Hey, so I’m applying to different places and it has recently come to my attention that I might be able to get a full ride somewhere… maybe. Can someone give me an idea of my chances?
Here’s my stats:
SAT: 1420
GPA: 3.87
APs: 4 on AP Gov, planning on taking AP Lang
Extracurriculars: so many, many of which I lead. President of two clubs, lead an unreasonable amount of stuff for church, head of a rental business committee, etc. etc. (plus some more random stuff like that I ride unicycle and cook a lot)
I’m a National Merit (Semi for now)finalist
Because of the National Merit stuff, there is a chance of me getting a full ride to some colleges including CSULB, Soka, and University of Arizona, but nothing is confirmed. I only get to pick one college through National Merit that I want as my “first choice” and then I’ve gotta just deal with whatever money they throw at me, the others will give me nothing. My family can’t afford much since I’ve got siblings who need paying for…
Is there anyone who can give me an estimate of my chances at these places? If I shoot too high and don’t get enough that I can afford it, I’m kinda screwed (I’d just go to community college), but I also don’t want to put something meh as my first choice when I coulda gotten into Soka…
I think this is the President Scholar Program listed below. My understanding is that for National Merit it is for CA residents only.
President’s Scholars Program
The President’s Scholarships are the most prestigious merit-based scholarships awarded by CSULB. These signature scholarships offer individualized award packages of up to four years that may consist of tuition waivers, campus housing, and textbooks and other course materials (awards subject to renewal annually based on performance). President’s Scholarship awardees are selected from a competitive high-achieving pool of students admitted to the University Honors Program (UHP). They receive not only financial support but also valuable benefits such aspriority registration, small classes, individualized/proactive academic advising, and the opportunity to participate in Honors House, the on-campus residential honors community. As members of the Honors program, President’s Scholarship recipients will be a part of a small, nurturing group of diversely talented students who are mentored by stellar faculty and dedicated staff in a family-like atmosphere Please view the University Honors Program for more information.
You don’t have to make your final selection of your “first choice” with National Merit until the spring, so you have time to get acceptances from more than one school that would offer significant merit. So go ahead an apply to 2 or 3 of them if you want the opportunity to choose. Make that “first choice” selection when you have a better idea of what would be your first choice.