<p>What chance do I have of getting a significant Merit award??</p>
<p>Caucasian Male,
Island off the coast of Maine,
First Generation,
Need lots of Financial Aid</p>
<p>GPA: 3.86
SAT Reading: 800
SAT Math: 650
SAT Writing: 690</p>
<p>Total: 1450/2140</p>
<p>Good EC's
Some state awards</p>
<p>Excellent chance, it seems to me. The "anecdotal" threshold I heard was 1400, though I heard from someone here on this site that others below that got some. That may be the "usual suspects" of local catholic prep schools, I don't know. But you have an excellent gpa, excellent SAT and some good EC's and being first generation.</p>
<p>Well done. I hope it works out for you. Fordham is an OUTSTANDING school and lots of fun. (Though you will work very hard. Its NOT a party school.)</p>
<p>Oh and apply EARLY ACTION. Pay attention to DEADLINES!</p>