Hey guys,
I’m an alternate for the Stamps Presidental Scholarship at Georgia Tech and the waiting is really killing me-I don’t just want the money I want the community, and I’m having a lot of trouble figuring out my chances and/or any steps I can/should take. If anyone was an alternate or knows where I could find statistics (how many people are alternates? Can I find out my “rank” [if ranks even exist]? How many alternates were accepted in years past?) I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
- Even if you don't get Stamps, there are plenty of other ways to be involved in a community. When I was at finalist weekend, my host said that Stamps people mostly just saw each other at treks, and didn't interact THAT much for the rest of the year. The real community came from staying the honors dorm (since a lot of Stamps scholars are also in the Honors program (or even Grand Challenges).
- The list IS ranked, but there's no way to actually find out what yours is. But since you're an alternate, I think your rank was in the top half (this is just my guess).
- There's no official data in how many alternates were accepted, but my estimate is around 10. From my knowledge, quite a few Stamps scholars turn down their offers for various reasons. Being an alternate, you have a VERY good chance of being accepted. I think the earliest they'll let you know is April, since all other college decisions will be in by then. You might even find out after May 1.
- There are really no steps you can take. Just relax, and know that being a Gold scholar is still really good! And you should definitely come to Tech even if you don't end up getting it!
@banana72 thank you very much, that was definitely informative and helpful! I really appreciate it, I am definitely hoping to do either Grand Challenges or Honors (applied to both so we will see!) and I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your response. Have a great day 
@emxplusb Don’t worry too much about Grand Challenges or Honors, either, they are both largely nine month experiences for just the freshman year, although Honors students can live in an on campus apartment for the next three years. Lots of kids eventually move off campus as the Honors apartment is $2000 more per year than the freshman dorm price! You will make friends and do fine at Tech in just the freshman dorm. If you can afford it without the scholarships just come and enjoy it as a regular student. These special programs for freshman year are overblown and do not change the education one bit, but certainly say yes if you can get into either one, as you will meet some very smart kids like you! Remember they are dorms and gender balanced so its not just a merit program, its a dorm with boys and girls and they take equal numbers of both into both programs.
@Coloradomama thanks for sharing all that-I definitely see your point, I am 100% still considering GT…still 1 month to decide though!
Also- this seems to be getting a lot of views, if anyone here is an alternate or a scholar I’d love to hear if you’re definitely going!
I’m glad it helped you:) PM if you have any questions or if your status changes! @emxplusb
@banana72 I’m in high school but I want to ask if stamps is considered during your last year of high school or during your first year of college at Tech. So if you don’t get stamps, then you can attend an other college.
last year of high school (apply by the early action deadline in October)
@banana72 thx.