<p>I’m a finalist from PA and I’m super nervous. This is literally my only hope for secondary education, so it’s a pretty big deal.
Since the scholarship is distributed between 4 different groups does that mean I’m technically only competing against the people in my group?
Anyone know a rough estimate of how many people are in each group?</p>
<p>Also my EFC isn’t all 0s, its 00272 and I’m eligible for $5,300 from Pell Grant. Does that mean that finalist with all 0s will most likely get the scholarship over me?</p>
<p>They don’t choose based on EFC. So people with lower EFCS do not have a higher chance of getting it, it’s only based on academics, community service, and leadership. The EFC is only to see if you’re pell grant eligible, nothing else.</p>
<p>And regarding the 2000 and 1800, they will never tell us the exact number, but it’s around there. The representatives said 2000, but I’m sure they rounded up from some number close to that.</p>
<p>I am happy to see so much positivity in this thread. Every finalist is truly a leader. I just hope that all of us get some money to excel without having to worry about $ </p>
<p>Lol@the people already talking about how the scholarship will be delivered</p>
<p>I’m a finalist from Philly and I faxed and mailed all my docs today except im waiting for Johns Hopkins to tell me if I got in(April 1st). Also, I don’t know why everyone asks if their EFC # will effect their app cuz as long as you guys are eligible for the Pell Grant then you have just as good a chance as anyone else. I think that efc just helps them decide how much you get if you win. Stop Panicking lool!!! There are hundreds of other scholarships that you could be applying for( fastwebs, *****, etc) in the time that yall are panicking about this one. Good Luck To The Other Finalist…</p>
<p>did anyone call their branch a couple of days after they turned in their application?
I did and they said they received everything and will contact me if there needs to be any follow up. </p>
<p>Even though they said they received it, I still feel like something could go wrong haha.</p>
<p>If you haven’t already, all you finalists and potential-finalists should join the Facebook group. All of the questions above are answered by 2 past GMS Scholars who are still currently in close contact with the Gates office. They give great advice about what to do if grades have dropped, or whatever you’re wondering about the EFC (Pell Grant eligibility is as much a requisite as being a minority for this scholarship) or if the 1000 Scholars are broken down racially (which they aren’t).</p>
<p>I think it’s pretty fair if there are 1,000 spots for winners and about 2,000 finalists. Everyone has like 50% and above chance of getting this. We’re all deserving of it if we made it this far. Good luck everyone!</p>
<p>Uh hmm… I still haven’t received a mail or email about the finalist notification . When I call their line, only an automated message tells me that a mail has been sent. But no one picks up their phone… Should I just believe that I got rejected?</p>