<p>That was her first ACT score from December of her junior year, her second ACT was a 34. In addition, she took 3 SAT II tests and received a 740 (Spanish), 760 (US History) and 800 in English. Her SAT score was 2310. She needed the SAT and SAT II scores for the schools she applied to on the East Coast. She is currently number 6 in a class of 643 at a very competitive high school. If she did not take a music class (Choir) she would most likely be 1st or second as the kids who take an additional honors class or AP, instead of music, have an advantage since it is weighted. In addition she received 3 5's and a 4 on her AP tests junior year. Just would like to see the stats as my EFC from the FAFSA is extremely high, I still wonder. In the long run I don't think it will matter as St. Olaf is number 3 or 4 on the list. That is kind of sad since she had wanted to attend St. Olaf since 8th grade but the overnight visit (we had toured the campus several times prior) just didn't do it for her. When she opened the letter even she said that 4 years ago this would have been the happiest day of her life. At least if she doesn't attend St. Olaf it will free up $7,500 a year for someone else. She should make her decision in about 2 weeks. We have one more overnight visit to go....</p>
<p>My D also got her letter today. Also $7500 Presidential, as well as invitation to music scholarship auditions. She loves St. Olaf, but we're thinking this probably isn't enough to tip the boat that way. If she got the top music award, it would only bring the cost close to what other schools are offering, so I can't see it working out. Too bad, because she, too, has loved St. Olaf for several years. Walks around singing "Um, yah, yah".</p>
<p>D also was received acceptance today. Nothing about merit aid...was everyone else's in the same envelope with acceptance? Kind of surprising because D was receiving great offers from other similar schools.</p>
<p>I received my acceptance today, but also got nothing about merit aid. I applied for music (voice) and didn't get anything -positive or negative- about that either. Haha, maybe that's a bad sign.</p>
<p>Acceptance and merit were in same packet (larger envelope.) Music info was in letter size envelope that was mailed separately.</p>
<p>Ah, ok that's good to know. Thanks.</p>
<p>Yes, merit aid was in the same envelope. What do you think they do with the merit money that is not used? For instance, if my daughter does not make her decision until late April it will free up $7,500 per year in scholarship money. All aid packages have been awarded by then, do you think parents who negotiate with the Financial Aid office receive a chunk. Don't know what made me think of this but this situation has to occur at colleges across the country.</p>
<p>Daviban: </p>
<p>In the normal course of admissions, offers are made including FA grants, Merit scholarships, work study to many more students than could ever fit into the college (any college not just St Olaf). </p>
<p>The reasonable anticipation is that a certain % of those admitted will attend. The bet that all colleges make is that they will get the admission 'yield' that will fill their first year class with the approximate number to fulfill their expectations. </p>
<p>The 'Wait List' is used to supplement the 'yield' and to provide whatever unique qualities (music/dance/arts/science/pre-law/language/etc) that would 'fill out' the total mix of first year students.</p>
<p>If the 'yield' is greater than anticipated, the
Wait List' is not used.</p>
<p>As for the $$$, the college is making a bet that xyz grants and merit scholarships will be commited to those students that decide to attend.</p>
<p>Some years, more $$$ are needed and other years less$$$. There is no 'left overs' in the sense that they must spend or lose any $$$,</p>
<p>If more $$$ is needed they get in from the college's resources, if less then that $$$ stays available for multiple items.</p>
<p>While some negotiation (usually based on altered circumstances of the applicant) is possible, the 'unused' Merit or grant $$$ is not 'wasting in the wind, nor is the FA/Admission offices under any pressure to 'spend'.</p>
<p>hey everyone who is wondering about buntrock scholar stats: i'm a buntrock scholar and i'm pretty sure it isn't based on academic performance alone. my stats are:</p>
<p>SAT: 2120
ACT: 29
GPA: 3.94 unweighted</p>
<p>Public School, 1400 students,
rank: 3/330
Full International Baccalaureate Candidate
Honors Diploma Candidate</p>
<p>All AP and IB classes Junior/Senior Year
spanish fluency</p>
<p>Extras:
Columnist for teen section of regional paper, sophomore and junior year
Lobbyist, DC Senate (Women's right to choose, comprehensive sex ed in public schools)
Half-time employment sophomore-senior year
Senior Year Internship at UCC Church (uber liberal. yay!)
President, Key Club
VP, National Honor Society
Varsity Track and Varsity Soccer freshman and sophomore years
Winner, National High School Poetry Contest
Future First Citizen, Chamber of Commerce
Amateur salsa dancing....yeah.
Peace Jam International Delegate (Nobel Peace Laureates like the Dalai Lama and Rigoberta Menchu Tum plus high school/college kids.)
Jazz Choir
Musical Theatre</p>
<p>so i'm crazy. but its totally worth it, and i'm fairly certain that buntrock is based on a variety of factors other than academics. mine are okay, but my ACT score is gross and my SAT math was not exactly fabulous.</p>
<p>erinaguila - Is St. Olaf uberliberal?</p>
<p>welll.... i am from eugene, oregon (we love hippies, social justice, veganism, and the country fair). So from my perspective, olaf isn't nearly as liberal as i am used to and have grown to love, but it is definitley not a war or bush loving place. One of the reasons I chose to sttend st olaf was the relative political balance- as a very liberal person in the pacific northwest, most nearby colleges would nurture rather than challenge my political and social beliefs. i believe that olaf will do both.</p>
<p>
[quote]
most nearby colleges would nurture rather than challenge my political and social beliefs. i believe that olaf will do both
[/quote]
Very eloquent. My d shares your feelings, but from the other side. She spent 3 years in Germany, continually having to defend her conservative (comparitively) views. While she also does not want to be completely surrounded by like-minded folk, she would like to not have to be completely isolated from anyone who thinks like she does. Been there, done that.</p>
<p>Forgive my length here. It's my first post ever to one of these forums, and I'm a bit stunned at the intensity of the parental "support" in evidence.
