<p>Congrats to your D, GCBMIB… always glad to hear about the “lucky” recipients.
Enjoy the weekend.Especially being from a cold locale like we were, you will appreciate the weather and that things will already be in bloom! The Southern hospitality is wonderful as well.</p>
<p>I am so so SO glad to find this thread about the “lucky” ones, because I was one of the ones who turned down my spot at this years Finalist Weekend. I’m still not 100% happy about that decision, but I really could not attend due to other commitments, so hearing others so happy about getting their chance at the McNair makes me feel a lot better.</p>
<p>Best of luck to everyone this weekend…I wish I could be there with you!</p>
<p>Sadly for all McNairs the weather will not be as nice as could be…highs around 50, lows around 30. Now I know that for those coming from north that still might be nice (would be for my D in Va :)). Safe travel to all and good luck.</p>
<p>carokaykay - We are back from McNair Finalist Weekend. Take heart that you were not the only one to make a tough choice about attending. I hope your alternate activity went fabulously. The admissions staff and faculty were clear that all McNair Finalists were top notch students with excellent academics + something extra that showed leadership and intellectual curiosity. The students not named as McNair Scholars would be named Horseshoe Scholars with nearly all the McNair perks, but a slightly smaller scholarship value. The Lieber (National Merit) award is allowed to be "stacked’ on top of a McNair/Horseshoe award up to the COA of USC. While the interviewers did have a scoring rubric, the interviews were conducted like a conversation. The panel members were very familiar with each student’s written application. Most of the students seem to feel good about the process and left with a positive impression.</p>