Greetings:
My son got 1570/1600 on the SAT and has qualified as a national merit finalist on the PSAT/NMSQ. Funds are tight and we are looking for the best STEM school with a full ride deal, out there. Question: How to we get this information in front of as many schools as possible, so they know my kid is entertaining all offers?
Thanks.
Read this thread. Start at the beginning because the last bunch of posts are off topic. Then check each college website to see if the awards are still available.
Best way to get this info in front of the colleges?? Your kid has to APPLY to the colleges that are of interest. That is how you let them know you are “entertaining” a possible offer of admission from their school.
When your kid took the SAT, did he check the little box allowing the college board to share his scores? If so…get ready…you will receive tons of mail and emails…but those don’t mean he is a shoe in for admissions. That is marketing…plain and simple.
But really…the only way you are going to get offers of admission…your kid needs to APPLY.
The colleges that offer full rides to all students may be slightly different than NMF scholarship schools. Look at both lists.
Thanks for the feedback. So its not like an athletic scholarship where you post your stats and schools come to you prior to application?
It is not like athletic scholarships.
Look at
UCF
UTD
TAMU
BAMA
ASU Barrett
UMN Twin Cities
UNM ABQ
Texas Tech
OU
My favorite is UCF so far.
Major is also important in determining the best fit.
No they don’t come looking for you like they do athletes. Don’t underestimate the amount of applicants with good scores looking for merit, it is competitive particularly at good STEM programs. You have to have some parameters to go on - location, size, major. Otherwise you will get a giant list of meh. For example, I am not saying it is meh in any regard, but tbh I had no idea what UCF stood for and still haven’t heard of the school when I looked it up. There are so many out there. You have to have some idea of what you want besides “best STEM.” Very subjective.
MAybe times have changed, but my s’s were NMFs and did have offers sent their way unsolicited.
UMN-TC invite my D to apply 5 years ago when she was NMSF and they waived the application fee and essay requirement. Basically just submit the app. She got accepted within a few weeks after submitted application. Then a scholarship was offered to her shortly afterward. Also, there are schools that offer automatic scholarships depending on the final SAT/ACT score. Anyway, you are not limited to these schools that offer scholarships to NMSF. He may receive merit scholarships from many other schools too. My D did not pick the schools that offer scholarships to NMF but the in-state flagship that offer even bigger scholarships and has excellent engineering school. It is a balance between the cost and tier of the school at the end.
This list may not have been updated in a while, so check to see if conditions for each scholarship have changed but UA-Huntsville is strong in engineering, UT-Dallas is strong in STEM, and NJIT ranks high on ROI rankings (because it’s majors are almost all STEM):
http://nmfscholarships.yolasite.com
What state are you in?
Some state flagships don’t make these lists but for top in-state students, piece together enough scholarships to form a full-ride.
Texas Tech is a true full ride including transportation and stipend for living expenses. UTD covers tuition, fees, room, board, books and a little left over (according to current NMF there). UA-Huntsville covers tuition and room but not board or books. You need to actually apply to each school and you need to name your top pick as number one on your NM portal to get their scholarships.
But note that you don’t need to name a school until you have all acceptances and made a decision in April.
Alabama and Pitt should give you a good amount.
UCF has some good STEM, some good scholarships, and some good weather.
It is easier to find NMF full tuition scholarships (which still leaves $10-$15k living expenses) than full rides. If there is a good GPA too, that will help.
To follow up colorado_mom --aren’t “full rides” rather rare?
As far as location, we are in PA. Kid prefers staying midwest/northeast. Likes snow.
If you want to find the best deal, it’s going to require looking past the NE/midwest
Michigan Tech has a true full ride scholarship. I have no idea how competitive it is. Well regarded uni and good strong career supports and recruiting.
If this student gets to NMF level, he will likely get some offers to apply sent his way. But that won’t happen until his senior year in high school…right?
But in general…NO…colleges don’t recruit high stats students like they recruit athletes. There isn’t a way to put out his stats so that ALL colleges will see them…and come knocking at his door.