Merit Scholarships

WayOutWestMom
Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:27:46 +0000

When you apply to UR, you’re automatically entered into consideration for merit awards. There’s not a separate application.

From UR’s message board:

Q. What are the criteria for the Renaissance Scholarship



As we review applications for admission, we consider a broad range of criteria: academics, activities & interests, essays, recommendations, interviews, diversity factors, standardized test scores, curriculum rigor, life experiences, et cetera. And, when a student’s application really stands out, we can nominate him/her for the Renaissance Scholarship. There aren’t any specific GPAs or test scores required; our decisions are based on our holistic review of the application. Renaissance finalists are invited to campus for interviews, after which we make our final scholarship decisions. Although an interview isn’t required to be nominated for the Scholarship, it often increases a student’s chances of being invited. The only required interview is the one for the finalists.



As for your chances-- I haven’t a clue. Both D and I were shocked when we recieved her letter notifying of her Ren interview.

D’s standardized score are lower than yours. Her GPA was a 4.34. (4.4 is the highest possible at her school) She had 4 APs, plus 2 semesters of post-AP level math. Diverse ECs (jazz band, theater, creative writing, 2 sports, speech). Tons of community service both through her school and outside of it. Received several awards for her community service (including a commendation from the state legislature–which she didn’t mention on her application) and 2 for leadership. Nominated for a major national student leadership scholarship. D also had a year-round job and for the past 2 years worked 2 jobs in the summer. (Gah! No wonder she was never home…)

D’s Ren interview went terribly–and she usually interviews pretty well.