My D was notified this afternoon as well.
Good day today. Today , she is also invited for interview to UTSA FAME program
I’m not really up on the Mcdermott scholarship, if you are a finalist does that mean you are awarded the scholarship or is there another round?
Are there any McDermott Scholars (current or former) willing to talk about why they love the program? Specifically, I’d like to know more about the cultural programming and the cohort experience. I’m so happy that I was selected as a finalist today, but unfortunately, I was also invited to an event that falls on the same weekend, for the Clemson National Scholars Program. So, it’s a very tough decision and I would appreciate some input.
@3scoutsmom There is another round-- the finalist weekend is evaluative. I’m not sure about how many scholars they choose out of the finalists.
@PeregrineFlute I graduated several years ago. First off, Dallas is a great city for cultural experiences. As a mcdermott, you can sign up for free tickets to symphonies, plays, operas, etc. As a freshman, theres a program called leadership dallas (if they still call it that) where the whole freshmen group goes to various places around dfw. based on their fb page, last friday they went to the Dallas Arts District and got to tour the Crow Collection of Asian Art and Nasher Sculpture Center. You get $12,000 stiped to study abroad. You can pretty much do whatever you are interested in and go anywhere you want. You write up a proposal for approval. The cohort experience is great. You get to know each other really well. Prior to freshmen year, the cohort takes a trip to Santa Fe. There are also cohort trips to Washington DC and Austin. Many people also go studying abroad with other scholars. The blog https://mcdermottscholars.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/ has a lot of posts on people’s experiences abroad.
@bigreddawgie Thanks for the detailed response! Since I posted yesterday night, I’ve had time to read through this thread and the McDermott FB page/blog. I really appreciate your insight (in this post and throughout the thread).
@bigreddawgie, since you have the most information about McDermott, should I be worried if I haven’t received an invitation to finalist weekend yet? Also, do you know how many people are invited to finalist weekend?
@avisomani, not all finalist weekend invites have gone out. expect more to come out in the next few days. this is in line with previous years. I think typically 50-60 are invited to finalist weekend.
@bigreddawgie Thanks for letting me know! I’m a Dallas resident myself and have met with Mrs. Seeligson multiple times, once privately, and another time at scholars day. I’m absolutely in love with the program and am really hoping to be accepted.
@avisomani can you tell me more about ‘scholar’s day’?
@3scoutsmom Well, scholar’s day is like a preview day for high achieving students who might want to attend UT Dallas. They have a variety of sessions talking about certain course programs and infrastructure available at UT Dallas. If I recall correctly, they also talk about UT Dallas’s Collegium V honors program, their National Merit Scholars Program, and other things regarding student life. It’s an informative program but there’s a great deal of marketing as well. Now, the EMSP holds a small reception with current McDermott Scholars, alumni, and staff, giving prospective scholars an opportunity to learn about the program after Scholar’s Day. It’s a pretty nice event and I enjoyed meeting with many driven and outgoing college students and high school seniors like myself.
Congratulations!! Did you receive an email or a mail in post?
@rice2019 congrats on getting the interview for both programs! Would you mind posting your d’s stats? I didn’t get into fame and wanted to see what an accepted student’s bio would look like. Thank you 
Is your son NMS? Could you share his bio?
Are you NMS?
Are you NMS?
To all who are McDermott finalists. Are you National Merit Scholar Finalist? Could you please share your bio if possible.
@astroglitter Here is what I can remember:
GPA. 4.00 UW. 4.40 W
ACT. 35 C one sitting
3 subject test all around 750-780 Physics, Math2 and History.
Rank. 1/32. small school
APs 6 APs Through Junior Year. 3 this year.
5 Dual Crédit from community College.
90 Hours of volunteer hours at two hospitals.
40 hours of shadowing.
Excellent teacher recommendations. One teacher shared the recommendation with us and it was excellent.
A lot of extra curricula work.
That is all I can remember. CC has been a source of information for us. I hope this helps some one.
My son’s stats
GPA 4.0/4.8
SAT 1550
Class rank 3/353 (when he originally applied - he moved into second after 2nd semester - not sure if that was noted in GC rec or if it even matters)
IB diploma candidate
NMCS
Major - Physics with UTeach option
EC
Varsity Cross Country and Track (various awards) - 4 years CC, 3 track
Mu Alpha Theta - 2 years
National Honors Society - I don’t remember when induction was
Regional Theatre (two leads, one supporting role) - 2 years
JSA - founding member, secretary - 2 years total involvement
Volunteer
Assistant Coach - distance - local youth track team - 3 years
pianist and vocals - church praise band - 4 years +
Recommendations
Calculus teacher
GC
School Principal
I’m sure I probably forgetting things.
3.76 uw gpa
82/630 class rank. very hard to rank. 1 b equals 15 slots back
1480 new sat one sitting
33 ap
5 scored ap with 4’s and 5’s
7 ap courses senior year, half report 6 a’s 1 b
120+ hours community service all over the city
2 years Rugby
german student exchange program jr. year
only b’s and a’s on transcript… all ap or pre ap or honors
engineering mentorship program at a large international corporation
5 years of high school two languages, german and spanish
recs from german, physics teachers and GC
email mentioned community service
no email yet for finalist weekend… said at the latest everyone will know today or tomorrow, yes or no
yes, there were proper capitals and punctuation on the McDermott application
just trying to reeeeeeeeeeeeeeLAXXXXX
forgot, will probably be a NM finalist. will know for sure in one week.