I was a finalist at Belk weekend, so feel free to shoot questions about the process/experience and I’ll try to be helpful since a lot of people on here seem to be confused.
Ok @university2022 . I’ll bite. 
Our S19 will be nominated by his school. Any idea how many kids are nominated and how many make the cut for semifinalist? He’s an athlete and an artist and he’s got plenty of leadership in our community. 1540 SAT and 5s on AP BC Calc, AP Lang, and APUSH from junior year. He will be NMSF from a state with a 221 cut off. He is continuing to take a heavy load of APs and honors senior year. If one is a semifinalist, is the next step to do Skype interviews? When do kids find out if they are a semifinalist? He will get his app in by 12/1 for consideration.
We know it’s extremely competitive so do not have our hopes up. We are a full pay family and getting any merit from Davidson would make it the top of the list. We are hoping that, even if Belk does not come through, he will get some unnamed type of merit or possibly the Pepper Art Scholarship since he applying for that as well.
Hi @homerdog! Hopefully I can provide some answers.
Last year, over 1200 applicants were considered for the scholarship. Around 60 were semifinalists, and around 30 were finalists. Semi-finalists had a phone interview, and finalists came for Belk weekend (which included an in-person interview). Last year, I found out mid-February that I was a semifinalist, but the timing can vary. Please please ask me any questions you may have!
@irishfancyfeet09 As a semi-finalist, did you win anything?
In my D’s year (HS Class of 2017), everyone who came for the finalist weekend and did not receive the Belk was awarded a $25K/year merit scholarship as a consolation prize. Note that Davidson did NOT pay for travel to the scholarship weekend.
Out of the 30 some-odd finalists (and there were also approximately 1,200 nominees, there are 8 Belk Scholarships awarded and either one or two alternates named. I believe that all of those awarded the Belk accepted it (my D was an alternate and never heard back).
Anyone remember when the first round kids are contacted?
Also, does anyone know if it’s a separate committee that reads kids’ apps for the Belk Scholarship and not the admissions officers? I know it’s that way at some other schools.
@homerdog it looks like they emailed all the applicants the first week of February last year. Hoping the kids at least get a chance for semifinalist interview!!
@momcatof4 Our S19 just updated his AO with a new award and she congratulated him and then said she can’t wait to read his application. So now I’m confused as he sent it in 12/1 for the Belk deadline and received confirmation that he was nominated. That’s why I was asking if there’s a separate scholarship committee that reads these apps. I’m a little freaked out if she hasn’t read it. I wouldn’t want him to flat out ask if there’s some miscommunication and his nomination fell through the cracks. It’s ok if he’s not a semi finalist but I’d want to make sure he’s being considered.
@homerdog - It would be comforting to know all parts are in. Perhaps the portal would be a great place to put a Belk checklist as well?
OK. Now I’m nervous that Davidson is missing an important piece of information. My daughter was named our county’s top student volunteer (she has 1000+ community service hours). That’s something that the Davidson folks don’t know about. Should I have my daughter call and them? How would that kind of phone call go? Just dial them up and tell them? Help!
I would simply email the admissions dept, addressing it to “Belk Scholarship Committee”. Apologize for the oversight of not including that info with the original application and then respectfully request that they add it. Good luck!
@lakealto you should update all of her school’s with that information. Just have her look at her portals. They usually have the email address for admissions and you can send updates there. S19 sent his email update right to his AO because they have met a few times and she gave him her card.
@momcatof4 do you think they emailed all of the candidates at the same time? Or did they email the semifinalists first and then the others later?
@homerdog - I just emailed her school guidance counselor. He recommended that she email the regional rep. My daughter has met the regional rep once (briefly). Should she email the regional rep or the admissions office directly?
@lakealto Up to you. I’m no expert. S19 emailed his regional rep like I said.
Okay. Regional rep it is. Thanks!
I would do both, leave no stone un-turned.
My daughter updated her regional rep with an update on an honor she received. He responded back promptly congratulating her and saying that he’d add it to her file.
@homerdog I believe reading that it is a separate committee that evaluates for the Belk scholarship. Seems that way at several schools for the full ride scholarships.