<p>Emerson is my favorite school right now, but I’ll only be able to go there if I get merit. I don’t think I’ll be qualified for financial aid because I live in a nice town and my dad has a stable job.</p>
<p>GPA as of this year: 3.53 out of 4.0.</p>
<p>Junior year grades:
AP English: A-
AP French: B+
Honors Pre-Calc: A
Chemistry: B
US History II: B+</p>
<p>Clubs:
School literary magazine (freshman-current)
Academic decathlon team (sophomore-current)
Drama club (freshman-current)
Jazz band (freshman, senior)
Pep band (sophomore-current)
Book club (junior-present)
National Honor Society (senior)</p>
<p>Awards:
Silver metal in Music category for Academic Decathlon
Play I participated in an in-school competition won
Acted in the Massachusetts states festival, we made it to finals
Acting award for the states festival play</p>
<p>Leadership roles:
Assistant fundraising chair for drama club (freshman-sophomore)
Fundraising chair for drama club (junior-senior)
Co-editor of school literary magazine (senior)
Helped favorite teacher start Book Club in school (junior-current)</p>
<p>Work:
I worked at one ice cream store from freshman-sophomore, and another from junior-current. Approximately 18 hours a week</p>
<p>Senior year classes:
Journalism (where I will write articles for the school newspaper)
School TV station
Creative writing / speech and debate
AP English
AP French
AP Psychology
Honors Calculus</p>
<p>I will be majoring in Creative Writing and maybe do a double major in Journalism.</p>
<p>Where you live geographically and having a parent with a job will not rule you out for financial aid! Families with incomes of 120K (or sometimes more) often qualify - it depends on a number of factors that the government comes up with. Make sure that you file the FAFSA form for financial aid - things you wouldn’t think of (like number of siblings, divorced parents, family business, etc.) can influence whether you can receive financial aid, even if you think you may not qualify.</p>
<p>I don’t know how Emerson really decides who gets some of its merit aid - but I think you have a really good chance of being accepted. Apply to the Honors College (work really hard on its application essays) - if accepted you will get a half-tuition scholarship. (Review the Honors Program App here: <a href=“http://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/HonorsProgramApp.pdf[/url]”>http://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/HonorsProgramApp.pdf</a>) The Honors College scholarship is the biggest scholarship listed on their site, and gives you an opportunity to put your writing skills to use!</p>
<p>You probably would not qualify for the Dean’s Scholarship, but there are the Emersonian Scholarships (“awarded to students who show high academic achievement, leadership, and involvement within their high school and community…$10,000 annual award”). </p>
<p>Recalculate your GPA in order to only include core academic classes (English, math, social studies, science, and foreign language) because this is what Emerson looks at rather than the GPA your school looks at. (Use this if you like: [Calculate</a> Your GPA](<a href=“http://www.back2college.com/gpa.htm]Calculate”>http://www.back2college.com/gpa.htm))</p>
<p>OK -my D really wants to get into Emerson Honors. Anyone out there who was accepted that can give an idea of “what it takes?”
I know it is very competitive.
She has over 4.00 GPA
ACT is on the cusp for what they say is “typical” for this program, but her writing option is 99th percentile (taking again)
Major acting work in arts HS and out
NHS
volunteer/internships/international experience…etc
Would love feedback!</p>
<p>@thtre12 Your D applying as a theater major? My D is in the theater program did not apply for the honors had a 3.95 and still was given 1/2 tuition scholarship (never said they would guarantee 4 yrs). She made the Deans list and got the same scholarship for sophomore year. Keeping my fingers crossed for junior & senior years!</p>
<p>newsdmrs
Thanks so much for posting. Yes, my D is applying for theatre and wants to be in the acting bfa (though I know this could change). I didn’t know the half tuition merit was available w/o applying for honors. Aside from the aid, my D is also interested in the honors seminars. I just keep hearing how very competitive it is.
Would love to know how your D’s experience has been so far. We were both very impressed with our visit and tour/info students. It is her top, top choice and we are planning to apply EA.
Just curious - did your D attend an arts high school?
thanks again</p>
<p>My D loves Emerson. Well, I do not know if the half tuition is all merit or has some need aid, they do not specify. D decided on BA, if you go BFA you are not allowed to minor. D went to a local Catholic high school, was in the drama club, and we have a local fine arts school run by the Dept. of Education, that she attended 4 to 7 pm 3 times a week for 4 yrs. Make sure your D prepares well for the audition. Also, they will ask questions about her decision on her monologue and probably about her as a person. My D did about 4 auditions prior to Emerson so she felt really good about it. Good luck! LMK if you have any other questions.</p>
<p>Thanks again. I’m most happy to hear that your D loves the school. We got such a wonderful vibe there we are hoping it is what it seems - the student theatre groups alone are amazing. As long as she is actively acting she is happy!</p>