<p>Hey, i thought i may be able to help. I am attending next year, class of 2015, and got a full tuition honors scholarship (which made my decision very easy). I took APs and Honors and all that jazz, 33 on my ACTs, lots of EC and a varsity basketball captain. My essay was strong and I wrote and revised it probably close to ten times, and though it’s optional I think it’s a must to get money. Also, definitely get those recs ahead of time. Ask teachers who not only love the student, but are linked to the major they intend to study (as an engineer, I had a physics and math teacher from junior year to write mine), and try to avoid recs from freshman year teachers. From the kids who i’ve met, anyone with scholarship is out of state, and nearly all of them applied before halloween (myself included). I heard about my scholarship 8 days after my acceptance but others waited a month, so I don’t know when you’ll have an idea by. Of all the schools I applied or know anyone applied to, Pitt has been by far the most generous. UConn can give only half tuition for out of state, but if you have a 93 average and some ECs you’ll get it. Ohio State is similar, they just do it through smaller installments (i.e. an honors/department/alumni awards). Penn State gives nothing, whatsoever. If you get into their honors college you get the $2000 research honors grant or something, but thats it. Michigan is the same story.
Hope this is help. Message if you have any questions.</p>