I don’t qualify for financial aid, but I need to save for med school. I’ve done a ton of research about merit scholarships at UVA, W&M, and Rice (my top 3 schools as of now), and there are some amazing scholarships, but I don’t know how much of a chance I have at getting them. I’ve posted my stats below.
GPA: 4.0 UW, 4.4 W (could be higher once recalculated)
SAT: 1500
ACT: 35
Course load: Full IB student (shown below are all my AP/IB courses in chronological order)
-AP World History
-AP Government
-IB Math SL (two years, equivalent to pre-calc and calculus)
-AP Calc BC (this was part two of IB Math SL, but I took both exams)
-IB Philosophy SL
-IB English HL (2 years)
-IB Biology HL (2 years)
-IB History HL (extenuating circumstances, so I could take it one year)
-IB Psychology SL
-IB French HL (2 years)
-AP Statistics
-Theory of Knowledge
Extracurriculars:
-President/founder of a few music/medicine service organizations
-Captain and coach of LD debate team
-Volunteer at hospital
-Volunteer and later paid work at veterinary clinic
-Lots of musical activities (six instruments, competitive orchestras, university orchestra, chamber groups, some paid work)
-Some scientific research presented at state science fairs (only one semi-cool project)
-A few minor math competitions, did decently
Based on this (and assuming I’m capable of writing a decent essay), could someone help me understand my chances of getting the following scholarships?
UVA: Jefferson Scholarship, Echols Scholars
W&M: 1693 Scholars, Monroe Scholars
Rice: literally anything
Thank you!
Although your stats are great, competition for these scholarships is tough. In order to be a Jefferson Scholar you would have to me nominated. A HS can only nominate one or two individuals in each senior class so you would have to compete at your school for the nomination. Even with a nomination, less than 10% will become finalists who will be invited to Charlottesville for the Jefferson Scholarship Selection Weekend and from there only about 25% will receive the scholarship. So less than 2% of those who are nominated will receive the scholarship and even getting a nomination can be difficult. You are competing with the best of the best.
Your stats look like you would be competitive but I would venture to say that most students who are nominated will have similar stats. It is worth trying but chances are slim for any student.
@123Mom456 Yeah, that’s what I thought. I guess that means that if I want to have a real shot at this, I’ll have to practice interviews and write a few practice essays. Do you know much about the tests they have applicants take during the 5-day conference?
Sorry I am not familiar with the tests but I would say that you are probably a good test taker as your stats are great. I agree work on your essays and interview skills. Also talk to your GC and try to get some insight about what they are looking for in a nominee. It will help to express your interest in this to them. If you come from a highly competitive VA high school you want to make sure they know that this is something you want to be considered for.
Your stats are great and I know you will succeed in whatever you do. You are smart to be thinking about the cost of your undergraduate degree if you are thinking of med school.
@123Mom456 Thanks! I’ll definitely get in contact with my counselor about this, since I am from an extremely competitive VA school.
My daughter was a Jefferson Scholar nominee. She had her first interview and about a week later she was called back for a second interview. She did not make the last cut to come to Charlottesville.
The students who were interviewed were extremely impressive- my daughter told me she felt very inadequate compared to many of them. The interviews were casual. They were in somebody’s house- my daughter was in a room with about 4 interviewers and they basically had a conversation. They asked her about her classes, activities, future goals, etc. Her original essay had to do with some items that she keeps in her room.
Best of luck to you! You are a strong candidate… you may want to research some other schools in addition to the 3 you listed.
Can your parents afford in-state tuition to UVa and W&M?
Also look at the big merit scholarships at Richmond and W&L. They are probably easier to get than the big UVa and Rice ones.
You are competitive for a merit award from Rice. The good part about the Rice award process is that they do not require anything additional beyond your college application.
Have you established a budget? Do you know exactly what you need in terms of cost? IS at full price UVA or W&M may be less than Rice with scholarship $$. Is $30,000 doable? 20?? 12?? What is your budgetary goal?
If your goal is to be well under $20,000, apply to those as your reach schools and hope you are considered, but drop down in rankings and apply to lower ranked school to ensure greater probability (and even then, other than guaranteed scholarships, be prepared for tough competition for large $$ scholarships.) Make sure to add in some guaranteed scholarship schools.
@PurpleTitan
We can afford in-state tuition, and I know I’m going to apply to Richmond, but I know W&L isn’t a good fit for me. Thanks for letting me know about the merit aid! From what I’ve researched, it seems that 1 in 15 students get full tuition covered, which seems too good to be true!
@ScienceGirlMom That’s good to know! Although I do almost wish that Rice had an additional process for the scholarship because I could have an extra chance to show my abilities, but maybe it’s for the best that they’re keeping it simple!
@Mom2aphysicsgeek I do have a budget planned, though I am fortunate enough to have a good amount saved for education. I would like to use that money for my graduate school instead of undergraduate, since it seems harder to get graduate scholarships, so I’m trying to minimize the cost while retaining a high quality education. All of my choices so far, even the schools with guaranteed scholarships, have amazing educations, so I’m not worried about that!
^ Depends on what grad school.
You didn’t list your PSAT score… If you are a National Merit finalist, you have an opportunity for a full ride at a number of schools. Some of these have well-regarded honors colleges. In Virginia, VCU has a very substantial NMF scholarship and honors college with many benefits. Unfortunately, the schools you mentioned do not.
If you are not in a nominating school, you can be put in the “at-large” pool for the Jefferson, I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you. In fact, you shouldn’t hold your breath for any merit aid that isn’t automatic.
My D got full tuition scholarships at every nearly every school that offered them (or top merit aid at those that didn’t), including Rice, Vandy, U. Chicago, USC, Wash U. , etc. etc., but she also got into H, Y, P, and S, had top scores, stellar recs, strong ECs, wrote superb essays, and had shown resilience, passion, and a sense of humor. She also was a URM. Those are the kids that these schools are trying to attract. In general, you have to be prepared to go down a notch or two (or three) on the prestige scale for good merit. She did not get any $$ from UVA (wasn’t even a semifinalist). Wash U. and Vandy have separate applications for scholarships. One of the nice things about doing the scholarship apps is that it shows demonstrated interest and gives you a chance for them to get to know you a bit better. And places will sometimes fly you in for finalist “weekends” (which are really mid-week and fall at incredibly inconvenient times, ofter overlapping with each other…)
Just make sure you have some safeties – financial and academic. And good luck!