Regarding the statement: "I was told it was based solely on academic performance in high school," in reference to the $12K-a-year Buntrock Scholarship, I was told, and I read, and my daughter is experiencing, almost the opposite. High academic standing is, for sure, a prerequisite for ELIGIBILITY but, according to the St. Olaf Web site, the Buntrock SELECTION is based on much more:</p>
<p>"Eligibility for the Buntrock awards is based primarily on academic performance in high school, and the selection is highly competitive... In addition to a consistent and high quality academic record, weighting is given to participation in extra-curricular activities.... St. Olaf is looking for energy and initiative, independence, originality, a sense of humor, and concern for others. Because so many strong students apply for these, the essays you write can become very important. They are given as much weight as any other single factor in determining final awards."</p>
<p>My daughter is a finalist for a Buntrock. Winning one is critically important to St. Olaf being affordable for her, and indeed, even that won't assure it. She returned yesterday from the "Scholar's Weekend" visit and competitive interviews for finalists. Having heard her recap of her interview, it's clear to me that once a candidate's academic credentials are established, and they are for ALL of the finalists, the decision is based pretty much on non-academic factors. It sounds to me like St. Olaf truly is asking the question: "If this kid, with all this potential, comes here and enjoys the incredible privilege of receiving the kind of undergraduate education we offer, will he or she express gratitude by making things better for fellow students while he or she is here and, more importantly, by making the world a better place after graduation?"</p>
<p>Another observation she made is offered here as a caution to hyper-involved parents: The kids whose parents attended the event with them AND were of the hovering, extra-"supportive" type, were most likely be "freakishly nervous" and report later they were nearly paralyzed by fear during their interviews. That reminds me of something I learned while coaching 10-year-olds in rec-league soccer: When selecting girls for a free kick shootout to settle a tie match, shy away from the ones whose parents are more, and more vocally, invested in the outcome than is the team. Those kids don't need any more pressure.</p>
<p>Wow, strong first post. My d was accepted to schools ranked much higher then St. Olaf who also required a great deal of community involvement. I still believe that St. Olaf looks at the financial situation and selects those students first who demonstrate need as the school will meet it anyway. Those who do not need, or qualify, for financial aide may get in if spots are available. I am not saying your d is not qualifed but I think that the school having the CSS profile plays into the decision as to who interviews for the Buntrock. Just my opinion, doesn't mean much. Unless there is some natural disaster St. Olaf is off our list but this still burns me. </p>
<p>FYI - I do not hover and am not a helicopter parent. Do not have the time. My daughter has traveled all over the world, literally, without me. She is one of the most independent 17 year olds you will ever meet. She attended most of her college weekends on her own.</p>
<p>Daviban: </p>
<p>Do hope your D enjoys the 'higher ranked' school. Lucky for St Olaf that the students who accept their admission offers seem to thrive at the school and remain Ole's for life.</p>
<p>I was a Buntrock Finalist and it seems from the other posts that selection is subjective overall. They might not be only looking for the highest academics, I would not consider myself to be a completely top student, certainly not much better than other applicants, many of which are HIGHLY competant students. I know students that are very bright, had great EC's, etc. and did not recieve any money at all. I don't exactly know why I was picked over other students, I would assume that my essay, which I liked very much, and my minority status might have had something to do with it. Even though I had an excellent time at scholarship day and was very taken with how friendly and kind everyone was, including my interviewers, recieving a scholarship is crucial to my attending the college as well. Does anyone know when applicants find out about it? I would guess well before the May 1 deadline.....</p>
<p>Oh, and just in case anyone cares here are my stats....
ACT: 33
SAt: 2180
GPA: 11.27/12 uw, 12.1 w
High school doesn't rank, but my rank is: 68/720 weighted, dunno unweighted
8AP's, two 5's and a 4 last year
National Merit Commended
Scuba Certified
360 volunteer hours at community hospital
90 hours other volunteer service
Cross country, letters, captain
Track
Minority</p>
<p>meganvirg, I said my daughter was accepted at higher rated schools, I did not say she was attending any of them. Frankly, I am not so sure that she will attend college at all, at least not next year. St. Olaf was always a safety but a "good fit" is the most important thing. The prestige of the college one attends really means nothing in the long run. As far as your comment that Olaf grads remain Oles for life this is true at most small LAC's. Check out the alumni giving stats for most small schools and you will see that most students support the college for life. Isn't that why people pay so much more, to have that personal experience? St. Olaf is a good school and I have never stated otherwise, it just does not work for her which was disappointing. She could not see herself living there for 4 years, she was bored at her overnight visit. We live in a city so maybe that is why it didn't work. Also thought it was strange that the host was not allowed to take the students off campus, my daughter would have loved to attend the hockey game, maybe that would have made a difference.</p>
<p>Daviban:</p>
<p>Whatever your D decides, good luck to her!</p>
<p>daviban, why do you post as a parent but list your age as 17?</p>
<p>I have said many times that I hijack my daughters username because I am too lazy to set up my own. Some of the posts under daviban are hers some are mine - most of the time it is pretty obvious who is doing the posting.</p>