Is the Search Over Before It Started?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I need some SERIOUS advice.
I am a Hispanic Male attending a public school in Florida who will attend a university in Fall of 2012.</p>

<p>I recently attended a private conference held by FAMU (Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University) where I was awarded a Presidential Scholarship. This scholarship is worth over $80,000 and will cover tuition, books, meals, dorm, etc. I am very excited about it. The university students that represented the school were so warm and inviting that I felt very welcomed and wanted. Several professors and even the Vice-President AND President came up to great me. I couldn't believe it. I know that the university is Historically Black, but I don't think that that would be a problem. I'd love to learn about a new culture and think that I would make many new friends. I had never really considered (or even heard of FAMU) but I am giving it some serious thought considering their offer. I am also eligible for the “100%” Florida Bright Futures Scholarship and several other private scholarships. If I go to FAMU, I calculate that I could save several tens of thousands of dollars in the bank and go to school for free. My question is whether this is a rare opportunity that I should take right away, or if I should wait for similar offers from more “prestigious” universities.</p>

<p>-I really want know what my chances are for the US News 1-40 with special attention to the University of Miami.</p>

<p>-Potential Majors:
Computer Science, Engineering, Business
(I am also completely open to suggestions from other majors that may be out there. I enjoy and excel at math and science.)</p>

<p>-Unweighted GPA:
4.0</p>

<p>-Weighted GPA:
I currently have a 5.12 at my school. I am the current valedictorian.</p>

<p>-Class rank/size:
1/556</p>

<p>-SAT:
2190 (Math: 710; Reading: 740; Writing: 740)</p>

<p>-SAT II:
Biology 690
Chemistry 680
Math II 610</p>

<p>-ACT:
33</p>

<p>-AP Courses (16 in all):
Freshman:
AP Environmental Biology 5
AP Human Geography 4</p>

<p>Sophomore:
AP Biology 5
AP World History 3
AP Psychology 5</p>

<p>Junior:
AP English Language 5
AP US History 4
AP Chemistry 3
AP Spanish 5</p>

<p>Senior (Currently Taking):
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Physics
AP Computer Science
AP English Literature
AP Statistics
AP Physics B</p>

<p>-ECs:
Mu Alpha Theta (Math Club)
C++ Computer Club
National Honor Society
Spanish Honor Society (President)
Envirothon (President)
C.O.R.E. (Anti-drug Club) (Treasurer)</p>

<p>-Volunteer (256 Hours):
Public Library
Hospital
Conservancy Wildlife Clinic</p>

<p>-Honors/awards:
AP Scholar with Distinction
Presidential Academic Scholar's Award (2005 & 2008)
Many, many Meritorious and Honorable Course Awards (Honestly, I am not being conceited.)</p>

<p>-Interesting information:
I invented a Chemistry formula that I patented. I have gotten multiple offers to publish it in textbooks nationwide.</p>

<p>Please, please give me your thoughts. Is this the opportunity of a lifetime? Will this happen with other universities? Is it worth going somewhere “more prestigious” and incur debt or go to school for free and get paid to do so? I think that I could graduate as the valedictorian of FAMU if I went there. If I went somewhere else, I would probably be considered more “average”. What do you think?</p>

2

<p>interesting scenario. bumping this for you.</p>

3

<p>I don’t get it. Why wouldn’t you apply to more prestigious schools if you have all that going for you? I have a feeling other schools are going to offer you scholarships (and lots). If I were you, I would wait and see what other universities would offer me. You’d only kick yourself in the end if you don’t.</p>

4

<p>Hispanic means you are in at all elites, probably for free</p>

5

<p>What matters to you more? Graduating valedictorian at a college where you know you aren’t challenging yourself to the fullest, or getting a first rate education at a school where you may not be the smartest?</p>

<p>My knee-jerk reaction is that you should take the FAMU scholarship. If all you are concerned about is prestige, then maybe you are motivated for all the wrong reasons and you might end up hating the school you choose. But if you truly want to go to an elite school because of the intellectually stimulating environment and the scientific opportunities that will be available to you, then by all means go ahead. The choice is still yours either way.</p>

<p>Reminds me of the story of Luis Duarte:
<a href=“http://centerforgloballeadership.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2010/01/04/luis-duarte-and-the-american-dream/[/url]”>http://centerforgloballeadership.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2010/01/04/luis-duarte-and-the-american-dream/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>With your stats you could probs get a scholarship from somewhere better.</p>

7

<p>If my memory serves me correctly, you do not have to commit to this offer before you compare other opportunities that become available to you. </p>

<p>Breathe, go through the admission process with other schools, and then, decide if this opportunity is the best one for you. </p>

<p>Agree with the above posters; you will probably be offered merit $$ at many other schools and will be able to compare and contrast many offers</p>

<p>If you want to focus on those schools where your stats will give you the opportunity for large merit, UMiami would def fall into that category but there are others where your interests would fit as well. </p>

<p>Post another thread on the parents forum asking for school suggestions with high merit awards</p>