Foisie Scholarship Question

This discussion was created from comments split from: Engineering schools that give great merit aid to applicants with high test scores / GPA..

Can anyone who has been offered a Foisie Scholarship at WPI (full tuition) share their stats–GPA, standardized test scores,etc.? My D applied EA to WPI, and though her stats are good, I really have no idea if they are in the range that the scholars program is a possibility. (No more than 10 incoming students are offered a Foisie Scholarship.)

Her stats:

UW GPA: 4.0/W GPA 4.5
ACT: 35 composite (36S, 35M, 36R, 31E)
SAT: 1520 (760M, 760V)

HS schedule all honors 9th & 10th grade; 11th grade all honors, college-level Spanish, plus AP Lang & Comp (5 on AP exam)

Senior schedule: AP Calc BC, AP Lit & Comp, AP gov, AP Physics, College-level Spanish, Wind Ensemble (oboe/English Horn), Voice Ensemble

NM Commended Student
Received the Rensselaer Medal but does not love RPI: will apply but liked Cornell, Northeastern, WPI, Stevens Tech, SUNY Binghamton better.

Engineering major, probably mechanical
Loves the project-based curriculum at WPI and the strength of the Humanities program/project requirement–her HS ECs include math, leadership, and lots of music/theater activities. Over 400 hours of community service to school, community, and church.

New York suburban white female at a public HS

Any thoughts? Curious to see if those who were offered Foisie can tell me if they think might be considered. Thanks!

bump

My son (HS class of '14) was offered a Foise. His stats were similar: 35 ACT, 1590 CR + M SAT, several APs (calc BC, chem, both physics C, both language). I can’t remember his GPA. Probably 3.9 or so UW (A / A+ = 4.0), 5.something W. Several ECs including Science Olympiad (competed nationally for 3 years), varsity alpine skiing, and a paid internship in an applied chemicals company where he worked under the lab manager. Intended major was mathematics and he had taken AP calc as a HS sophomore and had taken several advanced math classes online during junior and senior years (linear algebra, diff eq, etc). In addition to stats, my son had a strong familial tie to WPI with his father, uncle, and sister as alums.

Your D’s stats are very good but I have no idea what the committee looks for. My oldest child graduated from WPI in May and my youngest applied EA this year as well. Oldest had good stats / ECs but was not offered a Foise. Youngest also has decent stats / ECs but I am not expecting her to be offered a Foise (it would be nice though!). Sadly, although WPI was in his final few schools, my son ended up turning it down.

Best of luck to your daughter as she makes her decisions this year. I’m sure she will have many excellent choices!

Thank you! Very helpful.

@OCNYmom

Congrats on your D’s admissions into Cornell Engineering ED. It is an excellent engineering program, easily in the top 10.

I knew a few friends who were awarded Foisie, but I’m not sure what advice I could give anyone here about it. I am assuming it is a combination of academic and co-curricular excellence, just like many other awards. I was not awarded Foisie. Sounds like a fantastic opportunity.

@frontpage Thank you! We are hoping that the numbers will work out for D to attend Cornell. However, right now we are not optimistic. My husband works at a college and understands financial aid. He will contact Cornell’s FA office with some questions, and to see what may be possible. If D is unable to enroll at Cornell she will be disappointed but really okay with it. She likes WPI, Northeastern, and several other schools.

@OCNYmom

I work at a large well-known software company, and I would suggest Cornell if at all possible. I graduated from WPI a while ago. As far as engineering is concerned, the top 10 schools are significantly more rigorous than other schools. Starting salaries should be high enough to pay off loans within at most 3-4 years after graduation. If your daughter is comfortable with the level of rigor, I think Cornell is the way to go even if there are some loans. Every university has different strengths, but especially as far as research and rigor is considered, Cornell is stronger.