Do I have a shot at an Emory scholarship?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Emory University
1

<p>Emory would be a great place for me to go; however, the price tag is out of my range...thus, a scholarship is necessary in order for me to attend...please let me know whether you think it would be worth my while to apply to the Emory Scholars program.</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>White Caucasian Male
Tennessee resident
SAT: C.R.-- 670, Math-- 720, Writing--790 (essay=12)
APs: Chemistry-- 5
U.S. History-- 5
Biology-- 4
English Language-- 4
SAT II: Chemistry-- 740 U.S. History-- 750
I will be taking 5 APs next year, including Calc BC and Physics C (both of which I know I will make 5s in, although Emory won't see that until after the scholarship deadline)
GPA: 4.15 out of possible 4.3
Class rank: ~6 out of 170 at private prep school (McCallie)
National Merit Finalist and possible Recipient (PSAT score=229)
Participant in Tennessee State Math Contest
American English Teachers Essay Contest nominee (they said it would be a great honor to put this on an app...?)
DAR History Essay Contest</p>

<p>Extra-Curriculars:
2 years of crew (4 seasons) -- 2 Varsity letters and 1 JV letter (4 gold medals, 2 silver, 1 bronze: our crew ranked #1 in Southeast both years)
1 year weights & conditioning
Editor-in-chief of the literary magazine
Editor of school newspaper
V.P. of Young Republicans
Letterman's Society
Amnesty International
Missionary Comittee
2 years of Classical Guitar study including 4 major public concerts
School-wide Bible award
Youth Leadership of Chattanooga (prestigious group of selected high school leaders)--includes over 40 hrs of community service
Job-- during school= 15 hrs a week, during summer and breaks-- 35-40 hrs a week
Summer study at William and Mary (National Institute of Early American History and Diplomacy...3 weeks)
Nursing home volunteer for 3 years through church
2 summer mission trips (FL for hurricane damage, MN for repairs to church)</p>

<p>I have an abounding interest in Emory...I have visited the campus and I hope to sit-in on a class eventually...I know my SAT needs a little improving, but excluding that, what do you think? Thanks for the input. </p>

<p>Chris</p>

2

<p>I'm not sure if anyone here wold be qualified to answer this. I got one and I have no idea. No harm in trying :)</p>

3

<p>gchris07,</p>

<p>Your profile looks very good; however, your SAT Reasoning Test score is a bit low by comparison to other Emory Scholars Program candidates in the past. I'm sure you're familiar with the process they take, and if not go to the ESP website and find out more. In your case, you would do well to register for the October SAT test date and retake the Reasoning Test. In the past, the combined SAT I score was right around 1500 (Math/CR). The new SAT test includes Writing, and nobody has quite determined how to deal with the 3rd testing component, but since you scored 790 on that portion, it's the least of your concerns. In re-taking, perhaps you can bring up your CR and Math scores (now currently a combined 1390). You are probably near the cusp of the initial cut-off point, without factoring in your other EC's. </p>

<p>At the beginning of the school year, see your Guidance Counselor and tell him/her that you want to be nominated for the Emory Scholars Program (Emory sends out their packets to the high schools in September, and if by mid-September, you have not heard anything, call Emory and then check again with your GC.) Each h.s. is limited to 4 nominees. It requires a separate application, along with the Emory admissions app., all due on Nov. 1.</p>

<p>You've got a chance based on the information you've provided, but it will help GREATLY to bring up your SAT scores. As well, you will need to knock them over with your essays on the ESP app. If you make the initial cut-off for ESP, you are a "semi-finalist" and will be pooled into a group for further review. After more waiting, Emory will identify "finalist" applicants, who will be invited to the Emory campus (they foot the expense) for tours, interviews, etc. They will then make their final decisions on scholarships from partial tuition to full-ride. </p>

<p>If you are chosen as a semi-finalist, you are also considered "accepted" into Emory. Also, there are some semi-finalists who will receive partial tuition scholarships as well. These may be renewable and help to ease the financial dent. In your case, because of the financial concerns, you will want to apply Regular Decision (RD) vs. Early Decision (ED), which is binding commitment. Also, begin the process of looking at financial aid. Emory is well-endowed as a university and may be in the position of offering you a combination of need-based financial aid (grants, loans, work-study), as well as a possible merit scholarship -- even without being named an Emory Scholar.</p>

<p>Go to my earlier post on "Tips" to applicants for class of 2007 for more information. Good luck to you!</p>

4

<p>When I take the SAT again in October, should I focus solely on the Math and C.R. since I already have bagged a 790? Or does Emory not compile one's three best scores in determining one's eligibility for admission/scholarships?</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
When I take the SAT again in October, should I focus solely on the Math and C.R. since I already have bagged a 790? Or does Emory not compile one's three best scores in determining one's eligibility for admission/scholarships?

