<p>Recently, my family just filled out our EFC, which says that my family will be expected to pay about 30,000 dollars a year for college. This wasnt exactly great news to my family because they are both unwilling and almost unable to pay this amount to any school. So, I am kind of praying that not only do I get into Rice but that I also get some kind of merit aid there. So, if you guys could looks at my stats and ECs below and give me an idea about my chances at getting any academic scholarships, Id really appreciate it!</p>
<p>GPA: 4.0 (UW) and 4.1 (W)
Rank: 1/327
ACT: 35
SAT: 2340-----800 CR, 780 W, 760 M (Only took test one time)
SAT 2: Taking in Oct.. will probably get 750+ on them all though
Race: White (Serbian)
State of Residency: NE
Recs and Essays: Both amazing
Desired Major/Minor- Bio/Econ</p>
<p>Main School ECs:
FBLA (9-12) Historian and Treasurer
SADD(9-12) Class Rep for 3 years
Science Club (11-12) President and Founder
AcDec (10-12) Captain for 2 years
Olympus Club (9-12) Actice Member
NHS (11-12) Possible office position next year</p>
<p>Community Service:
Red Cross--350 hours
Sunday School Teacher for 2nd and 3rd Graders---250 hours
American Cancer Society-----100 hours
Founded Organization that Raises money for Serbian Orphans-----200 hours
Volunteered at Local Congressman's Office----150 hours</p>
<p>Sports-
Did Cross Country for 2 years but was only an average runner...no awards or anything</p>
<p>Awards:
1st Place in Cell Bio and 3rd in Health Science at State Science Olympiad
1st in Health Science and 3rd in Disease Detectives at NE Regional Science Olympiad
1st in State Econ Challenge...flew to Houston for free and got 5th Place in Midwest
1st in State Microeconomics at Econ Challenge
2nd in State Finance Challenge 2008
3rd in State Finance Challenge 2007
3rd in Regional Economics Challenge
4th in state at Cyber Security Competition
Friend of Alexander Hamilton Merit Award Winner
President's Gold Volunteer Award
Represented my HS at NE State Leadership Seminar
Local Radio Station and News Station's volunteer of the year award
At least commended for National Merit
Won Like 20 regional AcDec Awards (was a top scorer at all of the competitions we were at)
Nominated for NCTE competition...but I dont think I won or anything
Won a couple of Quiz Bowls
Won like 3rd and 4th in state at various "Knowledge Master" competitions</p>
<p>Work Experience:</p>
<p>Working as a paid research intern with a doctor at my local med center---may submit research to Siemens but who knows </p>
<p>well, unwilling isnt gonna cut it. the EFC is based on family assets and salary etc, and yes you should be able to pay it.</p>
<p>Your stats are good. now, a lot of the merit scholrships arent numerical. So I dont know what kind of research/internships/enterpreneurs you will be competing against</p>
<p>you have solid stats and have a good chance. honestly, if the EFC is 30k thats what you have to pay. just sit tight and hope that a merit scholarship comes through</p>
<p>i would advise looking at third party sources too</p>
<p>Hmm ok…are my ECs on par with people who did receive merit scholarships though? I understand who receives scholarships is somewhat arbitrary at most places…however if I nail my essays and stuff would I have a decent chance at getting some aid?</p>
<p>umm… dude, i have no idea. we arent the adcoms, so how impressive they find you is based on what they see and your essays</p>
<p>Couple things</p>
<ol>
<li><p>APPLY and see. if they come through, good. if not ah well. figure something out</p></li>
<li><p>You have good stats. I wulod say in scholarship contention. what scholarship and how much, no clue</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Im curious about one thing. how would our answers here change anything. like whats your choice? to apply or not? im confused</p>
<p>Fair question. Your answers, while not going to change any outcome directly, will provide me with feedback that will help me plan my “application strategy.” If you guys said that there is no way id receive any merit money, then I would try to invest more time in my apps to schools that provide more financial aid (HYP-type schools) and make me start seriously considering attending state school for free. Additionally, Rice is my number one choice for school and I also wanted to at least know I stood at shot at scholarships…kinda a peace of mind thing.</p>
<p>cdz512-
Ya, I am interested in the BS/MD program too. However, I would still attend Rice over any other school if I think I could afford to pay it…so ya I love Rice by itself too.</p>
<p>fair enough. yes, you have a shot. And honestly, I would apply to Rice and try to get state schools as well. Shoot for Rice, and if it doesnt work then hopefully you have a cheaper alternative</p>
<p>i cant realy be of much more help. i wish u luck. if you have more questions, post back</p>
No I think you will get merit money. Merit scholarships are based on merit more than your EFC (if I remember right). So you probably will get some. Your FA (not including scholarship, however will not be a lot because your EFC is pretty much the cost of attendance to Rice).
