Am I competitive for the Gold Scholar award?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Minnesota
1

I’m a 16-year-old high school junior from Northeast Wisconsin planning on majoring in chemical engineering (or mathematics if I lose interest in ChEn). Right now, the University of Minnesota is probably my top-choice school, and I was wondering if I’d be able to receive their $10,000/year Gold Scholar scholarship when I apply.

I’ve a PSAT score of 218 and I’m on track to becoming a National Merit Finalist in Wisconsin (if I recall correctly, I’m well above the state’s highest score, so I’m quite certain I’m going to become NMF in 2016). Of course, the Gold Scholar award is offered to Finalists, but from what I’ve heard, not every NMF who applies to the U of M receives it. In that case, I’m worried because would the school much more affordable/loan-free for me.

My ACT score: 34 (32 in English, 35 in Math, 34 in Reading, 36 in Science, and a 9 on the essay). This was my first time taking it in March, and I might retake it in September if a 36 would help me for the scholarship chances.
I’m going to take the SAT in October as well for the National Merit Program, as well as the Math II and Chemistry SAT Subject Tests this June.

My GPA: 3.926 (projected 3.939 after this semester), unweighted, where A- is a 4.0
My class rank: 23/383 (should likely improve, although I don’t know by how much)

CLASSES:
Freshman year:
Accel. Lit. and Comp. I—A/A
German III—A+/A
Algebra II/Trig./Precalc—A-/A-
Accel. U.S. History—A/B+
Biology—A/A
Orchestra—A
Intro to Business/Marketing—A
Intro to 3D Art—B

Sophomore year:
Accel. Lit. and Comp. II—A/A
German IV—A/A
AP Calc. AB—A-/A
World History—A+/A+
Chemistry—A/A
Concert Orchestra—A+/A+
Psychology—A-

Junior year:
IB English I—A-/(projected A-)
German V—A/(projected A)
Calc. II (dual enrollment)/A-
Calc. III (dual enrollment)/(projected A-/A)
AP Chemistry—A/(projected A)
IB Physics SL—B+/(projected A-/A)
Concert Orchestra—A+/(projected A+)
Economics—A+
IB Theory of Knowledge—(projected A/A-)

Planned for senior year:
IB English II
German VI
Linear Algebra (dual enrollment)
Differential Equations (dual enrollment)
AP U.S. History
Organic Chemistry
Human Genetics
Civics (with AP U.S. Gov. online study)
Concert Orchestra
Principles of Engineering (PLTW)

I’m taking the most rigorous curriculum my school offers.

AP Exams:
AP Calc. AB—5
AP Chemistry—(projected 5)
AP U.S. Gov. (planned for next year)
AP U.S. History (planned for next year)
Possible extra self-studies for next year include AP Psych. and AP Comp. Gov., but that is unlikely. I’m also testing for the IB English HL exam, of course.

My extracurriculars and awards are rather lacking. I’ve been a member of our school’s math team all through high school from which I have a small number of regional medals, although our team isn’t well-formed. I was a member of our Knowledge Master Open team before it was shut down after ninth grade. Last year I was an on-and-off member of our GSA, and I’m probably going to rejoin it next year. Next year I also plan to continue with the math team and GSA, as well as try out for a school play and join the Model UN. I’m the school’s first-chair cellist if that means anything, especially because rehearsals are during the school day as a credited class. From cello playing I’ve been to the district Solo and Ensemble Festival for the past two years, with second-class awards both times.

Thanks for reading and answering, everyone. I know this is quite long. I’ll try to respond to others’ threads if they ask as always.

2

@niletheriver: I can’t see any reason for UMN to deny you the Gold Scholarship. You have all the qualifications they’re looking for: 1) National Merit Semifinalist, 2) High ACT score, 3) High GPA, 4) Rigorous course load, 5) Top 10% of your class, 6) Plenty of extracurriculars.

