<p>I just got the rejection letter, too.</p>
<p>Got the rejection letter. Oh well congrats to everyone else and good luck to everyone who waiting for notification</p>
<p>I just got rejected like a ■■■■! haha I’m really not tripping tho.</p>
<p>Hey guys. I just want to say keep applying to other scholarships and good luck on everything. Stay positive. To finalists: do we have to use IRS Data retrieval tool as long as our Tax is done?..can we just transfer every info from the Tax return paper to FAFSA? </p>
<p>And to those asking about how many finalists there are. No the numbers are not made up. The rep. Said about 1800 of us made it. There is a tough competition. I don’t know how they will decide. The only thing i’m scared about right now is my GPA…9-12 grade… 3.4 unweighted.</p>
<p>you don’t have to use the irs data retreival unless you were selected for verification for the fafsa. It’s easier anyways, because everything just automatically is transferred to the fafsa form, instead of being confused and whatnot at what number to put!</p>
<p>I have yet to recieve notification… Not looking good though. Hispanic from Idaho</p>
<p>Got rejected by mail :(</p>
<p>My daughter is a Gates Finalist from Georgia! We received a phone call & letter on 3/07/2012. So happy for all of you who have advanced and wish you the best of luck, with 55% being chosen for actual winners now…what a blessing…feels like the Prize Patrol called us. Her stats are similar to many of yours, African American, 4.16 GPA, 12 AP courses, NHS, Beta Club, many extracurriculars in leadership positions & tons of community service hours.</p>
<p>For those still waiting: please keep your focus and continue applying for other scholarships, still a lot of $ including full rides available from numerous sources for those with your stellar academics and extracurriculars. And mail does take a few days…I believe the white business size envelopes were mailed from Gates/UNCF in Virginia on 3/05/12. </p>
<p>Again good luck to all of you!</p>
<p>Do anybody know how many finalists are there?</p>
<p>@Star2012</p>
<p>Do not feel bad. I only have a 3.3 GPA. YOu met the requirement which is having a 3.3 unweighted or higher. In my school, I seen people who have a 3.9 and a 4.0 and they are not even finalist. I talk to a rep and he said that they have given the scholarship to people with 3.3’s and 3.4’s. It all depends on your profile.</p>
<p>If their are 1,800 Finalists. Then it should be 80% of the finalists become Gates Millennuim Scholars. Here is why</p>
<p>They pick a 1,000 Students. So 800 of those students will not become scholars. This 800 nonscholars are divided among </p>
<p>The UNCF (United Negro College Fund)</p>
<p>The HSF (Hispanic Scholarship Fund)</p>
<p>APISF (Asian and Pacific Islander Scholarship Fund)</p>
<p>AIGCS (American Indian Graduate College Fund). </p>
<p>So just hope that you all have a lot of community service hours, great leadership potential, people who know you well enough to write good things about you, and have academic achievement. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE WHO IS A FINALIST. I hope this calm people’s nerves</p>
<p>Thanks Geiger42! And also, don’t forget about those who don’t even qualify for the pell grant that become finalists. Must be about more than 50 people!</p>
<p>And for those who are worrying about their GPAs, it’s really not all about academics. They choose those who truly deserve it, and who they believe can really succeed. As long as your essays described the person you are and wish to become, and why you had those scores, then I think they will understand.</p>
<p>@doublerainbow99</p>
<p>You are correct in fact, their are more than that who dont qualify for the pell grant. So 200 students are being eliminated from each organization. But yea I believe each organization will have 250 Gates Scholars. I just hope and pray I am one of them. </p>
<p>GOOD LUCK!!!</p>
<p>I got my rejection letter today:(</p>
<p>@blueabby24</p>
<p>Do not give up hope. More opportunities will come your way. What branch deny you and what state are you from?</p>
<p>Im a GMS finalist! So excited. Does this ensure I’ll be a scholar? From the reseaech I’ve done (youtube, blogs, forums), it basically said the 1st part of the application was more important. Sending in.the files for a finalist was just for confirmation. Does anyone know?
Congrads to all!
Female. African America. GA</p>
<p>yes definitely the first part is the most important. They go over the essays a bunch more times. Well I’m guessing first they look at the SAR and see if you actually qualify for the pell, because there is no point in continuing with the application if you aren’t even eligible for it. Then the essays and grades are taken into consideration! </p>
<p>and no, it doesn’t ensure that you will be a scholar. Unfortunately haha. Congrats!!</p>
<p>Got the rejection letter four. Gotta suck it up, but glad I can move on with my life now. Good luck to everyone still in :)</p>
<p>Hey I’m a finalist too and I was wondering for the unweighted GPA form did you have two separate person fill it out? Like the guidance counselor is the person to fill out the GPA part and your principal as the person who signs it? Since it requires an administrator’s signature.</p>
<p>My gc was the only one to complete my form. It said gc OR administration</p>
<p>Sent from my VM670 using CC</p>