<p>@gavame: i am asian and i live in Riverside. There is a hispani student iny school who also got the scholarship,but i haven’t heard anythibng from gms. Like many others who are still waiting, i can’t make my college decision because i don’t know whether i got the scholarship or not. I have to choose between duke and ucla/cal. i am very nervous!!!</p>
<p>@lasierra2011, same here. I have the options of Duke/NYU…but like you and many others, can’t pick because I don’t know if I am a scholar or not. The fact that one hispanic student from your school is a scholar is really discouraging, because I live about 20 mins away from your area, maybe even less. I am about to call them and ask them what is up…seriously, we don’t deserve this.</p>
<p>Got my rejection letter today! Asian from norcal</p>
<p>Is there a way I can appeal ?</p>
<p>rejection here
hispanic from tx</p>
<p>rejection letter received today, asian from socal</p>
<p>rejected…asian from so cal :/</p>
<p>With everybody in CA saying they got their rejection letters today I’m starting to think that I didn’t get it either… Dx</p>
<p>@gavame:if you call and get any update can you please post it here.
@alainwin and shsrebel21: could you please tell me where in socal are you located? i just want to know what areas have been covered.</p>
<p>yup…rejection here as well. :(</p>
<p>rejected. I’m Asian and iive in Dallas</p>
<p>Got my rejection today… it was like Stanford all over again they get your hopes up then crush them… well there goes my hopes of transferring to UC Berkeley later =[ I just hate how natives only get 150 scholarships that’s so unfair!</p>
<p>Hispanic from NC: Rejected. Ironically my GMS letter had a chunk missing from it and was enclosed in a plastic bag with an apology from the Postal Service. hahaha</p>
<p>I received my package Monday stating that I was awarded the Gates Scholarship. I am a Native American from Montana.</p>
<p>My daughter received her rejection letter today…it was quite a let down for the whole family. She basically gave up her whole summer to prepare for this and her whole Christmas break. I think as a parent and speaking for other youth who were chosen as semifinalists and did not get chosen, that GMS method of notification needs to be changed, and they need to have a little more sensitivity for young people. I noticed the rejection letter came in bulk mail, so that is why it took so long arriving, and the acceptance mail came 1st class and that is why it came right away. I also feel if a person took that much time to submit all required documents and became a semifinalist they should at least advise them in what area they failed, so they could improve for further scholarships. I feel semi finalists round is not even necessary, and if you do have a semi finalist round invite them in for a personal interview and then make a decision, don’t make a decision of accept or reject from what is written on paper.</p>
<p>I thank God that we have a family that prays together, so we were able to pull through this and no this is not the end, but the opening to even a greater opportunity. </p>
<p>And to all youths that were rejected, you will still reach your destination, it just won’t be by that path, you may have to work a little harder to reach that star, but with determination and steadfast unmovable faith, you can conquer that mountain of high tuition, room and board, and books, but YOU WILL MAKE IT…DON’T GIVE UP PUSH FOR THE STARS. And when you reach your destination you will look back and say WOW! I MADE IT! and You will be able to help someone else get there because you made it. See with the GMS it would have been a straight path to the top with no bumps, but you were chosen to take a detour through the valley…it may be a rough ride…but stay on the path and you will have an awesome testimony.</p>
<p>@agiftoflove : that was very heart warming. I really thank God for people like you. It is really nice when we can encourge each other when hard times fall upon us :)</p>
<p>question for those who have received the scholarship: so the school i’m planning on attending spends a semester sophomore year abroad. would gates pay for the plane ticket?</p>
<p>is there a facebook group for this year’s scholars?</p>
<p>Yes there is. See one of the previous pages on here for the link. The date is close to April 18</p>
<p>@expectopatronum: I believe they have stated that they do not pay for study abroad.
@all who were rejected: Never give up on your dreams guys! You guys came a long way and you should be proud. Remember: Where there is a will, there is a way. Keep on pushing for other scholarships and I wish you guys the best of luck:) I’ll be praying for you guys…keep your dreams and aspirations alive!</p>