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<p>There are others through CAS with Jan 15th deadlines (no nomination); but again very selective, 4 full tuition + stipend, 4 half tuition and 8 for 3k (writing):</p>
<p>[Scholarship</a> Programs At-A-Glance](<a href=“http://admissions.wustl.edu/scholarships/programs/Pages/default.aspx]Scholarship”>http://admissions.wustl.edu/scholarships/programs/Pages/default.aspx)</p>
<p>As far as Mich, there aren’t a huge number of scholarships, but I think your numbers would definitely put you in the running for them (if not the Shipman, then the Dean’s Scholarships in LSA–I believe they give out about 60–it’s half tuition.) I’d give it a try if the school otherwise fits the bill for you.</p>
<p>^And the good thing about UMichigan merit is: no additional applications.</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone! The Wash U. scholarships look very enticing; I’ll definitely apply. Same with Mich. I can’t go to college in New Orleans (parents won’t allow it–they have an anti-New Orleans prejudice), so I guess Tulane is out. 
I considered it for a while. William & Mary appeals to me, but is its scholarship program similar to the Jefferson scholars at U.Va, where you need to be from a certain school to apply? My school doesn’t qualify for these types of programs for whatever reason.</p>
<p>Is Chicago extremely unreliable with merit scholarships? And should I apply to a greater number of schools since I want merit scholarships, which are so hard to come by? I’m currently applying to around ten.</p>
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<p>Aww. I know fiction writing is a poorly-paying career, but I have no intention of going to soup kitchens, LOL. I guess if I go to Yale and take on too much debt, I want to go into college admissions as a backup career. Maybe I’ll become a guidance counselor. An MFA in short story writing is my dream, though.</p>
<p>By all means, apply to Chicago. I do not even know anyone other than my daughter who was admitted. I think that the merit money there is very competitive, but someone has to get it; who says it can’t be you?</p>
<p>:) Okay. Does your daughter attend UChicago? How intense is it? I’ve heard things about intensity that scare me a bit…</p>
<p>She did not get any money at Chicago. Pitt gave her $$$$, so she went to Pitt.</p>
<p>U Chicago does give merit aid (or used to, at least…)- you should try!
WUSTL has nice scholarships, though they are very competitive. But it is worth a try as well.</p>
<p>Okay, so I take it I should add UMich, UChicago, W&M and WUSTL to my list. How many more schools should I apply to, then? I’m currently at 10 schools not including these (five dream schools, three matches, and the aforementioned safeties to which I’ve already been accepted). Is 15 too many when one is searching for merit aid?</p>
<p>Should I attempt the Robertson, like bother to fill out the application and pay? I feel so daunted whenever I see the profiles of the actual scholars. :P</p>
<p>To add to what MD Mom said, above: There’s still time to apply to Pitt. With a 34 ACT you would be in the running for the full-tuition scholarship (not guaranteed, alas), and there’s no separate application. Vietnamese is taught, and the creative writing department is supposed to be very good. (Michael Chabon is a graduate; he was an English major.) The location is great, lots to see and do nearby. The only thing not on your list is the weather! My daughter is a junior, studying Japanese and psych, and she loves Pitt.</p>
<p>[LCTL</a> Center Languages](<a href=“http://www.lctl.pitt.edu/vietnamese.html]LCTL”>http://www.lctl.pitt.edu/vietnamese.html)</p>
<p>Have you checked out merit scholarships at Johns Hopkins?
[Hopkins</a> Undergraduate Admissions :: Financial Aid :: Merit Scholarships](<a href=“http://apply.jhu.edu/finaid/scholarships.html]Hopkins”>http://apply.jhu.edu/finaid/scholarships.html)</p>
<p>Or their writing programs?
[About</a> the Writing Seminars](<a href=“http://writingseminars.jhu.edu/about.html]About”>http://writingseminars.jhu.edu/about.html)</p>
<p>^Yes, I’ve definitely heard great things about Hopkins’ English department, although TBH their merit aid looks a bit too competitive.</p>
<p>Anyway, thanks for all the ideas! I <3 you parents! You’re all so helpful.</p>
<p>I guess my recommendation doesn’t warrant a comment…?</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Maybe the OP thinks you’re a parent, so you were thanked in her above comment.</p>
<p>It does, psych_. Thanks. 
I’ll definitely look into the University of Montana.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your advice! I’ve retooled my college list a bit to include more of these schools and fewer places that won’t really offer me merit aid.</p>
<p>I think the Robertson is about the most competitive in the nation, even more so than Michigan’s Shipman IMO. It’s been several years since I looked at profiles of the winners, but I seem to remember that they had extremely strong, focused ECs, with leadership and service being very important. They’re usually published, so give them a look.</p>
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<p>My D1 is considering applying for an MFA in CW too, and at least most of the programs provide a lot of financial support through fellowships, stipends, assistantships and tuition waivers. Some, like Columbia, are full pay, but many more are like Michigan:</p>
<p>[U-M</a> English MFA Program: Financial Aid Support for MFA Graduate Students](<a href=“http://www.lsa.umich.edu/english/grad/finSupport/mfa.asp]U-M”>http://www.lsa.umich.edu/english/grad/finSupport/mfa.asp)</p>
<p>Hang in there and good luck!</p>
<p>P.S. About the number of applications, 15 including merit scholarships is a lot. D1 did 11, including separate merit applications for WUSTL & Emory, and that was a lot of time.</p>
<p>There are schools you can attend for free as a National Merit Semifinalist. And with your record, the list of schools that will fight it out for you should be significant.</p>
<p>I’d be shocked if you had to pay much to go to Madison with your record.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Okay. I don’t think I’ll bother with the Robertson, but there are three or four schools I’ll add to my list. Do you think I need to apply by November 1 to be in contention for scholarships at Michigan? I know they say the earlier, the better, but I couldn’t really find anything about it on their site.</p>
<p>I love the city of Madison, but I know it really well (many friends go to the UW). I’d prefer to explore Iowa City or Tuscaloosa over Madison, and I know I’ll get more aid at Bama and Iowa than I would at Madison.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>I agree. Even with great scores, many other states don’t give great merit to all/most of their awesome applicants.</p>
<p>I know that’s shocking to many, but most states have to limit all/most aid to “need” students only.</p>
<p>I just sent in my housing form for UIowa. If I don’t get into my top choices (and possibly even if I do, depending upon the aid and outside scholarships I receive), I will probably attend. Thanks! I am applying to several schools from this thread also.</p>