<p>I'm currently a high school senior and, assuming that I'm admitted, would hope to receive some merit money. My family is upper middle class and does not qualify for financial aid. We sent in the required paperwork though in hope of being awarded a Carnegie scholarship. My fear is that I will either not be awarded one or it will be very small at around 5K or less a year. I've read several threads from years ago on CMU matching other schools offers. I was wondering if this is purely need based or also merit based?
I recently received a 30K a year merit scholarship at Case Western Reserve and while I don't expect them to actually match that offer in full, is it possible I could get more than say 10 or 15 thousand a year at Carnegie Mellon based on this? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Its unlikely that the Carnegie Scholarship will give you more than 15,000 (or even 10,000) annually. Based on past CC threads, is seems the max amount for the scholarship is 10k a year (though most people get less). One of my friends got it last year and he said that amount is “really random” as he only got 5k/year while someone else got 6.5k/year and yet another person got 1.5k/year. Also, since this a merit scholarship, the best applicants are most likely to claim those 10k/year awards.</p>
<p>CMU doesn’t really ‘match’ other school’s offers; they MAY increase aid to close the gap but from when I spoke to the financial aid office after i got in they usually only increase the initial offer by a few thousand, although this may be different for the best and/or hooked applicants.</p>
<p>^ The best RD admits usually don’t need their packages “matched” as they get better FA packages than average RD admits. In some cases, the best admits have gotten packages equal to their full-financial need.</p>
<p>So how did it turn out? I am in a similar situation with Carnegie and Case and would love to hear if they matched. I thought I read on their website (CM) that they would consider matching competitor’s merit $, but can’t find it now. Have read elsewhere they only match need based financial aid not merit. What was your experience?</p>
<p>If you’re lucky enough to somehow get merit aid, it’s what you get. Merit based aid is usually awarded for those students who don’t qualify for a lot of need based financial aid. I believe like Bbrrnn said, need based aid gets matched. </p>
<p>Hey, can you guys tell me what my chances are for SCS: Do you guys know if SCS is a highly number based school? I mean my stats are bit low (below average) for SCS due to some personal circumstances (which I explained on the application) but I am like an Intel semifinalist, siemens regional fiinalist, AIME qualifier - actually got in the high 130’s on the AMC 10 and about 110 on the AMC 12 etc… What do you think my chances are? To be more specific, I got a 32 on the ACT (with a 35 on Math and 33 on Reading) and pretty much all A/A- in my math/sci classes but did poorly in foreign language (including a B- junior year), humanities (quite a few B+'s) etc… I have also interned at a software company and won medals in chess and tennis competitions. As for SAT II’s I got a 800 on Math II and 760 on chem. I got a rec from my math teacher and supplement from a research mentor. Thanks! </p>
<p>Yes, I did apply but just wanna know if i have a decent chance at least. In other words, i want to know what people are thinking of after reading my profile. </p>
<p>SCS is so darn competitive these days. But due to your extracurricular accomplishments, and taking into consideration your objectives and your special circumstances (assuming they are persuasive), I would say your chances are above the overall acceptance rate for the college. What other colleges in CMU did you apply to? If you did SCS as #1 and, say MCS as #2, I could see an acceptance at MCS and wait list at SCS. Overall I would your % chance of a straight acceptance to SCS at 15 - 25%, which is above the average for the college.</p>
<p>Interest is important to CMU. I have to conclude that you did not do ED for SCS, so I would recommend that find ways to show that if you are accepted, you will enroll. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>agg999 your profile is just like my son’s and you both have a better than average chance because you have obviously worked hard. As long as you follow your passion and are around people that inspire you, opportunities will come your way. Undergrad programs are just the first step in your career and no one will every ask you about your foreign language high school grades - I promise! Good luck!</p>