What was the max merit aid award for OOS students? I didn’t get any merit aid despite my stats being well above the 75th percentile.
@Viktor777 I think it depends upon your major. My son’s was from Pamplin for business.
Heading from Fairfax to “Accepted” students weekend on April 5/6. Does I-81 wind up and down the Blue Ride mountains? My D wants to drive during some of the travel, but has never driven through mountains before…especially if goes to Tech and wants to come home via her car.
@fairfaxgator I have made the trip back and forth from New York 5 or 6 times. I usually drive, and always on I-81. Most of the drive on I-81 is actually in the Appalachian Valley and not over mountains. The drive is mostly rolling hills with an occasional steep climb or downhill but nothing that would make you feel uncomfortable. The closer you get to VT the bigger the hills - VT is on top of a mountain so as you approach the school you are mostly climbing. I have driven on mountain roads in California with tiny guardrails along huge dropoff cliffs - this trip is NOTHING like that.
What makes me nervous along most of the drive is sharing the narrow two-lane highway with the constant tractor trailers driving 85 MPH. I-81 is a main transportation corridor for delivery trucks and sharing the road with them gets exhausting. Most of the drivers are careful and courteous - but some are not. This is my only concern about the drive, but it will be a good learning experience for your daughter. Good luck!
@fairfaxgator Like @STEM2017 says, most of the trip is through the valley. Be prepared for potential backups around Harrisonburg, Lexington, and between Buchanon/Salem area. Prior to Harrisonburg there’s a long but gradual uphill grade that seems to catch truckers off guard so you get the inevitable truck going 50 in the left lane effect. The southbound patch before Salem gets a little slow too. Northbound from Roanoke/Salem to Buchanon gets bad at times due to a weigh station at the top of a long grade.
State police will probably be out in force once you get to Roanoke… they seem to circle open house, accepted days, etc. on their calendars.
@fairfaxgator For us, Martinsburg,WV is roughly the halfway point. Exit 12 on I-81. Easy on, easy off. Sheetz to fill up with gas and plenty of fast food options.
My son never noticed deadline on scholarship application for VT . He applied EA OOS and he is deciding between some great schools so having a little merit $$$ from VT would be nice. Without merit, VT is probably #4 behind Northeastern, NC State & CalPoly SLO. Has anyone appealed for merit $$$ and had a good outcome?
@fairfaxgator We’re in Northern Virginia and have driven this road many times for swim meets, gov school, and more. I would let her drive the first part of I-81. It’s pretty straightforward. When you get closer to the school, you have a lot more big 18-wheelers. Plus, Botetourt county is well known for it’s speed traps and tickets. There’s a section of the road where it drops from 75 to 65, but the sign is hidden behind trees. That’s where they got me! My only speeding ticket ever!! Seriously though, every friend I have has gotten a ticket in this area at some point. Even those who’ve driven it multiple times before.
Thanks everyone for the driving info. Very helpful.
I think my DS also missed noticing that scholarship application on his EA OOS submission. VT still a top contender for him but that is a (potentially) very costly oversight. Torn between in state (that does not offer his top choice major) or another very far OOS that gave him significant merit money.
@pamom414 My OOS son completed the merit scholarship application and still did not receive any merit money (he did from every other school). I don’t know if you will have much luck with an appeal but worth a try.
Still no admission packet even though my D called on Monday.
we received two packages this week… I suspect they sent a second one because we had called - you should get yours soon
Not so far received