<p>I am a African.</p>
<p>I give up on it now, it’s just giving me a headache and been SO stressful.</p>
<p>i had like a breakdown yesterday! i can’t even take this anymore!</p>
<p>Ant8904:
Well said, very articulately!
Good luck to you!</p>
<p>morangotango:
Try not to let it get you. A friend of mine who won Gates last year told me that the chances of winning are like one in a million. “Don’t even try to be upset” (even though it’s easier said than done). It’s about leadership, grades, and etc. I, unfortunately, didn’t start my “leadership” right off the bat in high school. I started when I was in 11th grade. Sometimes, it’s hard to realize the truth. Maybe this just isn’t our lucky year–or, we were never meant to win this.</p>
<p>Eventually we’ll all find solutions to pay for college, it’s just a matter of dealing with the situation now–the fact that we weren’t chosen due to–what? not enough leadership and AP courses? I was so upset the days after I found out people have already been notified of their status (finalists), but let’s face it. Why let this get to you so much? You KNOW you tried your best and you were honest in your applications. You did your best. Maybe Gates isn’t looking for students like us.</p>
<p>Try not to get so upset over this. I’ve realized that hey, it’s okay, I don’t need to feel down for the rests of my senior year or life just because I didn’t win Gates. We’ll just keep trying our best on the other scholarships. Anyways, it’s still bothering me a bit that I haven’t received any notifications yet… Haha… ^^"</p>
<p>Keep your chin up. Think of other positive things and all the colleges that you got accepted to. Those admissions people were at least able to see how special and good of a person you are. Eventually time will pass by and we’ll get over it. (easier said than done…haha…)</p>
<p>(sorry about this long post, everyone)</p>
<p>They’re still sending out notifications…</p>
<p>Just2Fitz:
lol…yeah…sorry :D</p>
<p>don’t give up until you have actually heard your decision</p>
<p>Again, good luck to everyone. <3</p>
<p>“Maybe GMS is only looking for students who take 869586975635 AP classes each year. I’ve only taken one (APUSH) last year and one (APES) this year, and also taking Honors courses. My friend who got selected for the second phase has been taking many AP classes and she has a higher GPA.”</p>
<p>I don’t think that’s exactly it. I’m only taking one AP and that’s the ONLY AP I’ve ever taken. Granted, it’s the only one my school offers, lol, but still. Honors courses are a different story, though. 3 per year? Something like that. Still, I think what makes or breaks it is what you’ve done with your time and resources, as well as your essays.</p>
<p>I agree Mouse…even though I was selected I still question how they are able to rank those applicants from smaller high schools who do not offer the same curriculum as the metro schools. Our school only offers one as well due to the number of students who opt to attend PSEO. Those of us who would rather complete our high school career as high school students are receiving a lesser education as a result of post secondary.</p>
<p>Oops! Sorry…that message was directed at Musechick’s response…not mouse</p>
<p>When I called GMS about notifications she (was kinda rude) told me if I haven’t heard by now then I probably didn’t get it.</p>
<p>Hey shawtysqrpants, don’t sweat it. I’m in a boring class, just perusing the messages, and I know that there are lots of scholarships out there, just keep lookin’, and a lot of them have deadlines in May and even June…so keep that head up. </p>
<p>As far as race goes, I am African, but I don’t know if that’s what made me a finalist. And anyway, who knows if I’ll get it just because of that…it’s all up in the air…</p>
<p>:)))</p>
<p>Does being african give you an advantage? I’m asking this because I’m also african.</p>
<p>Another question: what factors were used in selecting finalists? Were the essays and recommendations used or are they just going to start reading the finalists’ essays and recommendations? </p>
<p>I’ve always been under the impression that essays and recommendations were used to select finalists and then transcripts and financial need were taken into consideration while determining actual Gates Millennium Scholars.</p>
<p>That’s weird though, because I thought my application was really strong. I guess not. I’m definitely poor. Do you really think that the notifications are over?</p>
<p>“Does being african give you an advantage?”
- Yes and no. Yes because African-American is the largest minority group in GMS. No because you are not being pitch against an Asian student, but against other African students, therefore nobody gets any advantage.</p>
<p>“When I called GMS about notifications she (was kinda rude) told me if I haven’t heard by now then I probably didn’t get it.”
- Yeah, that is quite true. If you haven’t heard anything from GMS by now, you’re not going to make it. They always sent out for the admittees first, they’ll take their time with the rejects. It’s cruel I know. Two girls last year didn’t hear back from GMS until mid-April about their rejection from the FIRST ROUND!</p>
<p>Hey guys, I’m a GMS scholar. Any of you guys have questions? I remember being in your guys’ shoes exactly a year ago. I used to check this message board frequently. Don’t sweat it too much tho…</p>
<p>So, i haven’t got a notice yet… does that mean i have no hope?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>No, what is cruel is trying to pass ABSOLUTELY idle speculation for knowledge. The various offices of GMSP use separate and distinct notifications processes. The only truth is that letter notifications might not have reached every winner yet as they are still being processed.</p>
<p>rejection… well waiting that is… oh well better than those who didn’t even tried.</p>
<p>To Pimpin88,
How has your first year of being a Gates Scholar been? Is the scholarship program as great as you expected and does it cover the major college costs?
I made the second phase and I am praying that I am selected as a scholar. I really need this scholarship.
Thanks for any additional information.</p>