@mom2collegekids : Not so sure about that. Appears even URMs need to have at least one of those. Also, is “high” here defined as Emory’s 75%? Then of course this may not be true for URMs as it is rare for them to be in the 75%, but who cares when you’re as good as this girl:http://news.emory.edu/stories/2017/04/er_profile_alexa_dantzler/campus.html
I will take the Intel Finalist for 500 thank you very much. If you are creative, driven, and bright enough to accomplish something like that along with translating it to other strong leadership (again, merit aid at these types of schools that do not emphasize stats as much seem to indeed like more pointed students as in those with a serious passion in a field or couple of fields that have already engaged very deeply with it to the point that they seem as if they will really excel in it in the future), I think it should certainly trump a high score. In addition, there have been whites and Asians winning Woodruff or one of the scholarships without a 75% score, but it usually needs to be around 50% it seems. It does seem that other super pointed/passionate in an area or two applicants do indeed have very high scores but there have been a reasonable amount of exceptions recruited it seems
Also, someone like an Intel Finalist/any national/international award of a solid caliber in a field may be more intellectually curious and willing to challenge themselves academically than someone who has put up seemingly perfect performances in HS. As in, they may lesser so fear pushing themselves further because they do not feel as much pressure to continue the glory days of HS where they had perfect pieces of paper.
On the other hand, I would expect someone with very high scores to have access to many schools more interested in National Merit Finalists and would strongly recommend it unless you have profiles like these two:
http://news.emory.edu/stories/2016/11/er_marshall_scholars/campus.html
One shipped herself off to a college on the other side of the state half-way through HS and another was learning theoretical math in HS (who wants to bet he probably went to IMO training camp at least once?). Go figure. So even they have SERIOUS academic grit and passion it seems, and they may not have been perfect statistically.
because outside of people with profiles like that, it seems quite unpredictable:
http://news.emory.edu/stories/2016/08/er_bts_college_emory_scholars/campus.html
I believe some students were under-described, but if it was left at those descriptions, it is indeed all over the place. These Intel competitors and finalists (like Emory gets at least one every year. Typically it seems UCs and top 10 privates have any pull with these folks. And the International Olympiad medalists and camp attendees, Ivy Plus schools, especially top ones, seem to have a lock on those) seem to be a theme however. However, I would check the box even if it seems like a longshot because there are different types of scholarships and one’s EC profile and region may be a good fit for them.
However, it does seem like some of those folks were insane (like the girl coming in this upcoming fall because she was at the United World College) and it looks like those from maybe not the best districts or situations maximized their impacts. There was also a URM with a perfect ACT. Usually the top Ivies pretty much steal those folks. So getting this ain’t easy, but it also appears unpredictable. However, they didn’t highlight all students. It is noticeable that the scholarship winners seem unusually ethnically diverse (having a surprising amount of URMs for example) for any elite school offering merit scholarships. I think a lower emphasis on academic stats as opposed to other forms of academic achievement (which may show up in ECs) may help to afford this paradigm.
Emory Scholars - the search is for students with the following traits:
- intellectual curiosity
- creative thinking
- servant leadership
- communications skills
- contribution to community
It doesn’t seem a 35-36 ACT is on that checklist
There are a lot applying with these traits… they don’t all get merit.
The main merit aid Emory gives through the Emory/Oxford Scholars program. You have to submit your application in November and check a box to be considered for this award. As others have said, these scholarships go to ACT 35 and 36 people Emory is trying to pick off from the Ivy’s. My D had a 33 and almost a 4.0. She was admitted RD but didn’t get any merit aid except as a dependent of a United Methodist Minister.
It’s a competitive process they interview for on campus. It is not test score driven, that is incorrect.
Here is the program.
http://college.emory.edu/scholars/
Here is class of 2020:
http://news.emory.edu/stories/2016/08/er_bts_college_emory_scholars/campus.html
@Houston1021 : Did you not look at the characteristics of the students in the article (they only emphasized the score in the case of a URM)? I am pretty sure all nor most of those folks had 35-36, even the non-URMs and in addition, if they just wanted high scores in that range, why would you select more URMs (as one, I am asking this question) than normal? They are much less likely to have that (a much smaller pool to select from especially if you are not HYPSM and some public flagships, and just a small pool to begin with). Any school wanting to steal students with high stats from Ivies wouldn’t have them as the first pick. They are so clearly looking for something else and maybe 35-36 if you can get it with the other attributes (but still the other attributes are placed on a pedestal) however, there are a decent amount of regular admits and matriculates with those numbers and I promised most were not offered a scholars interview. And yes, it is trying to pick off from some of the Ivies, but not through a scores driven method. They want more students with the level of academic/intellectual ambition and curiosity as those seen at some of the top Ivies for example. If the Ivies want and have lots of students with those traits @ClarinetDad16 describes and thinks it will enhance campus culture and outcomes produced, exactly what is wrong with that? Which elite school outside of the Ivy Plus does not desire more pull on those types?
They aren’t using it to boost stats because Emory’s stats have been flat for a while (they may be due for a bump this upcoming year and maybe did for class of 2020, but I do not think it will be dramatic and definitely will not be driven by 25-35 students! out of an incoming class of 1350-1450).
@Houston1021 sounds like your daughter was not invited to compete on campus for the Emory Scholar awards.
the school looks for kids that will be ambassadors for Emory. Small group that checks specific boxes outside their academics and test scores…
These top scholarships look for superiority, gifts, talents on many levels. Academic/test scores may be part of it, but it is not the totality. Back when my ds#2 was applying, the student had to be nominated for consideration for Emory Scholars by the school counselor, and IIRC they could only nominate one or two (can’t recall) . But the student had to be a standout student on many levels- leadership, volunteerism, academics, etc.