We have not received either. We got a semi-finalist notification about a month ago.
Will the finalists be informed this week?
@oily2018 Just got a finalist notification! If you made it in, I’m cheering for you!
I also just got the notification. Does anyone know what the interview questions will be?
Congrats! I also got an email notification and I made a call to confirm it!
Hello! Due to COVID-19, my ACT was canceled. Do you believe that it would affect my chances for CDB?
@heybri Are you applying for next year?
@mssweeteaa I applied this year and had scheduled my ACT for April. Unfortunately, my ACT was pushed back to July and was then pushed back again to August.
Hi everyone - my son is planning to apply for the scholarship this upcoming year. Can anyone provide some suggestions and advice on how we can prepare, and how to maximize his changes?
He has good grades at school, and we know he has to take the SAT / ACT as well, and will need a letter of recommendation from a teacher.
What can my son do in order to get a real chance at this scholarship?
Thank you!
@heybri I am not one of the directors of the CDB scholarship, so I cannot give certain advice. I just happen to be a kid that has been chosen as a finalist. However, as there have been a huge chunk of kids who have not been able to take their SAT/ACT, I’m am assuming that there are going to be kids who make it in without have taken those tests. It shouldn’t affect your chances
By the way- if you made it as a finalist, you most likely have already qualified for the scholarship, so you shouldn’t have to worry about your academics. When are you doing your interview?
@sonatarhia I am planning to post a thread on “Everything I Wish I Knew Before Applying to the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship” around the time applications open up for next year. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, is it okay if I ask what your son’s extracurriculars are? I feel like one of the things that helped me most during my application process was “building a narrative” around my passion.
@mssweeteaa Congrats on being chosen as a finalist! That’s quite an accomplishment. How did you do on your SAT or ACT? It’s always good to have a realistic idea of how their selection process works.
My daughter will be also applying Good luck to everyone.
If my test scores and grades chose whether I made it in or not, I would DEFINITELY, definitely not be sitting here as a CDB finalist right now.
I am by all means not a top student. Last year, I got a couple of Cs and Ds, and only have a few subjects where I got an A. My SAT score… was an 1160. Not bad for a 7th grade, but definitely not “gifted” level.
The important thing to consider is that “gifted” comes in all shapes and sizes. I’ve seen people who have been rejected as with a perfect ACT, and there are kids who have made it in with a 1060. A test score does not define who you are. A factor that might have contributed to my results was my sharp increase in the quality of my grades. I went from a 69 mid last year to a 97 in that same subject.
Outside of the academics part of my application, my extracurriculars, quick takes and essays really shined.
@mssweeteaa That’s great to know. My daughter is interested in the scholarship as well and I’ve been attempting to learn as much as I can. It’s nice to get some insight from a finalist. Again, congratulations and best of luck to you!
@kellyjoe Thank you! The most important thing you should do is focus on your passions. Your daughter is a unique individual, and her interests is what makes her who she is. Do not attempt to throw in something on her extracurricular list just to make her look well rounded. The three extracurriculars I chose to feature all supported my entrepreneurship narrative in some way.
Second piece of advice for her- please, please, PLEASE put effort into your essays. I feel like my essays were a huge part of my acceptance. My essay authentic and accurately represented who I am as a person. Tell her to not be afraid to write about something weird- my 3 essays were about Monopoly, my Nigerian heritage, and a business I started. Don’t look at the essays as a way to show off- you will have plenty of space to do that on other parts of the application.
If you have any questions regarding more information regarding more personal things like extracurriculars, then feel free to PM me, or as me to PM you since you have less than 15 posts. Good Luck!
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@mssweeteaa I haven’t heard from CDB every since I turned in my application so I don’t think I have a chance.
@massweeteaa Love it - “Outside of the academics part of my application, my extracurriculars, quick takes and essays really shined.” Our experience with out two son’s have been that essays place a big role in admission to multiple offer from top prep school and top colleges. . That is why we have emphasized writing for our kids starting elementary school as writing brings clarity and in turn bring confidence. Plus extracurricular activities must be pursed what kids want rather than a laundry list.
@mssweeteaa That is very sound advice. I greatly appreciate your insight! Yes, please do PM me since I don’t have enough posts. I’d love to learn more. Thanks!
@casinoofny Exactly! Essays are key. Extracurriculars are key. Recommendations are key. And if you have a true passion, it will show throughout your application. Every part of my application screamed “She’s passionate about business!”.
Also, it’s great that you are emphasizing writing for your kids. I know so many parents who have their kids focus on STEM and pretty much neglect the humanities. I’ve always been more of a humanities person (for my state test, I got a 99 in ELA and an 86 in math), which is ironic considering the fact that I want to run a tech startup in the future. I actually wrote about it in one of my essays.
@KellyJoe I’ll PM you right now!
@heybri Check your whole inbox. If you didn’t make it in, you still would’ve gotten an email.
@mssweeteaa Thanks for the advice! I looked at my inbox history but I haven’t received anything. That’s why I was a bit confused since I haven’t received a rejection letter either.