Does anyone know of any Student who applied ED to Duke (and was accepted ) who went on to win the Robertson Scholarship? My son was nominated by his school for the scholarship, and Duke is his first choice, so early decision makes sense.
That said, we are concerned that the Robertson is used mainly as a recruiting tool, to pull kids away from other top schools. If the committee know that they “have” my son, will they not be as likely to offer him the scholarship?
I would never modify my college plans based upon a highly competitive scholarship. There are about 32 winners across two schools. Also, I don’t see on their website that you have to be nominated. It says an unlimited number from each high school can apply.
Thanks for your reply! I guess that some schools have some sort of partnership (I don’t think that is the right word) with the Robertson Committee and nominate a student every year (for the past two years our school’s nominees have gone on to win the scholarship but have turned it down to go to Stanford…lol).
We are willing to pay for Duke (not eligible for FA) but the scholarship would certainly be nice! Just wondering if more regular decision acceptances get the scholarship because they are being recruited away from other schools. Our guidance counselor checked with her contact for the Robertson and they were not willing to release the numbers to her.
You apply for the Robertson scholarship directly. You don’t need a nomination from your high school and there is no limit on the number of students that may apply from any given high school. It is a VERY competitive scholarship.
Admissions to Duke (or UNC) is separate from the scholarship competition. Duke’s Office of Admissions will sometimes refer candidates to the Robertson, but it’s best if you apply directly. When you apply to Duke, are also automatically considered for other merit scholarships such as the AB Duke (another a full ride). You can also apply for a Robertson during your freshman at Duke.
Only apply ED if Duke if all of the following are true: 1) Duke is your clear first choice; 2) you don’t have any financial considerations and are prepared to pay full cost; 3) you don’t need (or want) to compare any other offers; 4) you will never have any “What if _____ ?s” or "If only _____"s
Thanks for the replies! Duke is his first choice, so ED makes sense. He is committed to this choice, so regardless of any information I learn on this thread, he willing be applying ED to Duke this week! I was really just curious to know if anyone knew of anyone personally who applied ED to Duke and went on to win the scholarship.
You are correct, you don’t need a nomination to apply for the Robertson. However, some schools DO nominate students for the Robertson, just like some schools nominate students for the Morehead-Cain to Chapel Hill. Our school doesn’t nominate a student every year, just when they think a student manifests the qualities the Scholarship Committee is looking for.
In light of the 32/30000 likelihood of getting the scholarship, I find it astounding that our school has produced two Robertson Scholarship winners in the past two years.
@HarryBerry To answer your question based on anecdotal experience, there were a couple people I knew who received full ride scholarships to Duke that applied ED, but it’s very rare. So, it IS possible. I agree with you that it’s largely seen as a recruiting tool to pry really amazing candidates from other top schools, but Duke itself will claim they consider ALL applicants the same if you actually ask them the question. Considering Duke is his first choice, I think applying ED does make the most sense. It might decrease his chance of a Robertson scholarship, but nobody knows by how much. And I think he’d regret not applying ED if he gets rejected in the RD round, which is a possible outcome…
Robertson is usually given to students who may otherwise go to HYPSM. There is no reason for a private school to give merit scholarships to full-pay ED applicants. However, I do know of full-pay RD kids getting one of the full ride scholarships. It is a very competitive process and Duke admissions is getting harder every year. So, if you can comfortably afford full-pay then ED seems to be the best bet.
The Robertson Scholarship is a little unique in that they also open it up for matriculating 1st year students to apply as well to be considered for their last three years. So, if your child does get into Duke as an ED, and does not get the Robertson, they can apply as a Freshman. At that point, they do not even consider anything from the high school years, it is all based on what they have done since coming to school, as well as the same essays and interview process. It is completely separate from the traditional Robertson Scholarship, but other than not paying for the first year, everything else is the same. The applicant pool is also much smaller since it is only based off of currently matriculating students.
Thank you all for your comments. I heard exactly what I suspected, that applying ED may hurt his chances at getting the scholarship, but it is not an impossibility. Good to hear that he can apply again during his freshman year in the likely event that things don’t go his way this time around!
