<p>I found out a few days ago that I am one... it came as a complete shock because my school didn't nominate me and I really haven't thought of trying to get merit aid from Davidson. But I hope I make it to scholarship weekend or whatever it's called because I've never seen the campus! Sooo are any other CCers in the running for this scholarship? Does anyone know what they base their final selections on (I know interviews, but I can't think of anything I could say that would make a school like Davidson want to give me a full ride!)?</p>
<p>ilovecollege - how did you find out?
phone call or what?
and when?
Congrats!!
My S applied for this, but hasn't heard anything, so from your post, I would assume that he did not make the cut.</p>
<p>If we haven't been notified, does this mean we aren't semi-finalists?</p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>I found out by e-mail on the 15th. The e-mail says they had about 700 nominees and chose 55 finalists. I honestly don't know what made them select me, because I don't have any exceptional talents or unique ECs or "hooks," but here are my stats, calvinrm: 2330 SAT, 4.6 GPA, ranked fifth out of about 500. Lots of student government stuff and leadership in ECs (I think that's really important for this scholarship).</p>
<p>I have no idea if they have sent out all the notifications yet... maybe they are still deliberating. I hope both of you get good news!</p>
<p>Congratulations on being named a semi-finalist! I hope you are invited to the
scholarship weekend because it would be a wonderful opportunity to visit their
beautiful campus and (most importantly) meet Davidson students. </p>
<p>I don't know exactly what criteria are used to select the Belk Scholars, but your stats are quite impressive. My son was invited for another type of
scholarship weekend at Davidson and we prepped him for the interviews by reviewing current events, and asked him to rehearse answers to questions regarding books he's read, his favorite academic subjects, career goals, etc. </p>
<p>Afterwards, he told us that the interviews were totally relaxed and conversational. They talked about baseball, a recent trip he'd taken, and the breakfast he'd eaten in the cafeteria that morning. He actually had fun talking with the panel. </p>
<p>So...be yourself. They already know you're smart. They are looking for
genuine and sincere students to enrich Davidson's student body. Good luck!</p>
<p>Congratulations, ilovecollege! My daughter got her "sorry" letter today in the mail. She isn't exactly shocked, knowing the incredibly high calibre of applicants. </p>
<p>Question for ayone else who got the sorry-we-didn't-pick-you-for-the-Belk-finalists letter: Did you get the feeling it was almost a likely letter? The letter says "...we recognize your academic talents and your great potential. To that end, your application will be carefully considered for other merit-based awards at Davidson that may be appropriate for you. Merit based scholarship decisions will be mailed by late April." The wording really surprised me. I would have expected some type of disclaimer like "IF you are extended an offer of admission, you will also be considered for other merit-based awards."</p>
<p>What do you think?</p>
<p>I agree with you and I have another objective I think they also wanted to achieve. It is obvious that with only 55 spots for the semi finalists, there are students in the sorry category that Davidson really really wants. At the same time it is a damage control letter for the college. It says don't give up on us, we might still come through for you in April. Belk Scholar applicants generally need the money. Some Belk Scholar applicants are only interested in Davidson if Davidson gives them a large amount of aid. Some applicants might take Davidson off their list or downplay Davidson if they felt they weren't going to get aid because Davidson is very expenive without it. Davidson doesn't want any of the candidates they ranked say 56-200 taking Davidson off their list because they actually intend to offer them very nice aid packages. They'll treat everyone fairly but some get treated more fairly than others :). So yes, I think that even Belk Scholar rejects as a group have a better chance of being accepted than regular applicants as a group. However, Davidson's main purpose is to keep applicants interested in Davidson. As they have no way of differentiating between #56 and #700 they send this letter to everyone. Sorry if this is incoherent.</p>
<p>ok - now my S feels really bad - not only did he not get a semi-finalist call, but he didn't get an "I'm sorry" letter either :(
I'm choosing to think his apology letter is in the mail and is just taking awhile due to distance.
Kelsmom: "late April" - that's awfully late! How's about early April, please, the waiting is a killer as it is - lol</p>
<p>Yeah, I got the I'm sorry letter today too. Too bad, Davidson was one of my top choices.</p>
<p>Don't feel bad, orjr ... D just got her letter today. It's dated 2/16 (day after semifinalists got their notification). Your S may still get that letter.</p>
<p>I agree about the late April thing ... "late" is pretty late, if you ask me!!!! With replies due 5/1, there isn't much time to decide as it is. Finances are important for many, and the awards are deal-makers/deal-breakers. As much as my D likes Davidson, she likes a couple other schools, too. We can't justify a school that costs a whole lot more than another one she likes, mainly because we just don't have it to spare. If Davidson waits too long, kids like my D may have already committed elsewhere.</p>
<p>i'm a semifinalist! just had my conference call today... i totally mixed up the time i thought they were going to call (for some reason i thought north carolina was three hours BEHIND california... i know, almost impressively stupid. so i thought they were calling at 9 pm instead of 3 pm. i was totally planning to do some intensive pre-phone call prep that afternoon, too) so i was rather flabbergasted and not terribly well put together... ah well!</p>
<p>Calvinrm Davidson still wants you and there are plenty of other good scholarships and financial aid is also very good. What difference does it make if you are named a semi finalist and end up not gettting it or if you are just told right now that you didn't get it? Look, for everyone who got semifinalist thats great, but the hardest part of the compeition has just begun. Don't take Davidson off your list just because you didn't get a full ride here. I promise you Davidson will make itself affordable.</p>
<p>So are the only people that are invited to scholarship weekend Belk scholars, or other scholarship finalists invited, too?</p>