Hey guys I’m applying to BMC next year and I am considering it as a moderate safety school for me. I really hope I will get some merit money, but I’m not sure. Based on my info below, could you guys let me know what you think?
GPA- currently 4.3 Weighted, not weighted 3.88
ACT- 35 (36 R, 35 S, 35 E, 34 M)
Class rank- probably top 10%
Italian Subject SAT- 770
APs- probably 9
Course load (just honors/AP): I’m taking almost the most rigorous courses possible
AP: World History, Psych, Lang. & Comp, Bio, US Hist, Euro, Environmental, Lit, and French
Honors: Chem, French (4 yrs), US History, Calc
Honors/Awards:
National French Exam- Silver Award: won Sophomore year 2015, one of 2 people to win it
High Honor role- all of HS
AP Scholar
National Merit Commended student, possibly Semifinalist as well
Probably more in the future
You could definitely get merit from Bryn Mawr. I had very similar stats when I applied this year (it was also my moderate safety), and they gave me the maximum amount of merit aid as their President’s Scholarship (~$30,000).
Best wishes! BMC is an incredible school; I’m so excited to start there next year!
Thanks so much @suzybishop ! That’s really good to know. Do you know how many people get merit scholarships? And do you know how much money they usually get?
Not sure about how many people get merit (or the typical amount), because I don’t personally know anyone else who applied. I would just put out your best possible application to maximize your chances of getting accepted and getting really generous merit aid. Have good stats (which you do), really good recommendations, essay, do an interview, a rigorous senior year schedule, etc.
No idea @teh18 but its probably harder to get it in RD because they’ve already given out a bunch to ED. But they might also save them for RD to attract students and get them to commit.
A merit award is a recruiting tool used to entice admitted students to matriculate. It serves little purpose to give a merit award to an ED admit. They have already committed to the college. Also, a merit award replaces need-based aid dollar for dollar. A merit award cannot be “stacked” on top of need-based aid.
GPA- was a 3.85 unweighted, 4.2 something weighted (sorry I don’t remember exactly!)
ACT- 30 (I sent to Bryn Mawr, they’re test optional)
Class rank- my HS didn’t rank
SAT subject test: US History (750)
AP exams: US History (5), US Government (5)
various IB exams, I didn’t have my scores when I applied to schools.
Course load (2 AP classes + full IB Diploma): APUSH, AP US Gov, IB English (HL), IB Film (HL), IB History (HL), IB spanish ab (SL), IB Environmental systems (SL), and IB Math Studies
extracurricular-
editor of school newspaper
exec producer of county television show
Bryn Mawr was my safety when I was first looking, but I ended up loving it so much that I applied early decision. Hope this helps!
@ricka8 you should NEVER apply ED to a college that is unaffordable without merit aid.
Think about it from a college’s perspective, who would they give aid to:
Student 1 is an extremely high stat student, and he applied ED. This student has fully committed to attending the university.
Student 2 has the same stats, but he applied RD. The university is inclined to offer a large scholarship in order to persuade the student to attend their university.
By applying ED, you lose all bargaining chips. ED should be used as a weapon for reach schools you have a low chance of getting into, but the school would be affordable either through guaranteed financial need or a large college fund.
