<p>MaterMia, Thanks for the comment. I really hope someone from MC reads this thread. My daughter was also the Jefferson nominee (UVA) from her school. She did not make it past the first interview but they CALLED HER and told her she was very impressive and sent a nice letter that didn’t read like a rejection but an honor. She embodied what the Morehead-Cain was looking for, more than the Jefferson, so maybe not such a surprise that she was out of consideration early on for Jefferson. However, MC rejection letter seemed more curt because she made it to the very end. When people assume MC pays tuition for finalists that don’t get scholarship, even makes it sting more. If tuition was paid, at this point she would probably not entertain the idea of going to another school because UNC has some awesome summer enrichment programs that she will apply for if she goes, but the door was slammed so we are looking to see what windows are open at other top notch schools. In all honesty, Morehead-Cain scholarship does not determine success, it just makes it very easy. My daughter is the hardest working, most determined, passionate person I know and when she fails to meet a goal, her passion and determination go into overdrive. More important than grades, SATs, sports, etc., is where your heart lies and hers lies for those less fortunate and she uses that determination and hard work to make a difference in their lives. She is kind of reserved and a matter of fact kind of girl who is not comfortable tooting her horn (unlike her mother!), so maybe her finals interviews didn’t show her true passion. Who knows why she didn’t get it, but it is what it is. However, I do get really excited thinking about what mark she is going to make on this world! I will be honest, I feel like we need a support group for the finalists’ parents that didn’t get scholarship. LOL</p>