<p>Just the odd data point, a 2400 valedictorian with 14AP’s and dual enrollment Calculus 3 from our suburban high school was rejected by Washington U.</p>
<p>@styxandstones, unfortunately, I am not doing any research this summer, but I will do some personal math research next school year, partake in my state math contest next fal, and do the 5 national/math science competitions I have previously mentioned and hopefully do as well in them as I anticipate but they will be after I submit my app and I’m kind of banking on the admissions committee accepting these updates from January to very early March. I don’t know if it changes anything but I’m also doing a bunch of debate competitions next year and I might have a chance of making the national competition from my state next year on the first weekend of March. Also, yes, I am aiming for an area specific scholarship. Would I have a better shot at Compton, Moogs, or another one? Also, what do you mean by “dual scholar?” Finally, if you don’t mind me asking, what is your ethnicity?</p>
<p>Although a lot of people seem to be saying I <em>MIGHT</em> get in to WashU if I do everything right, it seems the general consensus is that getting a full tuition scholarship would be near impossible for me. Please post on whether I have a decent chance of getting a full tuition scholarship at WashU and which one I should go for. If you don’t think I can get it, please post alternative full ride/tuition scholarships that I could get at other universities ranked in the top 50 in the USNWR 2012 Rankings considering I can do all that I hope to next year.</p>
<p>A dual scholar means that I’m part of 2 scholarship programs. I’m hispanic, which probably helped me get into WashU. However, there were a few kids in my high school who also applied to WashU, are hispanic, and were ranked higher than me, and they were rejected admission. If I were you, I would apply to the area which you wish to pursue further research in because that’s part of your application. Also, I would highly recommend applying to some if not all of the school-wide scholarships. WashU likes to see that you’re interested in attending the school. If you show strong interest by applying for a few scholarships rather than just one, it could definitely help you at least reach the finalist round.</p>
<p>First, just to reiterate, you have a good shot at Wash U. Like styxandstones, I didn’t have great grades in high school (which I sort of “explained” by talking about how my volunteer position at my local hospital took over my life for two years), but I had decent test scores and extra-curriculars, though not as many academic ones as you, and I was accepted. That said, I also applied ED.
But, due to the fact that I received a merit scholarship, I believe that I would have been accepted RD anyway.
I did not get a full tuition scholarship, but I am receiving $20,000/yr which is almost half tuition, from the Ervin Scholarship.
The Ervin and Rodriguez Scholarships are both open to all students, but until recently were only for minority students, and it seems that still a large majority of scholars are minority student. They are also, I believe, two of the largest scholarship programs, so there are more full tuition scholarships available. And, as a minority writing an essay about being a minority both ethnically, religiously, and politically, you will have a good chance of getting one of those scholarships, though perhaps not full tuition. If your economic status demands a full tuition scholarship, then I suggest you look elsewhere, but if you could manage with a partial tuition scholarship, then you should apply to those scholarships. There are others that are specifically for your area of interest, but (as far as I know) they are a bit more competitive.</p>
<p>Among the top 50 universities on the USNWR rankings, USC arguably offers the best merit-based scholarships.</p>
<p>Ryan MK is right on the mark re second in state in TN (a good debate state) and from south = one of best debaters in south. Not trying to freak you out, lol. I debated in HS a long time ago and know how all encompassing it can be so that, in my view, many debaters have much more academic potential than their grades would suggest.</p>
<p>Haha, muckdogs07, I’m 99% sure that you’re a parent-coach. If so, thank you for the compliment ma’am or sir.</p>
<p>I’d really appreciate more input, especially on my chances on getting in and getting a full tuition scholarship, which one I should go for, and what else I should do besides the stuff already listed to maximize my chances of getting one.</p>
<p>I know the competition is VERY stiff, but does anyone think I might have a chance at getting a full tuition merit scholarship to USC?</p>
<p>Just curious but if your father is a doctor, why do you need a full ride?</p>
<p>My son is very similar to you - 2340 SAT, slightly better gpa, state champion in debate. Wondering if he’d get in RD.</p>
<p>And interest is very important to Wash U. They reject some people who they think are not going to come which is why they reject people with excellent stats.</p>
<p>Well, I have two siblings who also want to be doctors and my parents “insist” on paying for the education of my brothers and me. BTW, I visited Indiana University Bloomington and it seems like a fantastic fit for me. It’ll give me a chance to be more independent since I can hopefully get a full ride and have a job to cover all my expenses, have a much better college career by working hard but not having a cutthroat challenge, and be the best in my class so I can hopefully get into prestigious universities on merit scholarships for grad school. It’s my number one choice unless I get at least a full tuition scholarship from a top 20 US News university.</p>
<p>I’ve got a pretty important question. When College Board ask’s for your parental income on the net price calculators, is it looking for the net income (after taxes) or gross income (before taxes)?</p>
<p>You mean your parents insist on “not” paying for your education? If you get a free ride it’s not paying.</p>
<p>Call the fa office of the school you’re applying to and ask the if it’s net or gross. Probably gross.</p>
<p>There is a lot of “potential” ECs and awards. It’s hard to say anything when a lot of the facts are “potential” like assuming 100% grades Senior year and achieving Intel STS. Overall you are a strong candidate but not likely for a merit scholarship.</p>
<p>@amazon</p>
<p>Judging by the post (if gender was mentioned, I missed it, typing this out while waiting for a project to build at work) it seems that the parents will pay for tuition, it’s just he/she prefers to pay for his/her tuition for motivation to work hard in college, and also to be independent.</p>
<p>As for the net vs. gross income question, it most likely means gross income. Also, merit scholarships are difficult to come by at any top university. You’ll be competing with a lot of bright kids.</p>