<p>From what I've heard so far, I really like Rutgers. Luckily, it's a relatively inexpensive school, but I want to avoid loans and debt completely, so I'll be going wherever the I can get the price the lowest. To my understanding, the presidential is a full ride, so it's more or less my dream scholarship. I've the basic requirements on the site, so I've got a general idea of what I need, but I'm just looking for a bit of advice here.</p>
<p>So I'm going into my senior year, in-state. I don't think I'll qualify for much "need-based" aid, and I'm not a minority either.</p>
<p>My school's GPA system is odd, but I've gotten straight As every year, all honors/ AP, so that'd be somewhere around a 4.0, right?</p>
<p>2150 SAT score at my last test, but with studying I'm pretty sure that I can get it up to a 2250-2300.</p>
<p>Around 4/5 extracurriculars, and I've kept with them for several years.</p>
<p>Also, would you apply specifically for the scholarship? I know the FAFSA is for federal aid, so I don't think it would apply to this, would it? And do they notify whether or not you've gotten it along with the acceptance letter, or after you've enrolled?</p>
<p>Sorry, lots of questions, but thank you!</p>
<p>If you have straight As, then for all intents and purposes, you have a 4.0. Every school is different, so the 4.0 requirement isn’t exactly cut and dry. My school only did weighted grades and it was based on a 100 point scale, for example.</p>
<p>Presidential Scholarship is in no way determined by financial need; it is a purely merit based scholarship. You don’t apply specifically for the scholarship. You just apply, get accepted, and then receive a scholarship notice later with what scholarship Rutgers is willing to offer you. You should fill out the FAFSA anyway even if you’re not gonna get any financial aid based on need.</p>
<p>As far as the requirements go, you pretty much want to have a 4.0 GPA, be at the very top of your class, and have an SAT of 2300+. The website says 2250 minimum, but I have seen people with less receive the Presidential Scholarship as well as people with higher not receive it, so take that as you will. Also, you need to do the essay on the application if you want merit scholarship consideration (but that’s a no brainer). You can apply to up to 3 different schools within Rutgers, and thus you may get a Presidential Scholarship offer in one but not the others, etc so keep that in mind when applying.</p>
<p>From personal experience, I applied before the “early action” deadline (it was the first year they did it, idk if they have it anymore, but it was like November 1st I want to say) and only to the School of Engineering. I was accepted about two or three weeks later. I then received scholarship notification the week before Christmas and got the Presidential.</p>
<p>Thank you so much! </p>
<p>And you found out that quickly? Wow, looks like I’ll be applying early action as well. Thanks!</p>