<p>Got my letter through Fed-Ex today notifying me that I have been selected to interview for the Lay Scholarship...I'm so excited!!!</p>
<p>Congrats wdlan! That is a great honor. Our S also got an invite yesterday. We are from Charleston. We don't know how (if at all) the Lay will fit in with this new Hollingsworth scholarship. In my calculations, the Hollingsworth at $25,000 is just about equal to a full tuition Duke scholarship. Makes me wonder is SC kids will be at a disadvantage at the Lay weekend only because they have the Hollinsworth also available to them.</p>
<p>does anyone know how many people are invited to lay weekend?</p>
<p>I'm not sure, I was wondering the same thing.</p>
<p>It varies slightly year to year, but probably averages about 35-40 invites, with around 30-34 showing up.</p>
<p>didn't the lay interview process used to be two days with finalists staying on campus and participating in both a group interview and an individual interview? </p>
<p>this year, it's just a half day affair, if you don't count the "optional" dinner at white oaks, with just the group interview.</p>
<p>i cant decide if this is good or bad.</p>
<p>also, i'm having trouble finding appropriate clothes. any ideas of where to shop?</p>
<p>I believe there are stilll both a group and an individual interview, they just occur on the same day. Unless the format has changed for this year, you and your family arrive for Friday morning and have a group "meet." After this, the student goes off for the rest of the morning and participates in either a group or individual interview (with the reverse scheduled for the afternoon, either the individual or group, depending on your particular schedule). Meanwhile, the parents meet with the director of financial aid who explains the scholarship funding process (and how these funds would meld in with other funds/scholarships/finaid). The parents and students rejoin for lunch, which includes some previous Lay recipients as speakers. At lunch, students meet their individual hosts for the overnight. After lunch, the students complete their interviews (group or individual). Menawhile, the parents can go on a campus tour (remember, some people have never visited the campus before). Around 3:00 PM, everyone rejoins briefly. Students go off with their hosts to drop off belingings for the overnight; parents usually run back to their hotel. Then, early evening, everyone rejoins to meet for a reception at the University President's house (he is a truly gracious and personable individual).
The next morning, students rejoin their parents at some predetermined time (usually late morning) and head home.</p>
<p>The schedule may have changed, but I know that current Duke and Lay students are being asked about being hosts and providing an overnight place for this year's nominees, so I would guess the overall schedule is still similar.</p>
<p>As for what to wear, "business casual" is appropriate. </p>
<p>Hope this helps. Good luck to all attending.</p>
<p>that's strange that you say current students are being asked to be hosts. i think the process definitely changed as both the schedules that have been mailed to me do not mention an overnight on campus at all, like in previous years. it sounds like everyone stays at a hotel downtown. also, the schedule says departure is after lunch on friday. the reception at the president's is thursday night, and the rest of the activities appear to be on friday...so it's basically a one day deal. HOWEVER, why would they ask students to host? you got me curious now. (i'm kind of hoping they stick to what they've always done instead of having just the group interview...and i have yet to spend the night on campus)</p>
<p>i agree enginedriver, i'm pretty curious now too.</p>
<p>Oops if I confused all. Clearly, go with what your schedule says. They also ask students to host overnight visits for other than just the Lay weekend, so that may be why some people have been asked to host and I simply assumed and connected the dots. Given the information you have, it does indeed appear that the schedule has changed since previous years (this year's timetable would be different that at least the last 4 years). Given your schedules, it appears the events have been pushed back from a Friday overnight, to a Thursday overnight where you stay with your parents. I am guessing, however, that the interviews (which always only took part of one day anyway) will still take place as usual, although it also appears from your remarks that they have eliminated the individual interview as well. I would assume that overall, with a few exceptions, the content of the experience will be similar to previous years: interviews, group lunch, reception at Dr. Shi's home, etc... Sounds like all that they've removed is the overnight with current students. Enjoy the experience.</p>
<p>You might ask your regional adcom about the opportunity to spend a night on campus; it may still be possible to add that after the Lay event (albeit, your parents might have to pay for their own hotel if it adds a night to their stay, don't know about that part?).</p>
<p>hmm. well i came here to ask questions, but it looks like they were already asked then answered.</p>
<p>thanks for the info.
and good luck to you all.</p>
<p>Was anyone else from CC (besides Lukester's S and myself) at the Lay Scholarship day?</p>