<p>At OP: There was another thread that you started a few days back where merit scholarships recipients, myself included, actually posted some information on what we thought made us stand out. Here it is: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/rice-university/746210-trustee-distinguished-scholars.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/rice-university/746210-trustee-distinguished-scholars.html</a>. The only reason I know what made my stand out was that the admission’s officers told one of the counselors in my school’s guidance office (who knows me well but isn’t my counselor) when she was done visiting. As everyone has stated, it comes down to the intangibles, such as specific talents, exceptional leadership, math/science award winners (i.e. Siemens, Intel, etc.), and others. So the merit scholarship, in my opinion, hinges on two things: your extracurriculars and your essays. I would also suggest you attach a resume with your MOST IMPORTANT (not every single one) extracurriculars and awards… you have more room to list other extracurriculars/awards that you can’t fit into the application itself.</p>
<p>Biggest piece of advise: Be yourself in the essays and write sincerely on what gets you going or some passion. Obviously, be creative, but don’t write the essay with the intent of pleasing the admissions officers (of course, you are writing them to get in, but make sure you don’t suck up to the admissions people in your essays because they can see right through that). The essays should be true self-reflections in which you write sincerely about your passions/activities.</p>