Chance for Merit Scholarship

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

<p>I assume I have a very good chance of being accepted, but cost is an important factor for me. I am split on UIUC and UMich. I am in-state for UIUC, but I have been told I have a much greater chance for merit scholarships at UMich. How valid are my beliefs? And what range of merit financial aid should I expect to receive? And finally, how much will my acceptance/scholarships come down to my essay?</p>

<p>State: Illinois
-Do no qualify for need-based financial aid</p>

<p>Major: Chemical Engineering</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA: 3.85 (one 3.2 semester, straight A's 4 other semesters)
Weighted GPA: 4.58
Class rank: 15/908 (weighted) 28/908 (unweighted)
ACT: 33 (36 on Math)
SAT: 1990 (760 on Math)
SAT II (800 Math II and 790 Chem)</p>

<p>Courseload:
-Max number of possible AP and honors courses from my school
-10 AP classes</p>

<p>Senior schedule:
AP Literature (expected grade senior year: B, potential for a C)
AP Physics (expected grade senior year: A)
AP Psychology (expected grade senior year: A)
AP Biology (expected grade senior year: A)
AP Calculus BC (expected grade senior year: A)</p>

<p>On the 5 APs I have already taken:
5 - AP Macro
5 - AP Govt
4 - AP Chem
4 - AP US History
4 - AP English Lang & Comp</p>

<p>-AP Scholar with distinction
-I expect to win National AP Scholar (I expect 4s and 5s on all my senior AP exams besides AP Literature)</p>

<p>Extra Curriculars:
-3 years on Math Team (ICTM state participant sophmore and junior year)
-Scholastic Bowl (sophmore, junior, and maybe senior year)
-National Honor Society (community service hours from tutoring)
-Science Club (senior year)</p>

<p>Work Experience:
-Working every week since summer of 2010, 10-20 hours a week, plan to remain employed up until summer of 2012</p>

<p>Community Service:
-So far, only 30 hours, will graduate with 80+ as required by my school and NHS involvement</p>

<p>I could also get at least one very good letter of recommendation from my junior year math teacher.</p>

2

<p>I had VERY similar credentials to you (I am a freshman this year) and I got a 5k per year merit award for LSA. Don’t know how different it is for engineering.</p>

3

<p>Hm, thats not as much as I was hoping for. Are you in-state or OOS?</p>

4

<p>Oos .</p>

5

<p>Unfortunately, I really don’t think you’ll get substantial (if any) merit aid. There are many students with a 33/3.8+ and the other aspects of your application don’t really make you stand out that much. That said, I think you have a pretty good chance to be accepted.</p>

6

<p>Three years ago, my daughter higher SATs (1560/1600)/ 4.0 UW with eight APs. National Merit Scholar and National AP (of course after apps were in). Great ECs including two varsity sports. National award for language tests. NO merit money.</p>

7

<p>Pastorek, you have excellent qualifications, but if you are looking for a lot of merit money and financial aid, you will want to apply to several schools, including ones that may not be quite as rigorous or prestigious as umich. Your odds for getting merit increase at places where you are in the very top performance percentile. While you might very well receive merit at umich or Uica, I am hopeful that your strategy includes applying to additional schools to find a financial safety as well, which Michigan absolutely is not. Best wishes in your applications.</p>

8

<p>I’m expecting to do very well my senior year to optimize my shot at merit scholarships. My 2nd semester junior year was a blunder for me (1 C, 2 Bs, 2 As) and clearly not something I will repeat (let me just say…I changed my ways and grew up over summer).</p>

<p>While UMich remains my ideal choice, it inevitably comes down to money. I’m still hoping for at least some decent financial aid through other scholarships I apply for myself. On the other hand, I’m hoping for much greater merit aid at U of Wisconsin-Madison and U of Minnesota (which are actually ranked higher for chemical engineering, but I prefer the campus and prestige of UMich).</p>

<p>Anyways, thank you for the input!</p>

9

<p>Minnesota is worth a hard look for you, WAY cheaper oos than michigan and it’s in a great part of Minneapolis. Too close to home for me but I really liked it and of course it’s great if you’re set on chemE.</p>

10

<p>There are scholarships available for continuing students at Michigan too - many of which are easier to get than entrance scholarships.</p>