@2ne1islife Did you check back to your original, saved work and see if they match? I don’t have that issue.
Gates Finalist from Fort Lauderdale, Florida! Asian-American 
Congrats to everyone who’s made it thus far!!!
I am a Gates Finalist from Atlanta, Georgia and I am an Asian-American. Congrats to all the other finalists.
I just sent my Student Aid Report and College Acceptance Letter. Now I have to wait until Monday to talk to my counselor. B-)
African-American female from Georgia!! Congrats to all the finalists!!
Does anyone know exactly how the selection process is made after the finalists have been notified of their application status?
@CuteyBrown The only thing known for sure is that certain finalists are eliminated because they do not meet the GPA and/or Pell Grant criteria, or because they simply fail to submit their required documents by the deadline. After that, it is pure speculation about the exact process used to select the Scholars within each racial/ethnic group. There will be 350 African American and 350 Hispanic Scholars, and 150 each in the Native American and Asian and Pacific Islander American categories. My guess is that it’s similar to the holistic process used to select the freshman class at Stanford or one of the Ivies, with multiple factors considered, including gender balance and geographic distribution. There is bound to be a subjective element involved. Since there is nothing further that a finalist can do to influence the outcome, other than make sure they submit their documents on time, I personally think it is pointless and even harmful to focus on the selection process. You will hear rumors that may or may not be accurate. Invest your time and energy in applying for other scholarships and enjoying the final few months of your senior year.
@northernAZ Thanks for the advice. Also, do you happen to know how the counselors at my school are supposed to send the additional documents needed for the next phase of the application (Cumulative Unweighted GPA Form, Optional HS Profile Form, and HS Mid-Year Transcript)?
@CuteyBrown Your counselor should email the forms to the email provided in the finalist letter and email.
Finalist from Texas! Congratulations to everyone who was nominated!
My institution changed from Texas Woman’s University to Brumbaugh, Feyten, Jackson and LeFlore Household. Anyone know why this is? My college advisor believes it’s a computer glitch, but I’m not sure. Any help would be appreciated!
Does anyone know how finalist were selected? Did they already read the essays to choose finalist or are they going to read them during the finalist round to select winners?
@ScubaMom9026 Is there a way you can find out your rank number? Or do they just leave you in the dark? Lol
Does anyone happen to know the approximate number of finalists that are selected every year?
There are approximately twice as many finalists in each racial/ethnic group as there will be Scholars. Essays are read and evaluated as part of the process for selecting finalists. The rankings of finalists (or Scholars) are never released. And the exact scoring/ranking/selection process is confidential. Since the final selection of Scholars is not done by random drawing, it is futile to try to calculate one’s “chances” of being chosen as a Scholar. A couple of weeks after the 1,000 Scholars are notified in mid-April, there will be a list of all Scholars posted on the GMSP website. The list will be in two formats: by last name and also by state of residence. The home towns and the secondary schools will also be listed.
Does anyone know the significance of our college acceptance letter. Do we send in the acceptance letter for the most prestigious college or does this not matter. The reason I am asking this is because the college that I want to use to send the acceptance letter is the college that I put on my GMS application. I feel pretty good about getting into the college but the acceptance letters for that college come out on April 1st and the deadline for the GMS finalists is April 8th. Should I wait for that or should I just go ahead and send one of the college acceptances that I have now? Thanks
@Georgiaboy7 Do not wait! Send out any of your current acceptance letters. I had this same question and I called a GMS representative last week and she said not to wait. I am led to believe that sending out your documents before the deadline is preferred.
@Georgiaboy7 In respect to your initial question, the prestige of the school does not matter. GMS just wants to make sure that they/it is giving out scholarships to students who will ACTUALLY attend college.
@Ifeanyi1 thanks so much!
@Georgiaboy7 You’re welcome!