<p>Does anyone have anecdotal experience with merit awards at Grinnell? What are the grade/score combinations for top awards. I'm wondering if D should retake M/CR in January to bumop up incrementally, or if she's fine standing pat.
4.0 uw / 4.6 w
4x 5s AP
2x 4s AP
full IB
720/710/730
760 bio
750 ushistory</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>My son was offered the top merit award 4 years ago. I’m starting to forget his stats, but SAT was CR-760 M-790 W-790 and he had a perfect reading or verbal score on the ACT. GPA 3.98uw, 4APs (his school only offered 6),got 3 5s and a 4 on French AP test. Can’t remember SAT subject scores but they were in the high 700s. I’m not sure if the awards are purely stats driven or also take other things into consideration.</p>
<p>Based on two students’ scores I know, you have a good chance. Transcript/academic rigor and essay also important. Visit & interview if you can! Also, they are trying to keep 1/3 level for students in STEM majors. Seriously interested applicants are treated seriously.</p>
<p>@1bie792: Do you mean capping STEM majors to keep other areas flourishing?</p>
<p>No, I meant trying to keep it UP to 1/3 STEM. Same at Smith.</p>
<p>OK, thanks, so STEM majors with HS record to back it up might be a bit of a boost?</p>
<p>Yes. An excellent transcript with challenging courses, respectable test scores, and a sincere demonstrated interest, especially a Visit, seems to be the ticket. Otherwise get to know a rep at a college fair and have student stay in touch.</p>
<p>As I recall merit aid tops out at 15k, and you could get less, check website to confirm. Need based is generous. They were the only one we dealt with that awarded NMF scholarship (2k/yr) AFTER all other aid was calculated; the other colleges reduced their aid by that amount. Also they do not count any home equity, not so easy to find in upper LACs.</p>
<p>You probably know that girls are at a demographic disadvantage at this point in time in the college hunt, EXCEPT for serious STEM and at the women’s colleges.</p>
<p>Thanks for info. So far D has 4.0 in all:
honors chem and bio, AP Bio (5 on exam), IB Physics SL, AP Calc (4 on exam)
Senior Year: IB Physics HL, AP chem, AP Stats
Admissions said not to worry about interview - I called about gettng an alumni interview as we haven’t been able to visit. It’s so darn hard to get to because there are no direct flights. Admissions said it wouldn’t impact decision - she would have had to do it last week with the holidays coming.
It looks like they cap loans at a lower amt. than most schools other than “no loan” category.</p>
<p>Her stats look comparable to mine, and I received two Grinnell academic scholarships totally $12,000. Additionally, there is the NMF which adds an additional $2,000.
If she is interested in physics or computer science, she will be invited to GSP, which is a science per-orientation program. [Grinnell</a> Science Project - Pre-Orientation - Divisions | Grinnell College](<a href=“http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/divisions/science/gsp/gsppo]Grinnell”>http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/divisions/science/gsp/gsppo)</p>