<p>Does anyone know about how and when W&L decides about Merit based scholarships other than the Johnson. S is pretty bummed about not being selected as a Johnson Scholar because he felt that his interviews went exceedingly well and he hit it off with one of the professors interviewing him. This is not a "I deserved it" situation, but more of a "maybe I am not good enough and I don't want my parents to spend all that money". He is now starting to look at other schools but I really think that W&L is a perfect fit for him. I think his attitude would change if he were awarded one of the other scholarships even if it is not a full ride. We are fortunate enough that he will not qualify for a need based award, but still it is a large amount of money if we have to pay full tuition.</p>
<p>There are a handful of other merit scholarships, most of which are awarded to students from a particular geographic area or students who plan to study a particular field. Recipients of these awards would be notified with the official admissions decision, which will be out next week.</p>
<p>When you think you did well and then don’t, you wind up distrusting yourself. Not being selected as a Johnson Scholar would have felt less painful if S had come away from the competition believing he’d blown it. He may not be able to hear it now, but he should know that all of the semifinalists (and MANY who don’t make it that far in the process) are worthy. </p>
<p>Since you feel like W&L is a perfect fit for him, it might help for him to go to the April Accepted Students Day and see how many amazing kids were not Johnson semifinalists or finalists. Other than having a photograph taken early in their first year, Johnsons are not treated differently from other W&L students – no special housing, priority course registration, seminars, etc. </p>
<p>Don’t remember the other schools you son has applied to, but assume that if he was selected as a Johnson semifinalist that he will have other good choices. I truly believe that ultimately our kids are successful based on what they do in school, not where they go. Once all his acceptances are in and his initial shock and hurt has subsided, you’ll be in a better position to decide if W&L is worth paying full tuition or if another school could be a perfect fit as well. There is just no making sense of admissions and scholarship decisions sometimes.</p>
<p>It is so nice to see a response like this. Well reasoned. Well written. </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Thank you for the very good and inspirational response Yaupon . S was accepted to Colombia. Since no scholarship to W&L, it looks like that is where he will be going. Although wife and I would much prefer W & L. But congratulations to all who were accepted and especially those who won the Johnson!</p>