<p>So who's applying for the Gates Millennium Scholarship this year? The deadline's not until Jan but it's never too early to start...</p>
<p>To winners from years past, any advice/pertinent information to share? Thanks!</p>
<p>How many people actually win these scholarships? If its extremely hard to win, I dont think ill apply then.</p>
<p>1000 people won last year out of 11,000 applicants. 1/11 is tough odds, but people who want it get it.</p>
<p>o wow the application is soo lengthy tho >.<!!!</p>
<p>what are the average stats for those who received the scholarship?</p>
<p>It is lengthy but one application is better than filling out 10 scholarship apps every year!</p>
<p>GMS is worth it and I only spent the day before it was due to complete the app. (Don't wait like I did.)</p>
<p>I don't know the average stats but from meeting some of the scholars, there isn't an average. People are so different but all unique, with their own stories. Myself, I barely met the cutoff for GPA so the essays are very important apparently. My high school counselor wrote the recommendations for a few students (including me) and all of us ended up getting the scholarship. So, the recommendations are important.</p>
<p>how many awards are given? and how many people apply annually?</p>
<p>Jeopardy_Fan can you tell me where you got number of applicants from? I've been scouring the internet pages for years, but no such luck.</p>
<p>My mistake for not citing my sources. The statistics I mentioned came directly from GMS at the GMS Conference in LA. There was no official numbers, just the 1000 out of 11000.</p>
<p>Be true to yourself and to what you believe in the essays. Don't try to give them what "they" want. - 2006 Gates Scholar/Yale University</p>
<p>Everyone, fill out the application, don't be discouraged to apply because you don't think you have stellar SATs or GPA. I met many Scholars that won it because of what they wrote on their essays, not because of their stats.</p>
<p>My advice is to work hard on the essay questions. I think those are by FAR the most important aspect of the application (IMO)</p>
<p>I will go as far as to say that they are the most important thing.</p>
<p>I work as a GMS student rep, and I can't advocate more how important the essays are.
Priority:
1) Essays
2) Recommendations
3) Extracurricular
4) GPA
5) No SAT/ACT</p>
<p>Hey Reddune, how did u become a GMS student rep? I'm interested in doing that, but iono how...</p>
<p>Your respective organization should send you email about it. There was sign-up during the conference (at least for my year anyway.)</p>
<p>Can someone explain more precisely what they are looking for essay and community service wise? I ask this because in my state, 6 kids out of a graduating class of 90 won the scholarship while NO ONE in our school districts of over 2000 graduating seniors, 60% minority with about the same % with incomes below $35,000 won it. Hard to believe the 6 were that much more outstanding.</p>
<p>ok i don't understand how you guys get good recs from your counselors because i don't even talk to mine unless i want to change a class or something. Is it bad to ask him for a rec if he doesn't really know me or know about my accompishments? And, each year i have a different teacher so i don't really know any of my teachers that well. Would this affect my recs which seem pretty important for scholarships and applications in general. Plese help!!!!</p>
<p>They aren't looking for anything specifically, just be honest and speak your mind. They look for good people that deserve a full ride.</p>
<p>Destinos - I would make some kind of resume to give the counselor so that they have something to write about. Try to find a teacher that will write positively of you and not just BS the reccommendation. I actually asked a teacher that I was close to (2 days before the deadline) so it was easy. You can do the same but you might have to talk to the teacher before they write it.</p>
<p>what are the financial aid requirements for this scholarship?</p>
<p>I'm white. Am I wasting my time with this scholarship? Directly from the website:</p>
<p>"The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS), funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established in 1999 to provide outstanding low income African American, American Indian/Alaska Natives, Asian Pacific Islander American*, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline area of interest. "</p>