I submitted my application very close to the deadline. If I have yet to receive an interview, would I at least receive a rejection email? Or are they just going to ghost me lol
@celeste02Monique I don’t think they would ghost you. The information we have says they will be notifying candidates for interviews in December, January, and February. And, last year saw students being interviewed several weeks before the finalist weekend.
Until they send you an email saying otherwise, stay positive. You must be an incredible senior, or you wouldn’t have qualified to apply. I’ll keep thinking good thoughts for you. Enjoy your upcoming winter break!!
Those who have received invitations, when did you submit your applications?
For reference, I submitted my application the second-to-last week of November and was notified about an interview on December 6. I’m from the Austin area, though I was scheduled for an interview in Houston - they may only being doing Houston interviews this year? Can’t say for sure.
To those who haven’t received an email yet, good luck and don’t overthink it! I read through last year’s thread, and it seemed like they sent out invitations at different times without much apparent rhyme and reason.
Does the earlier you get mean you are a more qualified candidate? I got my email like a week after applying (day before December 1st). Does this mean I am more qualified or is this just arbitrary?
Well it’s been a long wait, but my son just heard that he’s been invited to an in-person interview in Houston at the end of January. We are from out of state, and he only heard about the scholarship a day or two before it was due, but he was able to get everything submitted just under the wire.
Very excited for him to have earned this opportunity. Now we have to figure out how to fly him (and 1 parent) to Houston for the 30-minute interview. The foundation graciously pays for our travel, but it’s still tough to coordinate.
Maybe it will all be worth it???
@PAAggie204 Congratulations and thank you for letting us know. My dtr is anxiously waiting for an invitation. This will give her hope that they are still sending out invites!
My son has just received an invitation to interview at the end of February! Not sure if this will be the last round of interview they are conducting but we are so grateful he has the opportunity to participate.
@Dalajosa , Congratulations! Will your son go to Houston for the interview like the January group?
Can someone provide guidance on what to expect during the interview in Houston?
How many scholarships are awarded each year?
@TXRunningMom Thank you! Yes, looks like all the interviews are being held in Houston this time around.
The Brockman Foundation is flying me and my son (under 18 years old) to Houston for an interview on February 1st. We are PA residents - so we are all very honored and flattered that the Foundation would assume this expense for him to be considered.
As for guidance on what to expect: I would say typical interview stuff…what have you done?, what do you like to do?, what can you add to TAMU?, what are your goals?, etc.
My son has also been interviewing for appointment to US Service Academies, so this has been the typical line of interviewing with his militaty liaisons and congressional staff members.
One common thing you hear for advice on these interviews is: BE YOURSELF…don’t appear robotic or rehearsed. Ya’ gotta’ be able to think on your feet (while in a chair, hopefully).
Those who interviewed in the January 16 - 18 window, how did it go?
My son interviewed and he said he thought it went well. He said the questions were about what he expected, much of it related to his application. Looking at last year’s thread, seems like we may have what I’m sure will feel like a long wait now to hear about the next step!
Thanks for sharing. We’re heading down on February 1st (flying from PA). Leaving early Saturday morning and flying back late evening…
…and then the long, long wait. Son knows that it’s a huge reach, but he’s psyched to give it a shot!
Has anyone received an “early acceptance” for the Brockman Scholarship? Very second hand information, but I’ve heard of one student who has already been offered the scholarship based on their first interview last weekend. Sounds like they might be doing things differently this year. Please post your stats and acceptance when you get it! Good luck to all those awaiting their interviews!
Wow, that’s incredible! Great news for that student. Sure would relieve some anxiety :). Any idea when exactly they received the offer? I wonder if they will make more offers this week from the first round of interviews. Last year, did all the offers come on the same day after the Finalist Weekend?
Does anyone know more of the details (what extras are included or what they use as a Cost of Attendance) for Brockman Awards. Looking for a current scholar/parent that a friend could DM with as soon as possible.
@TXRunningMom My son interviewed and received an early acceptance offer. He had no idea that was coming. He is pretty much speechless and in shock right now but extremely thankful. It is an incredible blessing that was unexpected. I wish I could give fellow future interview applicants pointers but alas I cannot. All the kids my son met in Houston were amazing and talented in their own rights. We just told him the interview itself was an amazing opportunity and just to go into it being himself and that’s what he did :). I have no further details and want to be respectful of the Foundation and whatever process they are using to select applicants. The whole interview experience and meeting the Foundation staff made for a great day in Houston. Best of luck to all!
On the website, I see they are doing early acceptance offers; this is new this year. Students have 7 days to accept or decline the offer. So, everybody, be prepared if they make you an offer, you need to be able to make a decision even if you haven’t received college acceptances from other universities. This happened last year too. Rice and other schools didn’t release decisions till April 1st and some schools weren’t notifying of final scholarships til spring but students with Brockman offers had to make a decision to accept or decline the scholarship within the deadline. The website says you can be returned to the applicant pool but that sounds awfully risky to me. Not sure what to make of that. This is an outside foundation so they can do whatever they want in terms of setting deadlines. They do not have to wait till May 1 decision day or anything like that. Their money; their rules.
Also, for those considering offers, you might ask about (and then report back to this forum!) if they have firmed up their stance on what happens if you drop below the 3.5 GPA requirement. They have given the impression that students might have to pay the scholarship back-not just lose it but also pay it back. I know of two Brockman scholars who have major anxieties about dropping below the 3.5 because as they understand it, they may have to pay the scholarship back. Everything else is very strict about the scholarship so the vague wording of “may or may not” have to pay the scholarship back is worrisome for many. Maybe they have changed their stance this year but it is worth investigating because life can happen. Kids don’t need that kind of stress in their lives-just losing a scholarship is awful enough without having to pay it back.