Minimum GPA & SAT scores (in Calif.) for Byrd Scholarship t/b serious contendor?

Paying for College
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<p>Reading through the thread which began last year regarding this competition, I was seeing several students with 4.0 and outstanding SAT scores.</p>

<p>My ds’ un-weighted GPA was 3.89. SAT was 2040. Not sure whether this would be high enough to have serious possibility - ?</p>

<p>My son is home-schooled, so we will be filing separately from another school. I did speak with the director, Pat Foley the other day regarding a couple other of my questions, though didn’t ask him this. I wasn’t concerned until reading of the outstanding scores a few have listed here ;).</p>

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<p>It all depends on the state. In some he may have a chance, but for California I don’t think your son does. Somewhere in this thread, I can’t remember quite where, they discuss California’s methodology:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/other-major-scholarships-competitions/474763-robert-c-byrd-scholarship.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/other-major-scholarships-competitions/474763-robert-c-byrd-scholarship.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Basically, they take the highest unweighted gpa’s and then the highest SAT Math + Verbal. So, at least in the past, if you don’t have a 4.0 UW you won’t receive it. By all means keep pursuing it, but understand that the odds are very long, and continue to look for others sources of financial aid for your son.</p>

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<p>I’m suspecting you’re right here regarding the 4.0. </p>

<p>In regards to the SAT, in going through the application paperwork, I do see that Calif. also looks at the writing score.</p>

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<p>In our state…it’s a little bit of a nothing application. If it’s the same in CA…why not just apply and see?</p>

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<p>might as well apply, but anything less than a 2200 is not very competitive.</p>

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<p>Hi,
We were in the same situation last year at this time so I just called and asked…The gentleman told me that every year the cutoff is a little different depending on the applicants and their respective stats.</p>

<p>Last year the Cutoff was 4.0 UW gpa AND SAT of 2010.</p>

<p>Good Luck to your student! :)</p>

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<p>Thanks for sharing what you’d been told last year, Momto4inSoCal. That’s a little encouraging :).</p>

<p>I spoke to the head of the program in Ca. on Sat., though with questions more pertaining to home-schoolers applying. I didn’t think to ask this. I keep seeing min. GPA requirements in some states at 3.5, though have heard Calif. described as a state that tends to do better.</p>

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<p>^Irene, I think the issue, though, for your student, is that they go by GPA first, then SAT. So while she may meet the SAT bar, for California she would need a 4.0 UW to have a chance. Even though she has a strong GPA and strong SAT, the way CA does it is they will never get to a student without a 4.0 UW. But she’s still welcome to apply, and I think she should, maybe this year will be different</p>

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<p>True - GPA does get looked at first. </p>

<p>Ah well, - - it’s worthy enough of filling out the paperwork for him and submitting it. </p>

<p>We just won’t get our hopes up too high.</p>

<p>He’s already received a very good amount in scholarships and grants and we hope to receive a bit more in the award letter.</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone who gave input here.</p>