On the National Merit issue, you’re definitely going to be a NM Semifinalist when the names are announced in September. Wisconsin’s cutoff was 208 last year, and you’re well above that. Moving from semifinalist to finalist is easy as long as you score over 1960 on the SAT, submit your essay, stay out of trouble, and make sure your high schools administration does their required part. About 94% of semifinalists become finalists.

In my opinion, your ACT score of 34 is high enough. You’re already in the 99th percentile nationally. Going for a 36 score may give you bragging rights and make your parents even more proud of you than they already are, but it’s really not necessary. The ACT scores for incoming freshmen in the College of Science & Engineering average about 31, so you’re already well ahead of your prospective peers on that data point.

I’d say that your extracurriculars are fine. I doubt that substantially loading up on additional EC hours is going to sway the admissions & scholarship decision one way or another. Your NM status, ACT, GPA and class rank are the stats that UMN will weigh most heavily in their decision making process.

So, with all that said, stay the course with your intended plan, get good grades, avoid coming down with a case of Senioritis, and a UMN admission AND the Gold National Scholarship are my predictions for you.

3

Totally agree with Chuck that you should get the Gold Scholarship. My two oldest were NMF’s from Wisconsin and although its been 5/3 years since their UMN offers, they both got the Gold Scholarship and their stats were very similar to yours. My second, who had a 36 ACT, was also offered the Benton Scholarship which I believe was an additional $5,000 per year. My first wasn’t with his 35 ACT (both were Vals. of their school so this was the only difference.) If you want, I would retake the ACT to see if you could get a 36. I wouldn’t send it automatically to the school though in case you go down.

Finally, the Wisconsin rep. at UMN was very excited when both my boys visited because they were NMFs and their high ACTs and GPAs and actually pulled them out of the regular tour and took them out to lunch, and had them meet personally with the honors dean. They both actually felt like they were “wanted”. My first did go to UMN and graduated with his ME degree last May. My second chose another school since he wanted warmer weather.

4

Thank you so much for your advice! I was worried there for a second that I wouldn’t receive the scholarship because I had heard that it [the award] was competitive, and that the CSE Honors average ACT score was a 35, meaning that Gold Scholar awards are closely correlated with admission to CSE Honors. Plus my class rank isn’t as high as it ought to be, so I had a feeling it’d be a weakness in both regards. Does this mean I should retake the ACT?

@kjcphmom Could you please tell me more about this Wisconsin UMN representative? I’ve been wanting to meet with an admissions counselor there in order to learn more about the school because I won’t be able to visit until probably August. Would it be an inconvience for a representative to visit my school, or would I have to visit a Wisconsin location to see them; how would meeting with the representative work?

5

niletheriver, we never contacted the representative at all, nor did he contact us. It was only when our sons signed up for their summer tour between their junior and senior years that we met him. (There were two different guys.) When signing up for the tour they ask for information (ACT scores, whether you are NMSF, where you are from) and somehow our information got the the recruiters. My 2nd sons recruiter was Steve, but that was 3 years ago and I don’t know much more. What I probably would do is call UMN and ask to speak to the WI recruiter. I would do that now and tell him you probably will be a NMF, your act etc., and ask him about the Gold Scholarship etc. Its been 4 years since my 2nd son visited so things may have changed (I still think you are fine unless you really have a poor gpa).

With regard to the ACT, my first son who got a 35 didn’t see any need to retake it. My 2nd son got a 34 and decided to take it again (I think he wanted to beat his older brother) and got a 36. They are very equal in all their academic achievements and ECs (scouts, more robotics/science ECs, band etc.) so the only reason I can think that my 2nd son got the extra scholarship was for his perfect ACT score. It may not be the case but…

UMN is a great school. My son was very happy there. My 2nd son is at the University of Alabama (which also gives great scholarships to NMFs) and he is happy there too. Good luck!!!

6

Thank you! I will be sure to ask for a Wisconsin recruiter before this summer, as well as visit UMN in the summertime to get more information. I suppose it isn’t rude to directly inquire about specific scholarships, is it? Regardless, I think talking to someone at UMN will definitely help, especially because it shows interest in the school.

