass+ are sent the "get a life" letter encouraging them to have some fun too.

sunnyholiday · 10-07-2009, 12:28 PM

If Harvey Mudd is now giving the Harvey S. Mudd Merit Award to the "top 20%" of the admitted pool, and formerly they gave it to about 40% of the admitted students, that says to me that the award just got twice as hard to get.

I wonder what the criteria will be for who gets chosen and who gets left behind. Does anyone have any more clues? BTW, thanks to Blackroses, Coloradomom, Geekmom, and Seiken for trying to shed some light on this issue!

BicoastalMamma · 10-23-2009, 01:42 AM

He is flunking out. How does time management help when he is sick as a dog and the homework is nonstop, around the clock. The school is a nightmare. I hope he does not die from pneumonia. They throw him out when he asks for help.

BicoastalMamma · 10-23-2009, 01:43 AM

It is a horrible school. They take bright kids, destroy their spirits, destroy their health, destroy their record, destroy their confidence and probably destroy any chance of graduating from college.

sunnyholiday · 10-23-2009, 04:54 PM

@BicoastalMamma

I am sympathetic to the distress you seem to be experiencing. However, I am unsure what you hope to receive from other posters here. Others have suggested that you and your son request help from the school.

What can we do to help you?