my S has a chance for a presidential scholarship at a private medium sized school that draws 99.7 % of it’s students from the western PA area. We are from OOS and one of two from OOS competing for a scholarship. 157 accepted students are competing for 20-25 full tuition scholarships. Numbers were given to me by admissions counselor. All students had to write essay and complete on line video. Here is my question: the university president is really trying to grow the school and hopes to compete with larger public schools. Do you think being from OOS makes a huge difference in our chance to be awarded a scholarship?
Honestly, there is no way to answer your question.
My daughter goes to a private, medium sized school. I don’t think it makes any difference if you are from the state, OOS or international. The instate students do get to use the state scholarships at the school so that is an advantage the instate students get because the terms of those scholarships are set by the state/granter of the award. The OOS and internationals compete for the school merit scholarships on the same basis as instate, except there is one (ONE) full ride scholarship that goes to an instate student.
I couldn’t comment on your particular situation, but I can comment on our experience. My daughter received a merit scholarship and was invited back along with many others including three friends, for the presidential scholarship. Two of her friends were offered full tuition, one was a very high stats URM and the other a strong GPA athlete. One declined and the other is attending. While my daughter did not get offered full tuition, she did receive another $2,000 per year for attending in addition to her merit. We had no idea she would get more for attending the competition so it was a nice surprise.
In the end there is no way to know for sure. They may be looking for something which could sway in your direction if it’s close between two candidates. You could google the school name and strategic plan or similar. Some have been quite telling in what schools are looking for.
To be honest…here is my suggestion. Your daughter needs to assume she has NO advantage at all…and truthfully put her best foot forward. I know she will anyway… but if she thinks she has an edge for being OOS, it might affect how she presents herself.
Just assume she has NO advantage…at all…and hope for the best!