<p>So basically, there is a state school that has a semi-prestigious full-ride scholarship that is given to about 20 students a year. Though the scholarship itself is not binding, you are expected to take if you do get it. I will also be applying to some top schools. If I do get in a top school and get the scholarship, which should I take? How important is the prestige of your undergrad school? Is a full-ride worth giving that up?</p>
<p>Depends. Is there money set aside for college? What do you plan to do with your education, grad school, med school, work…? </p>
<p>Personally I’d wait and cross the bridge when you come to it, as you don’t yet know your options, but it’s good to think about finances and talk with your parents about them too, so you can make a decision with all necessary knowledge when the time comes.</p>
<p>Who are you expected to take it if you get it by? Most scholarship people only expect a certain percentage to accept and build that in to their process or go on to the next person down. This includes ones which invite you to and fund scholarship weekends. Some scholarship winners have several offers from different schools. On the other side, the whole process has an element of luck and you still feel fortunate to even receive one.</p>
<p>Though the scholarship itself is not binding, you are expected to take if you do get it</p>
<p>Says who? The school? So what.</p>
<p>While I do not think kids should pursue highly competitive scholarships at schools that they would never attend, there’s nothing wrong with pursuing one at a school that is your desirable financial safety.</p>
<p>Not sure why you’re asking this now. You may not even get this scholarship. Or you may find that your dream school doesn’t accept you or maybe isn’t affordable.</p>
<p>I realize that this is an internet forum, so one can’t expect perfection . . . but that sentence has to be one of the worst I’ve seen in a long time!</p>
<p>^^^ No, if I understand this correctly, the poster was referring back to the OP’s comment that students who win the XYZ Scholarship “are expected to take it.” So, the poster’s question should have read:</p>
<p>“By whom are you expected to take it if you get it?”</p>
<p>I am so sorry dodgermom that I upset you with my very late night post. I usually don’t post late at night because I am not at my best. The OP just caught my attention and I couldn’t imagine where he got the idea. I’ll be more careful in the future.</p>
<p>First of all, I understand that this situation might not happen, but I wanted to think ahead and was wondering if other ccers have some good advice. </p>
<p>Second of all, the scholarship requires a nomination from your school, and each school can only nominate two students. Each year more than 40 qualified kids from my school “apply” for that nomination. My school would then select two students who are the most qualified and who would vow use the scholarship if they do get it. The idea is to ensure that the school’s only two spots are not wasted. As I said before, there is no official binding agreement from the college, but to a certain degree it is implied at the high school level. That’s all.</p>
<p>Colkorir…if money is no object, then going for the dream school is a possibility. However, if this family wants some aid and they don’t qualify for need based aid, it might be prudent to seriously consider the full ride scholarship.</p>
<p>1) Your dream school #1 with affordable EFC
2) Your full-ride state school
3) Your dream school #2 with affordable EFC
4) Your 80%-ride state school
5) Your dream school #3
6) Your 60%-ride state school
7) Your dream school #1 with unaffordable EFC or your dream school #4 with affordable EFC.</p>
<p>This also depends upon your major, your plan for professional schools, and your family’s financial condition. But, average state schools understand that their yield could still be 60% among the full-ride recipients.</p>
<p>My d had a similar situation/options. We encouraged her to do any and all of the scholarship competitions offered by schools on her list…and that was the thing – she only applied/completed at schools she would consider attending – they had her program, the minors she wanted, etc. </p>
<p>In the end, she received a variety of scholarship offers. She did choose the full ride (one of 10 awarded at her U) and now, in her sophomore year there, continues to be so grateful that she is able to get her undergrad with no financial stress. </p>
<p>In the meantime, she was successful in several college-sponsored scholarship competitions. As she made her final decision, she quickly communicated with each of the scholarship committees of the “no thank you” choices. This allowed her awards to go to the alternates on the list. </p>
<p>OP, if you are worried that you are taking a “slot” from one of the two recommendations available to your school, just make sure that this school is one you would seriously consider attending if all the stars align. If so, apply! If it’s just the “semi-prestigious full ride” that caught your attention (not the school, the program, etc.) then perhaps let that slot go to another student at your h.s. Then you wait until you have your acceptances and offers in hand…and make your decisions from there, based on what is best for you.</p>
<p>Are they prepared to pay the cost of a top school? If you need aid, will you QUALIFY for the amount that you need? Have your parents used the net price calculators on the colleges’ websites?</p>
<p>Parent here. Here’s my opinion. Take the full ride scholarship if your only other option is to go into debt to go to your dream school. Most kids starting college have no idea how difficult it can be to pay off a huge amount of student debt. I’m sure you have heard horror stories about it in the media.</p>