<p>I got my engineering likely letter today. I was picked as a finalist for John McMullen Dean's Scholarship. I really have no idea what are the benefits of the scholarship. It said it'll help candidates who applied for financial aide, but unfortunately I didn't apply for financial aide (won't qualify of it). </p>
<p>Anyone else got it? </p>
<p>If there's no significant benefit, I'll be choosing MIT over Cornell engineering.</p>
<p>"The John McMullen Dean?s Prizes
Entering first-year students are selected, on the basis of merit, as John McMullen Dean?s Scholars. Prizes are awarded within the context of the university?s financial aid program and renewed if the recipient remains in good standing in the College of Engineering."</p>
<p>Copied and pasted from the 2006 engineering handbook. ;)</p>
<p>My son received the same likely letter and notification that he's a finalist for that award. He also will not qualify for financial aid. The letter states that if you don't qualify for financial aid, the award will be money to cover your books. So, it's not much of a financial benefit to us. It does sound like it's a nice recognition to have, though, and it allows you to participate in some programs geared specifically to this group, but it's unclear what that means exactly.</p>
<p>Forest and blackeyedsusan, did any of you/your kids get likely letters because of International or URM status?</p>
<p>My S received that scholarship last year and when we called to ask about it, they told us that it was $ 600 to cover the book’s cost. He didn’t enroll at Cornell.</p>
<p>cooldude -- Nope. My son is a caucasian from Texas.</p>
<p>Cressmom -- thanks for the info. My son has received great merit aid from Rice, UT and Vanderbilt, and has gotten into Wash U (no merit aid), so it will be an interesting decision.</p>
<p>No. I am Chinese female (US Citizen)... as majority as I can get. </p>
<p>Cressmon, thanks! I guess I'll not be enrolling at Cornell.</p>
<p>I too received a likely letter from Cornell, but it states that I am a finalist for the Irwin and Joan Jacobs Scholarship. Does anyone have any idea what this entails?</p>
<p>That's odd-I thought ivies didn't give merit?</p>
<p>All of these scholarships either have a financial need requirement or cover small expenses such as books. Some give you the opportunity to apply for research funding as upperclassmen. </p>
<p>They are more prestige than monetary - i.e., being part of a select group known as the "xyz scholars".</p>