I was selected as one of the finalists to the University Scholars Program and I was wondering does that mean I got the scholarship? Also if I dont get it will I receive financial aid?
They said I have to do an interview and I was wondering if that was part if the screening process or not.
Congratulations! When did you receive the notification?
@mic212 Today, just 2 hours ago. And thank you 
Congratulations! Yes, the interview is part of the finalist process. Hopefully, you will receive information soon explaining the process. If not, please reach out to Duke.
How many end up getting this scholarship?
I got finalist status as well. Yay!!! If you read further in the email it says that basically after the interview process you find out if you get the scholarship. Otherwise, as a finalist, you’re guaranteed a Duke Honors Scholarship which is a grant to meet your full financial need (no loans!).
Duke 2019!!! WOOO
CONGRATULATIONS to all the University Scholar finalists (and @lolyaywoo, just be accurate, the term “grant” is generally applied to need-based FA, whereas this would be a “scholarship,” since it is merit-based FA).
@TopTier: While I agree with your usage of the two terms, when I received financial aid from Duke, the official letter some semesters said “grant” and other times, it said “Duke University Scholarship.” Perhaps it depends on where the money is coming from, but it does appear that Duke sometimes uses the term “Scholarship” in giving need-based financial aid as well, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they used the term “Duke Honors Scholarship” to lolyaywoo in these circumstances. That is pretty nice that they get rid of all loans to all scholarship finalists. Congrats to all those selected!
@bluedog (regrading terminology only): The fact that some employees of our beloved university misuse English diction is no excuse for those blessed with the advantages of “Erudltio et Religio” to do so.
@Ghfdw17 : yes, even if you don’t get the University Scholarship, your need will still be met by generous financial aid package. I know a few people who exactly fit the bill.
@TopTier : I have a friend who swears his aid is called Honors Duke Scholarship. he was USP finalist.
@erudition (re post #10): That would be correct; what it should not be called is a grant (please see post #6).
@TopTier: erudition is saying that his friend’s NEED-based financial-aid package is called the “Honors Duke Scholarship.” He did not win a University Scholarship, but was a finalist. The only difference between his aid and a non-USP finalist is that they replaced loans with grants. On the official letter from the Financial Aid Office at Duke that I received (several years ago admittedly), it more often than not said “Duke University Scholarship” and then an amount and then “Federal Perkins Loan” and “Federal Stafford Loan” line items with amounts. My first semester it said “Duke University Grant,” but I believe it was fairly consistently “Scholarship” after that (maybe “Grant” re-surfaced once or twice). I don’t think it was an accidental mis-use of the term by somebody – it was an official letter. Duke must have its own way it distinguishes between the two (based on the money’s source?), but when I saw it at first, I was like, “I got a scholarship?!? Sweet!” (Realizing it was strictly need-based, however.) I, too, think it’s an odd/incorrect use, but that’s what Duke uses in the official letters…
@bluedog (re post #12): Yes, I understand. However, notwithstanding Duke’s nomenclature, I would maintain that it’s appropriately termed a “scholarship” – not a “grant” – because the selection criteria are entirely merit-focused, not family-wealth oriented. That’s a MAJOR difference, in my opinion, and one that’s worth highlighting, because it requires performance and potential even beyond Duke’s normally outstanding standards.
Does anybody know how the actual interviews are conducted? I’m quite nervous about this.
Hey guys. Current University Scholar (we’re called Unis) here (Class of 2018), I’m happy to answer any questions.
A general overview, all of the finalists are guaranteed a loan-free FA package but only those selected as Unis after the scholarship weekend/interviews get the full ride. From what I know (what the director told us last year and what I observed), about half of the finalists go on to receive the full ride/Uni status. As far as interviews go, you’ll have an interview with a few faculty members/grad students and an undergrad Uni who are associated with the fields you are interested in. Interviews are very low-key and conversational and a chance for the committee to get to know you. Looking forward to seeing you guys on campus in a few weeks!
@TopTier : the “scholarship” that my friend received was need-based; he has to pay some amount which was determined by the FA office after taking into account his family’s finances. Had he been a University Scholar, whatever aid he would be receiving would have been absolutely merit based. However, right now, what he is receiving is need-based aid, and it is called “Duke Honors Scholarship”. Maybe this is an exception where the term “scholarship” is used to denote need-based aid. (His aid could have been higher had his determined need been higher as I know some other USP finalists like him receiving higher sums due to their determined higher need.) Hope I have not left any point of confusion this time.
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No, thank you, you post is excellent and comprehensive.
As far as the essays go, will all these questions be asked during the interview?
@PitSmoove8 Maybe/maybe not (depends on your interviewer). The key is to make sure you answer the essay questions to accurately reflect your interests and personality so that when they interview you (using information from your essays/resume as starting points potentially), what they see and hear from you matches up with what you’ve portrayed about yourself through the essays.