Last night I was notified that I had become a semi-finalist for a fully paid study abroad scholarship program for the 2024-2025 year with a 2% acceptance rate.
I am wondering if I should pursue this because I am worried it will show schools that I am not fully committed to attending if accepted. I want to include this “award” into my profile considering the scholarship is so competitive, but I am not too sure if this is the right decision.
I don’t want schools to question whether or not I will attend if accepted considering I would have to choose between a fully paid study abroad program, or attending a prep school. I am definitely more inclined to attending a prep school over a study abroad program, but I really just want to know what others would do if in this situation.
If I decided to go through with continuing the study aboard application process, I would have to interview in the late winter/early spring, being just around the March 10th decisions.
I think you should focus on the qualities that led you to be accepted in that program and not the acceptance itself. Ask yourself what unique characteristics about you put you in the 2% for that application. The award itself is the outcome, but the attitude, effort and perseverance that it took to get to that point are probably the things that you would bring to a prep school.
That being said, this sounds like a great opportunity. Are you afraid if you get accepted to prep school and decline to study abroad that you wouldn’t be accepted the following year?
My son has been having similar thoughts. He will probably get accepted to a great day school nearby and he could go there for a year and then re-class at a prep school next year, but he is afraid if he gets into the prep schools and declines this year, he won’t get in again next year.
My main fear is that by continuing the study abroad application, the schools I’m applying to will question my commitment and in turn not give me an acceptance letter.
I know these schools want high yield rates, and in turn are very selective and particular about which applicants receive an acceptance letter.
I am definitely much more willing to attend a prep school over study abroad because of the obvious educational benefits, making it my first choice.
Having attended a study abroad program is something to put on an application. Having been accepted to do so (or being in the final pool of applicants) is not. It may be highly selective, but it isn’t an award or prize, and it doesn’t make you more attractive to another school. Do not put it on your profile.
You run the risk of appearing to view acceptances as prizes when they are invitations of which you can accept only one. That isn’t why any school accepts a student!
If you want to consider the study abroad option as well as BS, continue the application process for both and decide in spring, when you know your true options. But at this point, don’t show your hand.
Do you want to attend this program? If you got into your first choice program would you still do so? Or is it more of a runner up for your emotions? I think it is fine to mention it, particularly if you are still considering attending.