NPR College Admissions Story

BUandBC82
Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:28:56 +0000

There have been discussions with LadyD on the UNC forum about merit money. She expressed her concern at that time that NC will lose top instate students to other states because of their lack of merit money to NMFs. On one of the UNC threads I posted stats for both the 2009 and 2010 freshman classes. SAT scores went up, so I don’t think what she fears happening is actually happening. To add my 2 cents - I think many students are like my son, top students staying instate at a lower priced school that also happens to have an excellent reputation. I think stats will continue to go up. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. By the way, LadyD’s son would have gotten a $1,000 NMF scholarship from UNC.

Lady D - I think it’s wonderful that your son is getting a full ride to Alabama. Congratulations to him! It’s terrific that his hard work has given him great options.

alh -

What do we think about public schools offering non-need based merit awards? Is that a problem? Does it serve the school’s mission? Is there a difference if those awards go to in-state or out-of-state students? Will our thoughts on this change as the states suffer more and more economic problems?

I agree that it is a good question. Should my son have gotten merit? I was happy for him. It was a very nice pat on the back and confidence booster, but he had already accepted his spot at UNC when he got it. They didn’t need to woo him. UNC does give most of it’s merit to instate students, but some goes out of state.

lookingforward -

Isn’t NC one of the states that is thinking of (or planning to) increase the number of OOS admits, to increase revenues?

There is talk about this and lots of rumors, but I’m not sure what’s actually happening in the legislature. Costs are increasing next year for both instate and out of state.