Do I have a shot at the Morrill?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Ohio State University
1

Just not sure if I’m “enough” of a minority to present a compelling picture to adcoms. I’m planning on writing the essay about being Indian/a semi-immigrant (I actually lived there for a while which I think sets me apart from your average 2nd gen kid) as well as a member of the LGBT community in a very white, conservative area. However, my family’s upper-middle class, Indians are an ORM, etc etc, and my ECs are lackluster, so I’m a little iffy.

Here are my stats:

GPA: UW 4.0 / W 4.15
Class rank: 1/200
ACT: 35 (34 M / 33 R / 35 E / 36 S)
APs: US History (5), Calc AB (5), Bio (4); this year I’m taking AP Stats, Chem, Gov, and Lit
Major Awards: National Merit Semifinalist, likely Finalist

ECs:
Varsity academic quiz team (9-12)
Choir (10-12, president 10, section leader 12, also in school’s selectively a cappella group)
Theatre (10-12, bunch of stuff including stage managing, directing award-winning one-acts, running lights, serving on committees etc)
Model UN (9-10)
NHS (11-12)
Piano (6 years)
This year I’ll also have a job and some volunteer work on a political campaign to add to that list

Again, my main concern is my ECs, which are…not great or related to my minority status. Essay should be good, but not sure if it’ll override other weaknesses in my app.

Any idea how likely it is that I’ll get one of the Morrill scholarships?

2

From what I’ve seen and know as a current applicant, whether you get it or not is really determined by the impact of your essay.

3

@redandblack your stats are high enough for consideration for the Eminence scholarship. You should also apply for that. Your essay is an important part of the selection process for this scholarship.

4

@trackmbe3 stats-wise, I do, but I don’t think my ECs are good enough for it. I’d apply, but it requires applying for Honors instead of Scholars and I’d really like to apply for Scholars this year.

5

Indians aren’t an ORM at OSU, though. OSU doesn’t have any minorities who are overrepresented because they don’t have many minorities at all.

And I agree that you should apply for the highest scholarship you can. You should always apply for the highest scholarship you can. The worst they can do is turn you down.