<p>Ok… I’m sort of confused/antsy. My school is having some kind of ceremony for the finalists for the scholarship. But the thing is she only invited 3 out of the 5 finalists from our school. So I’m thinking that if it was just for the finalists and not the scholars, wouldn’t she just invite everyone? I don’t want to get my hopes up but its kind of a big deal that I know if I get it or not. Can someone give some advice on the situation?</p>
<p>Hey at least your school is celebrating that you’re a finalist.
I’m the only one from my school, but not many people seem to care.</p>
<p>She probably forgot or doesn’t know about the other two finalists; she can’t know anything yet, so it’s probably just a mistake.
:)</p>
<p>So the results cone out April 15th? I called today but no one answered, I left a message though. Anyone know how much money each person should expect to win?</p>
<p>This is all speculation of course, based off of last year’s dates.</p>
<p>yeah Javrie, the lady can’t possibly know before you. Even the nominator won’t know till you do also. That’s pretty crazy that 5 from your place are finalists. I’m the only one at my school.</p>
<p>Javrie, when is this ceremony?</p>
<p>From what I’ve read from last year post, people found out on the 16th and said that the packages were next-day mailed on the 15th. But they could change it this year. WHo knows? We could very well find out tomorrow.</p>
<p>The ceremony is tomorrow. I found out about it today.</p>
<p>It’s entirely possible that they get a list of Scholars and the ceremony is for that. I’d wager that that’s what it is. Were you invited?</p>
<p>I think it’s just for all the finalists because it’s very unlikely that the school knows before the scholars know.</p>
<p>Aaaa but I can’t wait tomorrow. I wish they’ll tell us tonight through emails… :(</p>
<p>Yes, two other finalists and I out of the 5 were invited. By the way, the lady that I guess orchestrated the whole thing is my principal, if that changes anything. She also told me to bring my parents.</p>
<p>I think the principal just didn’t know that there are two other finalists in her school LOL… Either ways, good luck… 
But I think it’s stupid that the ceremony is tomorrow since tomorrow is the day that they announce the scholars (supposedly). And why should there be a ceremony for Gates finalists/scholars?</p>
<p>Why don’t you go ahead and tell the principal that there are two other finalists beside you and your friend? And then ask her why she only invited three if she tells you that she knew there are other finalists but she only chose you guys. That would make it so much easier on you instead of guessing like this… :/</p>
<p>I’m so nervous, I really hope the mail comes tomorrow.
I checked past years’ threads on CC, and I didn’t look extremely closely so I’m not sure if this is 100% accurate, but it looks like the first acceptance letters (or whatever they’d be called) were received on these dates:</p>
<p>4/15/2005
4/10/2006
4/06/2007
3/31/2008
4/16/2009</p>
<p>So I’m really hoping we get something soon!! And that it IS NOT sent out on different dates by race or when you sent in your 5 required documents (that’d be even more stressful!) Although, I don’t think they would send out acceptances on different dates. Hopefully.</p>
<p>So I really hope (so many hopes haha) that they overnight mailed out the acceptance packages today. So we’d get it tomorrow.</p>
<p>The wait is driving me crazy! I wish we at least knew for sure what day it will come.</p>
<p>Okay I was reading over a few of the posts and decided some of the questions. Gates will cover any unmet need it WILL NOT cover family contributions. So if your family contribution is $5,000 Gates will not cover that. Even if you receive a 100% coverage you can still become a scholar. Easy way to find out if you’re a scholar is to look on the website because they post the list of scholars once they are announced. That’s kinda how I found out 
They do not solely select schoalrs based on gpa. If you read the application carefully it selects scholars based on their leadership potential, community service and honors and awards. That is why those sections of the application had a red astrisk by them they were the most important factors of the application. ACT scores are not considered in the application process. A rough estimation of how many applied for the scholarship would be about 25,000 give or take a few hundred. The list of the Scholars should be posted in a couple weeks and if you are on the list simply check your emails and if you don’t get an ID don’t freak out. It’s a long process to assign these things. Just simply call Gates and say your name was posted as a scholar and you wanted to verify that your ID and packet had been sent. If you don’t get a packet and your a scholar you just simply have to tell them you didn’t get it and they’ll send you the paper needed for your financial stuff. If selected a scholar you will receive a paper in the mail for your financial aid officer to fll out. This will determine how much money Gates has to send you. Mostly they will cover any loans you might’ve accepted and work study. You do not receive work study when you have Gates and all the schools are different about checks for personal expenses. Just work with your officer. Any other questions I will be happy to answer on post or PM.</p>
<p>@dakotayoung
Gates covers health insurance?</p>
<p>Does the Gates cover transportation costs?</p>
<p>Anyone receive anything yet? Does anyone know how those that are denied are notified?</p>
<p>has anyone received anything yet?</p>