Any in state Monroe scholars? Congratulations to all recipients!
@tsbna44 , there are definitely many more acceptances to come. The acceptance letter specifically states: “You are receiving this admission letter early, because I want you to know immediately that you would be an outstanding student at William & Mary who could benefit from the additional resources offered to Monroe Scholars.”
And yes, Monroe includes $3,000 in research funding and specific housing, etc.
Good luck!
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No clue. It is the only public school on my list. All of the private schools have merit money for lowering tuition costs, not sure how public ones work.
I saw the FB group for W&M Class of 2025. Any FB groups for parents of Class of 2025? Been really helpful for other accepted schools.
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Yes, Tidewater, ED1 selection.
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What date are we expecting decisions?
I am sure this probably sounds like sour grapes since we got neither a cypher nor a scholarship notice, but I have to say my feelings about W&M have really taken a hit seeing how they do their acceptances with all these “sneak peeks” for some and not all.
So already, even before admissions decisions, we know there are 3 tiers of kids (or at least W&M acts as though there are): the first- and second-class cypher postcards recipients, the Monroe scholars, and then I guess what will make up steerage, everyone else who is admitted but doesn’t get to find out till later.
All the other places DS has applied have been much more transparent about scholarship timelines, etc., and there isn’t a sense of certain kids being given super-secret insights into the process before official notifications. Not a fan, I have to say, it makes me a little concerned this kind of stratification is going to continue throughout all four years.
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Did any Monroe Scholars or postcard recipients NOT submit test scores? I’m curious if this puts those without access to testing at a disadvantage, since pretty much everyone who has posted stats included a test score. Thanks!
@chunkylegs I have an OOS junior at W&M. It isn’t like that at all.
One Tribe, One Family
and they mean it!!
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My son did not submit scores and received a cypher postcard.
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I get it but a lot of schools do this…I know Vanderbilt just did…
All I can tell you is that for our family, W&M does not feel stratified at all. My D19 is a sophomore there and D21 will go next year. They didn’t get any scholarship or special notices, but they didn’t mind as everyone at W&M is clearly very smart and capable. D19 says she has no idea what students on campus might be Monroe scholars—it’s not a small school, and the students tend to be humble and kind.
With that said, as a parent, I know how it feels to read a bunch of posts where other people’s kids are getting awards. I remember when my D21 spent months working on her poetry for Scholastic, and she didn’t win anything. But here on CC, every single person who posted in the Scholastic thread won multiple Gold Keys, Silver Keys, medals, scholarships etc. Ouch.
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@Bearboys Emory did, too.
I teach at W&M and my son has applied. He hasn’t received a postcard nor is he going to be a Monroe scholar from the looks of it. Monroe scholars is the Honors program, which cannot be for all students. Trust me when I say as a faculty member that all kids are treated equally and we take great care of them. Also most of them are nothing short of amazing.
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I understand why you may be feeling this way. Remember, over 90% of W&M students are not Monroe Scholars. And most do not receive cypher postcards. CC is a small sampling of the larger applicant group. As a former student, I never felt that there was a sense of stratification. Conversely, I felt as though there was overarchingly a “team approach” - a feeling of mutual respect amongst extremely intelligent, hard-working scholars. Once classes start, it really becomes difficult to pick out who is “Monroe” and who isn’t. The majority of W&M students are brilliant. I never felt as though there was any bias/special treatment from faculty etc.
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Yeah, what I liked about Vanderbilt is they emailed everyone, including those who did not receive a scholarship. That’s what I mean by transparency. It doesn’t leave 95% of the class wondering where they stand
Thanks for the reply! I can’t say at least some of it isn’t hurt feelings. But, I guess that’s kind of my point too – the process seems expressly designed to make some feel especially good by getting a “special” notice that is denied to others. I do appreciate your kind reply!!
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I totally understand where you are coming from- either tell everyone or no one but this has happened to almost all of the schools that my son has applied to. I was using Vanderbilt as an example as only the kids who got scholarships found out they were admitted to Vanderbilt but everyone else is still waiting the admissions decision. The people denied scholarships found out they didn’t make the scholarship but didn’t find out if they were admitted to Vanderbilt. And one had to specifically apply for the Vanderbilt scholarships with separate essays so it is different than the Monroe designation. And Vanderbilt sends out likely letters/packets as well separate from the scholarships so there are alot of kids out there who know they are in but most have no idea. My son did not get one nor did he apply for the scholarship so it is the same for him- all these people posting got in and he hasn’t heard anything from them. As I said, this has happened to pretty much all the schools he has applied to- kids finding out at different times. The whole college process is long and difficult! Hang in there!
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Thank you so so much for your comment. Our son was blessed with the Monroe invitation and is in the 1693 process. He’s really interested and excited- so are we- but gosh it’s far from home and he wouldn’t know a soul, and my mom-heart worries a little, even though he’s ready. He’s applied to some really competitive schools, but nothing has felt right to me yet until just now when your kind words just made me feel like W&M might just be the warm, positive yet highly academic environment we’ve been hoping for. Thank you so much. 
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A couple of thoughts to share:
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Got this nugget during an admissions presentation at an elite LAC a few years back: like it or not, admissions committees aren’t selecting the most impressive students, rather they are selecting the most impressive records.
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Sports analogy time: Even the most casual sports fans in the US (and many abroad as well) have at least a passing familiarity with the NFL draft. Like the college admissions process, there is a lot of hype, a lot of angst about being chosen, lots of statistics bandied about, and no shortage of consultants who are willing to provide advice for a fee. Selections are made based on an individual’s known record and the perception of how that might translate into future performance at the next level. The top 10 picks in the draft are treated differently, with several anticipated high picks being invited to the event in-person and given VIP treatment; these are equivalent to the 1693 Scholars. Other top players are given large signing bonuses and favorable contracts as first-round draftees; these are akin to the Monroe Scholars. Other excellent players have records that while solid, are less eye-catching due to a variety of reasons and are drafted in lower rounds; these are equivalent of the bulk of admitted students. Some players, despite their best efforts, go undrafted, but get invited to training camps as free agents; these are similar to students admitted off the waitlist. Lastly, there are players who go undrafted and have there careers in football reach an end; these are students who wind up going elsewhere or pursue other lifepaths. How things shake out for someone in the NFL draft/college admissions process don’t necessarily predict that person’s future. Very few college football players make it to the NFL, have lengthy careers, and make it to the Hall of Fame. Peyton Manning (#1 overall pick, 1693 Scholar equiv), Tom Brady (6th round pick, typical admitted student equiv), and Kurt Warner (undrafted free agent, waitlist equiv) all have had Hall of Fame careers but took very different routes to get there. Warner was working as a night manager at a supermarket and playing arena football when he got the invitation for one last NFL shot that ultimately changed his life. Ed O’Neill (Married with Children, Modern Family) was drafted by Pittsburgh out of college, but didn’t make the cut; he went on to have a terrific acting career. Likewise Academy Award winner Tommy Lee Jones, who played at Harvard but was not NFL material.
The bottom line is to be thankful for the opportunities you do get – don’t dwell on what didn’t work out – and make the most of them. Luck = preparation + opportunity. Mahalo.
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