Good luck!</p>
<p>Merit money has NOTHING to do with your EFC. Definitely apply and see what happens!</p>
<p>One piece of advice I would give you is it looks like you have a lot of extracurriculars and awards. To avoid looking like a machine, I would pick a certain category (economics? science? etc.) and make it really personal as to how it shaped your character and your approach to life. This will show what you gain from experiences, other than just racking up awards for your resume. if that makes any sense.</p>
<p>But everything looks strong and you really have nothing to lose.</p>
<p>I was in the exact same situation (parents couldn’t pay EFC) but Rice ended up coming through with amazing merit money, and actually need-based aid on appeal (my dad lost his job during Owl Days). Now I can’t imagine going to any other school in the fall.</p>
<p>Hmm thats interesting college316…and something that has kind of bothered me on my app. As of now, I am writing about Charles Darwin and how he has inspired/influenced me in my common app essay, which I kind of use to emphasize my love of bio and indirectly spirituality. Additionally, I will probably try to underscore my love of both science and econ in my why rice essay. So, hopefully I do an ok job of showing my passion there. However, would you say that I shouldnt list every award ive won to avoid sounding like I compiled a laundary list.</p>
No. You’ve said your EFC is $30,000. Cost of attendance includes room and board etc. and is shown as $45685 for 09-10 school year. (This is a flexible amount since it depends on your frugality, cost of housing and transportation, etc.)
Honestly, don’t let the uninformed opinions of student and parents on a forum (that includes MY opinions!!! ;)) change your plans. We are NOT on the admissions committee - and for a given level of talent (as in many of the kid on CC, who all seem to have very high scores, rank, ECs etc.) there is NO way to accurately predict these things. Okay? Okay - now crank out a great application and here’s hoping you get a great FA package or scholarship in the fall…</p>
<p>At OP: There was another thread that you started a few days back where merit scholarships recipients, myself included, actually posted some information on what we thought made us stand out. Here it is: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/rice-university/746210-trustee-distinguished-scholars.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/rice-university/746210-trustee-distinguished-scholars.html</a>. The only reason I know what made my stand out was that the admission’s officers told one of the counselors in my school’s guidance office (who knows me well but isn’t my counselor) when she was done visiting. As everyone has stated, it comes down to the intangibles, such as specific talents, exceptional leadership, math/science award winners (i.e. Siemens, Intel, etc.), and others. So the merit scholarship, in my opinion, hinges on two things: your extracurriculars and your essays. I would also suggest you attach a resume with your MOST IMPORTANT (not every single one) extracurriculars and awards… you have more room to list other extracurriculars/awards that you can’t fit into the application itself.</p>
<p>Biggest piece of advise: Be yourself in the essays and write sincerely on what gets you going or some passion. Obviously, be creative, but don’t write the essay with the intent of pleasing the admissions officers (of course, you are writing them to get in, but make sure you don’t suck up to the admissions people in your essays because they can see right through that). The essays should be true self-reflections in which you write sincerely about your passions/activities.</p>