chance for merit money?

umcp11
Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:05:44 +0000

Merit money at MD is a huuuuge crap shoot.

Had a friend who got into three Ivies only get 1500/yr for two years. Somehow I got 5,000/4 yrs. Somehow people with equal or even worse stats than me got the Banneker Key (full tuition, room/board, allowance…haha).

Your GPA and courseload are in the ballpark for merit money. I’m assuming you’re taking more AP classes senior yr? It’s important that you don’t slack there.

Additionally, Eagle Scout is quite a boost and good to see sports and other ECs.

I think it will come down to what you are applying for (ex. engineering school known to give out a bit more money than, say, the English department) and how well they think your strengths tailor to what you are interested in. If you didn’t do the highest math then that might impact your chances for a scholarship if you are interested in engineering/comp sci/etc. If your essays are not literary genius and you want to be an English major, again that might decrease your chances. Also it will depend on how much effort you put into your app. Is it clear you just slacked it off and knew you’d get in, MD is just your safety/last resort? Then they’re gonna wanna offer money to somebody they think is actually considering MD as one of their top choices, shown most I think by effort you put into the app.

In the end I don’t think anyone can chance you for merit money due to all the variables, including the crapshoot one. I think chance posts are somewhat accurate in terms of letting people know whether a school is a match/safety/reach, but money is getting a little too specific. I believe you will get some. How much, hard to say. Could be anywhere from $1500/2 yrs to the full ride. I really can honestly say, knowing a lot of people with scholarships, that I’ve seen people with better stats than you get nothin and people with worse get the whole thing.