<p>Your sensitivity is appreciated. I am like you in that I have been searching various boards. My S did not receive an invite for the Lay weekend, which we were so hoping for. Furman has been MY top choice for S; he has 2 or 3 that at the moment are of equal stature in his mind. I suppose Furman will have to be moved to the bottom of our list, as it really is out of our reach financially. Thankfully, there are other schools that have offered him a great deal of merit-aid, so the story is not completely grim :)</p>
<p>It probably is inappropriate for me to share my faith here, but I'll do it anyway. When I started seeing everyone's posts regarding receiving the Lay invite, and my heart was sinking, God immediately brought to my mind the bible verse.... "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
I have to rely on the fact that God will lead us to what is right for our S.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your kid's invites.......you have to be abundantly proud of their accomplishment! Have fun and good luck!</p>
<p>I agree with you, amomof4. Things do have a way of working out as they were meant to be. It is important to do all we can on our end, but there comes a point when we just have to trust. Good luck to your son.</p>
<p>I have goose bumps. I really agree as well. I keep seeing these kinds of things, where the scholarship really is a "make it or break it" proposition, as the hand of God turning the stream of the course of their lives. I keep thinking how a course correction early on can change the trajectory of their lives... how very important this decision is to the One who made them. I am trusting that God is using the yeas and nays to lead our son to the exact place He intends to nurture him as he is launched from our quiver, so to speak. "For we are what he has made us, created in Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life" Eph. 2:10. </p>
<p>Now that I've gotten to know you and your perspective on life a bit, I'm really, really hoping your son ends up with some of the same merit based opportunities as ours... who knows?? Maybe they'll be roomates! Make sure you ask your son's roomate if his mom was on CC!! And if so, what her "handle" was! :)</p>
<p>For the sake of clarity, let me correct some assumptions and clear up some rumors. Both scholarship competitions will employ a group interview process. (Lay Example: 4 Interviewers, 3-4 students in one room for one hour). Up to 4 Lays are offered each year, but one has already been offered during ED. Therefore- 1, 2, or 3 students will come away with a Lay offer from the competition. Now, I know this language is stressing some people. Typically, all 4 Lays are offered. However, there have been a few years when that has not been the case. It depends upon the strength of the pool and the decisions of the selection committee. Considering the strength of this year's finalists, I see no reason why 3 offers will not be extended. In addition to the Lays, some of the strongest candidates will receive a James B. Duke Award. The Duke Endowment allows for 10-15 to be given to each entering class. Some people have begun to think that finalists receive either a Lay or a Duke-not the case at all. The majority of finalists come away with a nice merit package consisting of Honor and Achiever awards. These are typically half-tuition offers. In addition, many finalists are also the recipients of our departmental awards (some of which are quite well regarded). Those include the Wylie (Math), Alden (Pre-Engineering), Liberty (Business), Chemistry, and Arts awards. Many students will be a perfect fit for those awards, leading the selection committee and admissions office to create packages for finalists consisting of these awards and smaller merit scholarships such as the Honor and Achiever. Do not discount packages with departmental awards. However, do note that these require the student to major in the given department. </p>
<p>For those interested in how Lay Scholars are selected, know that writing skills and the interview are key factors. So too is personal compatibility with the school (personality, fit, way of thinking). This is hard to get a grasp for. But typically, the committee is able to see quickly who exemplifies the traits laid out by Herman W. Lay. Don't obsess over test scores, GPA, or the like. If you receive a finalist invitation, know that Furman is confident in your academic abilities. But you will be living with the Furman family now, and it takes more than mere numbers to make one a leading representative of that family.</p>
<p>That is it for now. To finalists, make sure you stay abreast of current events and have a good handle on your problem-solving/reasoning abilities. Those things are always evaluated at many different competitions. </p>
<p>Happy Interviewing (at Furman and elsewhere).</p>