Hi everyone - my DC is applying to the scholarship this year, and I’m wondering if anyone can share their experiences, and give advice on what we can/should do when working on the application to have a chance at this scholarship?
Also, I know the SAT cutoff for the scholarship, but can anyone share what your (or your DC) actual SAT score was, and what stage you made it to?
Thank you in advance!!!
Ancient history here. D took the SAT in 2003 – no tutoring & no prep except for a couple of practice tests. 580 verbal and 490 math [never her strong point]. She was named a scholar. Can’t recall if she was a 2004 scholar [the year she was accepted] or if they called them the 2005 group. I think it’s the essays and the interviews that matter the most once you’re over the threshold. I’ve heard of kids who had much higher scores but did not make the cut.
I am familiar with the stats of three. All were above 1300. Very different, unique kids in every way. No one was “just smart” or a high scorer. All had multiple interests and a lot of demonstrated skill and/or work and/or achievement. There was no typical kid.
CDB Scholarship Finalist from last year here! I sadly could not interview because of my mother, but I can still give you a couple of tips. First of all, SAT score is not a huge factor. My score was really, really bad, and my grades weren’t the best too. They need to be viewed in context.
There is no ‘formula’ for the perfect scholar. Some are very talented academically, with crazy high grades and SAT scores. Some are still budding into artists, scientists, entrepreneurs. What they have in common is that they all have huge potential, and are good people. The CDB scholarship board looks less at what you have done and instead looks at what you can do. They want to help people who are going to change the world. So while, yes, test scores and your GPA can predict this to an extent, there is more value placed on the softer parts of your application, like your essays and teacher recommendations, because that is where your personality, goals, and dreams shine through.
You can look at my previous threads for a more complete profile of me, but I don’t fit into what you think a gifted kid would be. But yet, I sincerely think, the reason why I became a scholar was because of my passion and the dedication I have to things I pursue, and because I never let those big dreams of mine get stained by reality. As cliche as this might sound, this is my biggest advice to all applicants: Be yourself. Only when you destroy who you think you are or who you think admissions want to see, then you can embrace who you really are in your application. If an applicant is truly a passionate, driven, inspiring kid, then it will show through.