<p>I'm curious what sort of credentials applicants need to get the BK scholarship or any of the academic scholarships? I'm asking after seeing threads about how nearly impossible it is to get these. Any thoughts? Also, someone suggested more BK scholarships go to OOS? Is that the consensus?</p>
<p>The BK is the top of the top. If you get into Honors that does not mean you will be eligible for BK. Here is a snippet from UMD regarding Honors
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<p>There are also 2 types of BK
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<p>If you are not in the stats for Honors than you are not in the running for BK. FYI, our DS had the stats for Honors and was not accepted due to his major. He did get the next tier which is Presidential. </p>
<p>AS the info from UMD states IS or OOS do not play a factor, the stats, EC’s and interviews do make a determination. If I recall correctly you have a strong profile academically, but I don’t recall your ECs…in other words you can have a 4.5 and 1500 with few ECS, but the 4.2 and 1390 with a ton of ECS, such as Capt of Soccer, NHS President, awards, and a job may be selected before because they see that through time mgmt and diversity you are a candidate that has not lived their life studying. For freshman the applicant with tons of ECS and a slightly lower stat typically has an easier transition, then the one that lives in books. Social life is a large part of success in college. Conversely the kid that has great SATs, low gpa gives shivers because it means to them that they have yet to balance social and school life, giving them the fear they are a prime candidate for partying and cutting classes when some of the freshmen classes are 200+.</p>
<p>The goal for any college is to admit the student that is most likely to graduate with the highest HS gpa/sat to sell the school for future students.</p>
<p>That is very interesting and helpful! Thanks!</p>
<p>It seems to go towards OOS, but I also know a few IS, or maybe it’s just more of a deciding factor for OOS.
Where admissions is pretty straight numbers, B/K is not by any means. I went for interviews, and professors from my college knew my application. They remembered my specific extra-curriculars, where I was from, etc. My interview did not involve asking much about academics. One scholarship committee member said, if you make eye contact with your interviewer you’re ahead of half the candidates and will usually get the money. So it’s not going to the socially ■■■■■■■■ bookworm who can’t communicate. It’s going to the people who tried their hardest with what they had and excelled as well as their situation allowed. The key word there is people.</p>
<p>I agree with both posts. DS is OOS and is a full B/K recipient. Although he came into the B/K interview with strong GPA/SAT/ACT/EC’s/Essay/Rec’s, I believe his people skills and ability to interview well landed him the full B/K. Lots of students interviewing have the stats, but people skills and the ability to interview well are the key. His interviewers also commented at the interview about how many interviewees they had with the stats, but no personality at the interview. </p>
<p>Also, just to throw this in there, DS noticed that he was the ONLY one during his interview slot that was waiting to be interviewed WITHOUT a parent or parents by their side. This is college people!! He said it was ridiculous and he could tell the interviewers thought so too when they looked around by their facial expressions. If you must go to the interview, stay outside the building and wait for them to come out or designate a meeting place. It does not help your child to look like they NEED their parent while waiting to interview. They are looking for independent, strong, well-rounded students with the great stats, but good people skills. </p>
<p>DS recently applied and interviewed with the Honors College and is now an Honors Ambassador!! Good interviewing skills will give you an edge over competitors for whatever you are being interviewed for, whether it’s a scholarship, a title, or a job. Invest time in obtaining them if you do not already possess them.</p>
<p>DS has met several people from MD that are B/K Scholars. The ones he has met received the partial, but then again, they are IS and the cost is considerably less than OOS to attend. He also met two valedictorians from MD (one male and one female) that did not receive ANY merit scholarships.</p>
<p>On the pressence of parents: The day is designed with the parents in mind, and lasts the entire day. If the parents waited outside they’d be there for about six hours. Almost everyone had a parent with them. The people I saw without parents either lived very close or very far, and your interviewer probably won’t see your parent. The problem was the parents who spoke for the kid, some went as far as even getting the kid’s food from the buffet etc. I could see where that’s a problem, but depending on where you’re coming from, having your parent there or not is possibly just a logistics thing.</p>
<p>I’m referring to the parents actually waiting in the lobby with the student to be interviewed. There is a designated time slot and the interview takes place within that half hour only. By the age of 18 or so I think the B/K hopeful could easily wait in the lobby to be interviewed without a parent hovering and making eye contact with the interviewers. It is unnecessary and I do not believe expected. It’s not meant to be a criticism on anyone’s part that did do this, just a suggestion for those seeking advice.</p>
<p>Last year at least, the interviewees waited at the ice cream social. </p>
<p>Nothing to stress about for anyone, really. Don’t have your parents come in with you, but no one’s going to know they waited with you.</p>