<p>Has anyone been successful in finding out why their child was not admitted to a school or awarded a scholarship that they seemed to be well-qualified for? When I've asked, I've received the response that the competition was very stiff. However, when the child's SAT score and GPA (from community college classes) is above the average of those admitted, and they have many extra-curricular and volunteer activities, good recommendations, etc., it leaves me puzzled. I would like to know more for when my next child is applying, but answers are elusive.</p>
<p>I'm not sure there ever IS a definitive answer. It depends on what the college or scholarship groups is looking for. For college, for example, perhaps one child has great scores and good EC's, however, there are a lot of similar kids from the same part of the country applying, or with similar EC's, and the college wants more kids from other areas or with other interests. Said child may have taken fifth place nationwide in oboe, but the college already admitted the top two oboe players, so they really want a trumpet player. Or some such thing. So there are so many factors that go into it.</p>
<p>With scholarships, we have been similarly disappointed this year. My son has applied for several that I thought he had an excellent chance to win, but has only ended up with one $500 local one. However, each group is looking for something different. One may want community service. Another may heavily weight for need. A third may be impressed by sports and school activities. And when it comes down to it, having to pick from several kids who are all great kids with lots to recommend them--it really can come down to personal preference, or a decision based on some factor that might seem very small to someone else.</p>
<p>Yes, it is elusive; I will definitely agree with that. And I don't think there is much you can do about it. :-(</p>
<p>Thank you for your thoughts, Susantm. I don't expect to do anything about the decision, but I would like to know why it was made, especially if knowing would help me to advise my other children in the future. If the answer is that my child was only the 5th best oboe player in the nation and oboe playing was their primary consideration, would they tell me this? How would I go about finding out?</p>
<p>I guess it is a very ambiguous question, it is quasi-impossible to compare two students, each and everyone got his/her load of achievements, successes, failures and problems. </p>
<p>If an officer could abide to a definite set of axiomatic rules and regulations devised for admission and scholarship allocation, it would be really give a free and fair chance to each and everyone. But, when an admissions officer/member of a jury considers an application there's a myriad of "unclassifiable" external factors; ranging from their personal experience, beliefs, frustration, recent events, problems, etc... It is impossible for a human to be completely objective in any case, even objectivity is subjective. If we could be really always objective (as considered the best) we would not have been humans, but robots or humanoids.</p>
<p>I sincerely think that you will find a sustainable solution for your son, if you and your child try hard, a solution will even come to you. </p>
<p>This universe belongs to those who possess the courage and determination, to always strive for their beliefs, their principles and aims. No human or even god can forbid you of success if you are really worth it. That's an ethereal law. ;-)</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>It is really difficult to get a definitive answer because often there is not one. Many colleges and scholarship committees have a hidden agenda in that they are focused on items on a wish list that they do not publicise or even admit. It may be a desire to get a well rounded ethnic group or ability group or geographic group. So your kid's chances of getting anything are even lower if he is in an overrepresented cluster of kids. Sometimes it is the luck of the draw. Your kid might be a fantastic journalist, debater, etc but just the way it turned out that year there are several kids with the same resume in the crowd which mkae all of those kids stand out less. </p>
<p>When I lived in Westchester county in NY, BC was a favorite destination for kids. I did not meet a single kid who got one of their top scholarships, and they had to be the cream of the crop. I know two kids from the midwest who got them, and they did not touch some of the NYers that did not as far as stats and Resume. Bc gets all the Nyers it wants and doesn't need to pay for them. It is is light on the geographics elsewhere so it weighs in heavily if you are applying from an underrepresented area. This is just one example of an outside factor influencing who gets an award. It is not pure merit, necessarily. Also I know in my area here, getting any community scholarship is a lost cause if you don't go to school in the area The kids who go to a national level prep school just do not get a proportionate share of these scholarships given the colleges that have accepted them. I know one young lady who has spent countless hours on community service, has been accepted to Harvard, and really, in my opinion the top candidate for a specific local scholarship. It is going to a local public high school senior. Not to say he is a dim bulb, but the two just don't compare in resume. But going to the local school here is a definite factor.</p>