Oddly enough, the University of Alabama is my second choice for that exact reason (NMF scholarship purposes), but UMN remains my top choice.

7

@niletheriver I think you have a great shot at the Gold Scholarship! I am about to start at U of M in CBS (Class of 2019), and have similar stats. I am also from Wisconsin! Same ACT composite, NMF with 228 PSAT and 2210 SAT, 4.0 UW GPA, ranked 1/380-ish. My school did not offer IB classes, but I took 10 AP classes. I did cross country and track for three years and volunteered through NHS as well as at a hospital. I also did band all four years. As long as you prepare well for the SAT and spend plenty of time writing a good essay, you should make NMF, and Gold Scholar, too. Best of luck!!

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@sofiereads thanks! However I don’t think our stats are similar; your stats are clearly better than mine! Glad to know you’re also from Wisconsin! I’m not actually too worried about NMF because from this site I read the requirements were somewhat lax (that the only reason one would not advance past NMSF is if they write a really poor essay or have a number of Cs or any Ds; I don’t think that will be the case) and I am a fair number of points above the highest cutoff from Wisconsin. From what I remember, a student from Wisconsin got NMSF from a 212 this year. I’m mostly concerned with whether NMF will guarantee me a Gold Scholar award, or at least whether I have a high chance at it, because the UMN scholarship website says the Gold Scholar award is competitive (even among NMFs).

9

@niletheriver sorry if you answered this one already but are you also applying to UW-Madison just in case you DON’T get the gold scholarship? In-state tuition and a ChEn program that’s almost as highly ranked as UMN’s.

Update: Sorry dumb question. Of course you have reciprocity - I forgot that.

10

Mamelot, I hope the OP does apply to Madison too, just to give him a choice. I know for my sons money made a difference and for National Merit Finalists UMN offered ALOT more money than Madison did. Of course, the environment for both have a difference vibe, although both wonderful. My son wanted the more urban feel of UMN. My second son chose Alabama because of the weather and the more traditional feel of that campus.

11

I recommend that you use some “strategy” here. You said you are “planning on majoring in chemical engineering (or mathematics if I lose interest in ChEn).”

Instead of being considered a slightly above average student applying to the highly competitive CSE department, and wondering whether you will get into the honors program and get the scholarships you need, why don’t you apply as a star student in very high demand in the College of Liberal Arts? They would love to have you and probably shower you with a stack of scholarships. Compare admissions profiles here to see: http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/academics/profile.html

You can start off pursuing a degree in Chemistry and a minor in Math, both in CLA, and later add a degree in Chem Eng or double major in Math, depending on how things go. Per their website: “A chemistry degree may be combined with a degree in chemical engineering. This double major program is easy to plan and is excellent preparation for a career in the chemical industry or for graduate study in chemistry or chemical engineering.”

My daughter used this strategy at UMN and got several scholarships that pretty much cover everything, and she is also OOS. There were two different colleges offering similar majors that she was interested in – one college was very prestigious and highly competitive, and the other wasn’t. She applied to the one where she would stand out the most, and she has no regrets.

She is an incoming freshman and already has a paid position as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in her dream lab at the university before she’s even started classes. It helps to have on her resume all those academic scholarships, including some directly from her college, and membership in the honors program.

Since you aren’t entirely sure about Chem Eng at this point but you are sure about UMN and the need for scholarships, this strategic approach to admissions could pay off for you literally. For scholarships directly from CLA (to add to the Gold scholarship and others from admissions), you will need to apply separately. See: https://cla.umn.edu/student-services-advising/financial-aid-scholarships/scholarships-incoming-freshmen

12

@Mamelot @kjcphmom yes I’m also applying to Madison but I’m worried that they won’t provide enough money for me to afford to go to school there. I’m also applying to Alabama because of their high return for NMFs.

