As everyone is saying here, this is an easy and common request. Don’t worry too much about pre-gaming it: just explain what you would need to commit and that you’re happy to answer any questions. Do note what others are saying here, which is that it’s not about the amount of merit, it’s about the total cost after the merit. That’s what the school will look at as well.
If she is above the 75% of that college then yes. You can always call and ask a hypothetical. She is also compared to her school. If that score is a good score for her high school then yes again. I would still call as stated and bring up her score. That might just close the deal.
If submitting the score would get her an increased scholarship, do it! S was a tenth under the gpa requirement for an automatic scholarship, and his report card at year-end got him over the minimum. We contacted the school & they bumped him up to the larger scholarship. This was a state school. Often, state schools are hampered by rules set by their board, and there’s no wiggle room. But they don’t have an issue with automatic scholarships increasing when subsequent information shows that they qualify based on criteria.
Thank you all. We will contact them and see how it goes.
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Also, ask if they give any $ to students who fill out the FAFSA. Some schools give small housing or book grants to any student who fills it out.
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Is it normal for some schools to not have an unweighted GPA? I asked my daughter what hers was and she said they only have weighted. She’s taken plenty of dual credit and AP classes throughout her 4 years. She currently has a 4.89 GPA. But only a 1100 SAT score.
Most colleges will recalculate the GPA to suit their own criteria. So it depends on how they handle GPA calculations. If her school only offers weighted GPA, she doesn’t have an option. The college will probably unweight it and consider how many AP, IB, or honors classes appear in her transcript.
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It would benefit her to calculate her unweighted GPA in core courses only, on a 4 point scale, ignoring + and -. She should also ask her relative class rank, if the school doesn’t rank, or figure it out from the school profile.
Also, based on where she is applying she should calculate her GPA in each college’s way, if that info is known. For example the UCs.
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She is ranked #11 in her class of over 400. I’ll look for the other info. We’re going to call them and update them with her SAT score even though it’s lower than she wanted. Figure that it can’t hurt, I hope.
Depends on the school. If the 1100 is below the midpoint it won’t support more merit. Some schools may expect it to be above the 75%ile to maximize merit.
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75th percentile SAT score is 1080 at the school.
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Last night my daughter had to attend a large banquet with tons of community leaders to represent a local organization that she took place in last year and won Queen. While we were there a lady from the university that she wants to attend came up to speak with her. She remembered my daughter from the last event that took place a few months ago. This lady happens to be the Vice President of Enrollment Managment. She got to talking with my daughter and asked if she had committed to a school yet. My daughter told her no, that she is still weighing her options. We all talked for a good while and long story short she gave us her business card and told my daughter to email her directly with all her info and she was going to reevaluate her scholarship. We asked if they match other offers, she said no but can try to get her more aid. She’s been really impressed with my daughter and throughout the event she came by a few more times to speak with us. She even brought over some other people from the university to introduce them to my daughter and speak with us.
My daughter is going to put together her email this weekend and send it first thing Monday morning. Is there anything you all would recommend or not recommend to include? I’d like her to include all of her achievements, clubs that she is in, community services provided, etc. I’m pretty sure it’s a long shot if she will get more aide but I feel like this is as best of the situation to do so. Any more advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.
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I would keep the email short and sweet, but attach a resume.
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Quick question, there is one last school she would like to apply to that is local. Priority deadline was February 1st but they said she can still apply. Also states this “Please note that High School Transcripts must also be postmarked by February 1st to be eligible for the awards.” Is there a way she can get her transcripts still and have them postmarked by Feb 1st?
Time Machine? Sorry, just kidding. I assume if they say she can still apply then the grades postmark won’t matter. Are they on common app, and are her mid year grades in there?
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As stated short and sweet but… If this school is local which it sounds and they approached her with others then they will end up getting her more aid. Maybe a visit to the school is due? She can ask to shadow a student for the day or 1/2 a day,in her email. This shows interest. They want to help students that want to be there. If it’s financial then be honest. You don’t care what they call the free money. Aid /scholarship /grant /housing stipend. Free money =Good money 
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Thank you, she applied to the other local university and will see what happens. She’s planning on sending the email this evening to the lady and will see if it changes anything.
I have a copy of her transcripts. She is ranked 11 of 469. Weighted GPA is 4.89, unweighted is 3.71. The high school she attends is the largest of 5 in our ISD. Also considered the top in our area. Not sure of any of that counts but when the local president of our community college found out he was very impressed considering the school she attends.
Once again thank you all for the advice and help. I really do appreciate it.
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This is what I was telling you. If the school really likes your kid, they will make it happen. Awesome news! Good luck.
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