<p>Need_coffe,
Here are the facts about D’s merit awards:
-D. has graduated from Miami
-We are in-state
-D. had about $2,700 from our state as she graduated #1 in her private prep. HS class.
-Some awards were from Honors. 4 years ago Honors were only very top 200 kids, many valedictorian from private schools.
-Most Merit awards were private (with names).
-All initial (freshman) D’s Merit awards were automatic
-When she was accepted we received a letter strongly advising to file FASFA for full range of MERIT awards. We have done it for 4 years and still continue for Med. School. We do not qualify for need based by a lot, not anywhere close.<br>
-D. has applied for Returning Student Merit Awards starting with March of her freshman year. Kid needs about 3.8 college GPA to be able to receive any. Awards are very large, do not miss this opportunity. D. received additional $4k for her second year. Deadline for these is March 15 and you cannot miss it by one day, you will be out. D. missed deadline in her second year.
-D. had about 10 various awards to cover tuition+
-Stats: as I have mentioned, she was #1 in her HS class, GPA=4.0uw, ACT=33, and continued with straight A’s in college.
-D. had to apply to Harrison because it was a requirement for her program. She did not get Harrison (about 43 spots), but she got into her program - only 10 spots, which was more important for her. The program has been cancelled since then.
In regard to alcohol, it is everywhere on every single campus. We drink in our family. None of us ever been drunk. I actually encourage this behaviour. They need to learn how to control themselves. So, it is up to a student. D. liked bars in her senior year (had more time). She had fun on the weekends. I did not hear of her being drunk ever. Bars did not prevent her from having college GPA=3.98 (3 “A-” in her minor), they did not prevent her to graduate Summa Cum Laude and be Phi Kappa Phi and Kappa Beta Phi (or whatever the most prestigious that one has to be recommended) and to receive award (only one was given) for most outstanding pre-med and get accepted to several Medical Schools.<br>
Kids have to learn to be in any environment and remain themselves and know who they are and thier priorities in college…and how to have fun and stay safe. Unfortunately there is no guarantee, we can only talk and trust and give examples.</p>