<p>They’re not impossible to get (though the full scholarship is pretty difficult). There aren’t clear guidelines of how they’re given out.</p>
<p>Merit scholarship recipients are chosen by a faculty committee. Admissions officers “nominate” applications that they feel are worthy of a second look for a scholarship. Then those applicants are considered in a closed-door session (i.e. no one in their except the faculty members and someone from admissions to take down the results), and the faculty members choose who will get which scholarships. So we really don’t know how they’re chosen exactly. </p>
<p>My guess would be that the faculty focuses on 1) students who they would like to teach, 2) students who would add to the campus environment, and 3) students who seem to show extra potential to do very well after graduation. In other words, they’re looking for students who they want to attend the school. I doubt the committee is overly concerned with SAT scores or sports recruitment–though those likely play some role (minority status may as well). I would guess that they pay close attention to excellent and unique extracurriculars, telling recommendations, and essays that are in some way honest and special. I guess that they look for students who “come off the page,” if you will, and may choose to attend another school (HYPS, Columbia, etc.) without the lure of a scholarship. All my own guesses, though.</p>