@mommyrocks wow thanks! That seems like a very legitimate and viable strategy and unlike any advice I’ve read before! Especially because I’m somewhat unsure of what I want to pursue, potentially receiving more scholarship money and a higher honors chance for CLA honors instead of CSE makes more sense. But how would I go about doing that? Would I apply for CLA first and then list CSE as a backup? And how would the majors be affected? Would I potentially be receiving a BA in chemistry or math instead of a BS? How credible would that specific degree be compared to a BS with more technical courses? I was indeed looking at the course schedules and four-year planning guides and made a rather serious effort as to how to go about my course plans for several possible majors, but I will have to do some restructuring based on the fact that I never accounted for a BA degree (assuming that is what CLA offers).

13

Last year, my son received a Gold Scholar letter from UMN a few weeks after his acceptance into CSE (which arrived early November, if I recall; he sent in his app the day NMSF was a sure thing). The only thing he had to do from that point was be confirmed NMF. As others have said, you shouldn’t have to worry about this - sounds like you have the pieces all lined up.

He’s happily enrolled at OU, but would have gone to UMN if enough money had come through. If UMN is your first choice, definitely see what you can do to maximize additional funding.

14

To answer your questions, you would apply to CLA and plan on getting a BA degree in Chemistry or Math (there are many specialties in math you can choose from). After you are there, you can apply for a double major in the CSE department for a compatible subject, if you decided you really wanted a BS degree from that department. That seems like the simplest approach, but there are probably other ways to go about this.

The double major with Chemistry and Chem Eng sounded nice, and the website did not seem to make a distinction as to whether your Chemistry major was the BA through CLA or the BS through CSE. See here: http://www.chem.umn.edu/undergrad/UGCur.html That link describes differences in the programs and where to go for advice.

I can’t speak as to the “credibility” of a BA versus a BS, although I would think that if you excel in your program of choice, that will be respected regardless, especially if you are pursuing appropriate internships in the summers and possibly during the school year.

It’s my understanding that a BA requires you to study a foreign language for two years, and a BS does not leave room for foreign language study. Consider whether a foreign language might be helpful in your future career plans.

Just weigh your interests in CSE and the BS majors it offers against your need for scholarship money and desire to be part of the honors program, and consider what should be the biggest priority. Research the options and possible outcomes to help in your decision.

15

So from what you’re saying, if I confirm NMF, I’ll be accepted into CSE Honors and receive the Gold Scholarship nearly guaranteed? However, I’m also going to be applying for a range of local and national competitive scholarships as well as hoping for ones from UMN because of course not all of tuition, room, and board will be covered fully. $10k per year will certainly help, though!

16

Oh sorry, I didn’t see the above post, @mommyrocks . I guess I took too long to write my previous post and was responding to @cmb1828 . But still, thank you so much for presenting the situation in a different light. It’s really helpful. From what I understand, it might actually be beneficial to add foreign language study to my curriculum, even though I hadn’t planned it in otherwise with a CSE curriculum. I’ve actually been studying German for the past six years in a high school setting so that might help me based on that but I might choose a different language depending on where I could potentially look if I were looking into working abroad. I’ll have to do some research on the industries of various nations.

But then again, I’m still unsure. Is it possible to apply for both colleges and just choose one dependent on whether the scholarships work out? From what I’m aware, the application I can turn in asks you for specific interests (potential majors) and asks you to choose a college based on that.

17

Six years of German is great! Definitely check out all the languages at UMN and consider the BA degrees in CLA so you can continue with language studies. In the German department they offer Dutch and Scandinavian languages, plus there are many others in other language departments. They also have language living learning communities, where you could choose to live with students who speak German.

It is possible to get a full ride from UMN covering tuition, room and board, but they way the university does it is through offering multiple scholarships, and some might be through the specific college you apply to. I think CLA requires a special scholarship application for scholarships from that college – I gave a link in a previous comment.

I don’t know if you can apply to two colleges at the same time and be considered for scholarships from both, so you will have to check on that. Good luck!

18

Okay thank you! You’ve been a huge help!