<p>My son definitely wants to go to Kenyon but didn't apply ED because we wanted to compare merit aide packages (hopefully). He's getting nervous he didn't apply ED and wonders if this will hurt his chances at merit aide. Should we consider asking for ED II? Here are his stats:</p>
<p>GPA: 3.6 unweighted, 4.5 weighted
SAT: 800 M, 730V, 750 W
ACT: 32
AP's: All 5"s on five AP exams
Nat'l Merit Semifinalist, Governor's Scholar, sev'l other awards</p>
<p>Witty, philosophical essay about travel abroad; spent a lot of time on supplemental appln.</p>
<p>Any advice on likelihood of merit aide and whether it would help to switch to ED II??</p>
<p>I saw a thread about merit interviews/applns. There was no separate appln. for merit scholarships at Kenyon, right? If so, we're in big trouble!
Thanks much!</p>
<p>There are no separate applications for merit aid. You should contact MotherofTwo, her daughter got into Kenyon ED1 and received merit award. </p>
<p>Your son seems more than qualified for Kenyon and if he believes he belongs at Kenyon, then he should apply ED2, I think. But you're right, finances can play a big part. </p>
<p>Good luck to your son! I hope he becomes my classmate for next year!</p>
<p>I think it doesnt matter whether you apply Early Decision, given that your son is so qualified. Applying Early can be advantageous since Kenyon has more funding. But on the other hand, Regular can ensure that Kenyon gives you as much merit aid as possible. Yeah, so it can be tricky at times. But nevertheless, I think your son will have a great chance getting some merit aid and yeah, I hope he becomes my classmate for next year too! Kenyon is really an awesome school and they even sent a letter to my parents... it's really nice. My Dad said that he has never felt such a great sense of accomplisment before. :) All the best!</p>
<p>He seems like a great candidate (In terms of numbers, much better off than me!) and I hope he does get in. On the subject of merit aid... I'm not sure how merit aid is distributed, but I would like to think that the admissions committee assumes there will be great candidates in the RD round and therefore won't give it all to the ED rounds. </p>
<p>I think the bigger question is how important is financial aid to your family? If Kenyon's sticker price of $42,000 (For 2006-2007) is too much, then maybe ED isn't the way to go so you can compare financial aid packages (as you already mentioned). </p>
<p>Good luck! Hope to see him on campus next fall.</p>
<p>Thanks so much, everyuone for your help. We have to sit down and talk about whether we can risk not getting merit aid for the benefit of ED. I think my son is so sold on Kenyon that he doesn't want to go anywhere else! I'm not sure how the admissions committee looks at "sure bets"...he basically told them during his interview Kenyon was #1...not sure if that will hurt anything...or maybe help? He is our first and this is all new to me!!</p>
<p>^ I see small LAC's like Kenyon really wanting to accept kids who "crave" their school. If your son applys RD it might be worth asking if his guidance counselor is willing to include in his recommendation to Kenyon that Kenyon is his first choice. Just a thought!</p>
<p>Just got a post from someone saying we had missed the deadline for merit scholarships and that there was a separate appln. Please tell me this isn't so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The web site says applications are due by Dec. 15th....and this seemed to be the common app. I hope this is true since there were no links or any other info on how to get merit applns.</p>
<p>If the merit aids are referred to"Kenyon Honor, Science, and Trustee Opportunity Scholarships
Distinguished Academic Scholarships<br>
National Merit Scholarships"<br>
I can make sure that there is no separate app for merit aids in Kenyon, and the deadline is Dec 15. So the common app for merit aids is enough.</p>
<p>Your son's stats are strong.
Best of luck and hope to see him in the campus!</p>
<p>From the Kenyon website:
"Beginning in 2005-06, students wishing to be considered for these merit awards will no longer need to complete a separate scholarships application form nor write two additional essays. "We felt that the application process is already quite demanding, and that the application provides us with sufficient information to determine finalists for these scholarships," says Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Jennifer Britz. The scholarships differ in value, up to approximately half the comprehensive annual cost. While there are no specific requirements in terms of grade-point average, class rank, or SAT or ACT scores, applicants for these scholarships typically rank at or near the top of their class in the most rigorous curriculum. Finalists are often, but not always, invited to campus to interview with faculty."</p>
<p>Trust me, you should all be very glad that no separate application is required any more--of all the application essays I had to write during my senior year, Kenyon's scholarship essays were by far the hardest. However, the interview process was a lot of fun and was what really sold me on Kenyon. </p>
<p>Thanks so much for reassuring me we hadn't missed a deadline or another application!! My son would have been devastated if he was out of the running for scholarships at Kenyon. Thanks so much kc_09 for that quote from the Admissions Office!</p>
<p>I think you have missed the deadline for the top tier scholarships from Kenyon...
From Kenyon's website:
"To be considered for these top merit scholarships, students must complete their applications by December 15."
But then I am not an admissions expert... You should contact the admissions office and find out more about it! All the Best to your son!</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. Fortunately, my son's application was in in October!!!! I think we're OK and are just waiting to hear!!! I appreiate all the encouragement....it just seems like such a long time till April!</p>