[/quote]

Yes, prepare for only the Math and CR. Emory does in fact allow for aggregate scores, so you've already done very well on the Writing component. Put a lot of attention toward prepping for the other two components.</p>

<p>Incidentally, I don't think I was very clear on this. I think you stand an excellent chance of being accepted to Emory -- even if you do nothing more. However, if you want to be considered for ESP, you are up against stiffer competition. Discuss your situation with the Financial Aid Office at Emory regarding your personal financial situation. If you are eligible for need-based financial aid, you will have to submit the College Board's CSS PROFILE application (due in early 2007) AND the FAFSA application (due in April). Each application serves to determine how Emory's Financial Aid Office will calculate financial aid from different sources. They utilize their own version of an Institutional Method and the Federal Method for determining "financial need", based on your family's income and financial assets. The calculated financial need is what they use to provide financial assistance, generally coming in the form of grants, loans and work-study. So, if you are that interested in Emory, there are options available to you.</p>

<p>Good luck, again.</p>

6

<p>Since the deadline for the submission of scholarship materials is Nov. 1, will it even matter what my results on the SAT I (Oct. 14) are, since my results will not be available prior to the deadline?</p>

7

<p>the october scores will still count. the scholar semi final decisions are not let out until the end of january so you have time.</p>

8

<p>
[quote]
Since the deadline for the submission of scholarship materials is Nov. 1, will it even matter what my results on the SAT I (Oct. 14) are, since my results will not be available prior to the deadline?

[/quote]

I believe that Emory accepts the October test scores for the Nov. 1 deadline for application to the Emory Scholars Program and the admissions application. Though the application deadline is Nov. 1, they will continue to accept SAT scores sent in later by the College Board. Double check with the admissions department, and they will verify.</p>

9

<p>If you boost your Math/CR up a good amount, you have a shot at getting some merit money.</p>

10

<p>Ok...thanks everyone wish me luck.</p>

11

<p>So does Emory offer merit awards to applicants who have not applied to the Emory Scholars Program?</p>

<p>If so, can anyone describe how much of an award is given versus SAT scores (eg) ?</p>

12

<p>They are few and far between. There is no merit aid for good grades outside the scholar program, as far as I'm aware. There is money for things like debate, etc. that are more specialized.</p>

13

<p>All I know is people who were accepted to Emory Scholars had average gpa of 3.9+ uw and old sat of 1550 -(Finalists). You can possibly get money as a semi-finalist.</p>

<p>I think you can get money outside of Scholars - but I haven't seen anyone get it.</p>

14

<p>dgebll,</p>

<p>There are in fact specialized scholarships available at Emory for areas such as Debate and Music for a select few incoming freshmen. However, in the process of applying to the Emory Scholars Program, if an applicant is made one of the 350 "semi-finalists", s/he may be a recipient of a scholarship even if NOT made a "finalist" for ESP. This is why it behooves anybody with a good chance for competing at an elite academic level to get nominated by his/her H.S. and apply to the program. As with anything else, there are hoops to jump through, deadlines to meet, added energy/recommendations/essays to deal with, but the potential tangible reward at the end of the road will make up for it. The Admissions department at Emory clearly does not broadcast some of these "other" merit scholarships, based partly on the fact that they are discretionary in nature, and not all semi-finalists will receive merit aid. I believe they do this for those students who were borderline "finalist" and/or who demonstrate a set of extraordinary circumstances that are compelling to them. For the 150 "finalists" of ESP, the minimal scholarship awarded is a two-thirds tuition scholarship (worth about $21,400/yr. renewable for up to 4 years = $85,600.). The highest scholarships are the full-ride scholarships, covering all university expenses. With all of these awards, there is the stipulation of maintining a minimum 3.2 GPA.</p>

<p>Futher reference on Emory Scholars Program: <a href="http://www.emory.edu/ADMISSIONS/admission-aid/emory-scholars.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.emory.edu/ADMISSIONS/admission-aid/emory-scholars.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

15

<p>Here's a link to a partial list of Emory scholarships:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.college.emory.edu/current/achievement/scholars/prospective.html#1%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.college.emory.edu/current/achievement/scholars/prospective.html#1&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

16

<p>That's what I meant NorCalDad. It wasn't a clear enough answer. There are no merit based scholarships outside of the Scholars Program. There are other scholarships for special talents such as debate, music, etc. that are not a part of the scholar program. There are no athletic scholarships, either.</p>

17

<p>dgebll,</p>

<p>No problem... I only wish I could always be clear! ;)</p>

<p>Good point about no athletic scholarships as long as we were discussing scholarships.</p>

<p>What year are you in at Emory, and how has your experience been thus far?</p>

18

<p>There are a few awards, like the debate and music ones, that don't require school nomination and are awarded independent of the selection process for other Emory Scholars, but on campus, all the merit scholarship students, including students receiving the debate and music awards, are Emory Scholars and can fully participate in the program.</p>

19

<p>Sylvan, good point... the Debate and Music scholarships, while they do not require the student's H.S. to nominate for Emory Scholars Program, they are indeed considered part of the Emory Scholars Program -- which has some choice privileges and perks.</p>

<p>Also, for those students who are NOT Emory Scholars, there are about 20-25 Dean's Achievement Scholarship awards available subsequent to admission. These go to rising sophomores/juniors and are awarded by application/faculty recommendation. Those students at 3.9+ GPA are automatically sent an application in the Spring. Recipients of the Dean's Achievement awards are also then considered part of the Emory Scholars Program as well.</p>