<p>Does anyone have an idea of what it takes to get a large merit scholarship ar UR? At least full tuition. D is an URM.</p>
<p>The most important thing for consideration for a merit scholarship is to INTERVIEW. You cannot be considered for merit scholarships unless you do. You need not interview on campus--you can interview with the regional rep.</p>
<p>When you create your admissions application account online at UR, there will be a section that lists "Local Events". Check there regularly and request an interview when a local event is scheduled-- these will be sometime during the fall. I'll repeat it because it's important: you do not have to make a campus visit to interview, but you must have an interview with a school representative. UR does not use alumni interviewers. </p>
<p>UR offers up to 10 full tuition merit scholarships (Renaissance) each year, plus up to 10 1/2 tuition scholarships (Genessee). There are some additional smaller merit awards as well. </p>
<p>As far as I can tell, the Ren and Genny scholars are chosen based upon a holistic analysis. The committee considers grades, scores, ECs, leadership, community service and the personal statement/essays. </p>
<p>There isn't a set GPA or SAT score that will guarantee you a merit award--although I've heard that NM finalists are guaranteed a small ($5000) merit award. Not sure about that though.</p>
<p>My D received a Genessee Scholarship and another girl from our town (who D went to middle school with but not high school, and who is my best friend's D best friend) received a Renaissance. A third local girl I know was a Ren finalist, but didn't receive an award.</p>
<p>Impressive in what ways? I think my D is impressive, but probably not in ways that most people would see. For example, she is writing a novel for her HS culiminating project when most of the people she knows are doing projects that require a few day's worth of work rather than a couple of years. She's not a great mathematician, but she hasn't shied away from taking the hardest math curriculum available like some of her friends have done to preserve their GPAs. I'm not sure how she's going to come across on paper or in an interview.</p>
<p>I hear you. I think my D is pretty impressive, but then I'm her mom... </p>
<p>I didn't mean impressive in terms of academics. (And yeah, both D and the other girl took hard classes that were GPA killers...just because they wanted to and were interested in the subject. Not because they looked good.)</p>
<p>I meant impressive in terms of personal qualities.</p>
<p>Both girls have had significant, long term involvement with community service activities that were meaningful and not mere resume fillers. Both girls have each also overcome significant, major life-event difficulties--which I'm not going to discuss on a public forum.</p>
<p>While D noted that all of the finalists she met while doing her final interview had great academics, the kids who actually received the scholarships tended (she thought with one exception) to be the ones who were most grounded and least pretentious.</p>
<p>Which scholarship would you think I have the most chance of getting (Renaissance or Genessee) based on my stats?</p>
<p>Tests:
<strong><em>ACT -- 35 composite with 8 on writing</em></strong>
SAT I -- not as high as ACT, so doesn't matter
<strong><em>SAT II -- 800 Math II, 800 Chem, 740 Physics</em></strong>
PSAT -- 204 (back when my reading score sucked... oh well)</p>
<p>Academics:
Unweighted Cumulative (9th through 11th grade) GPA -- 4.000
Weighted Cumulative (9th through 11th grade) GPA -- 4.533</p>
<h1>1 or #2 in class (we don't rank except for val and salud, so I'm not completely sure which one I am)</h1>
<p>AP Tests (so far):
-Human Geo -- 3 (screwed up on this one...)
-World History -- 4
-Chemistry -- 5
-Physics B -- 5
-Calculus AB -- 5
AP Tests next year:
-Calculus BC
-U.S. Government and Politics
-Language and Composition
-Literature and Composition
-Biology</p>
<p>Extracurriculars/Clubs:
140 Hours of Community Service (we need 80 to graduate)
Marching Band, Concert Band, and Pep Band
Band Council (President)
National Honor Society
Beta Club
Engineering Club (Officer)
Science Club (Officer)
French Club
State History Day (not sure if that really matters or not..)
National French Honor Society
Mu Alpha Theta</p>
<p>Other Awards:
Science Award (9th, 10th, 11th Grade)
Social Studies award (9th and 10th grade)
Outstanding band student (9th, 10th, 11th grade)
Louis Armstrong Jazz Award (11th Grade)
AR All-State Band (10th and 11th Grade)
Chemistry Olympiad finalist (11th grade)</p>
<p>I'm not sure if the clubs and other awards are really necessary for the scholarships, but I just copied these from my chance thread anyway. This is what I remember from my high school career, so if I missed anything and remember it later, I'll post it on here.</p>
<p>It is NOT true that you have to interview in order to be considered for a merit scholarship. My son never interviewed and was still given a very generous merit scholarship from UR (not the Renaissance or Genessee scholarship). However, I would still encourage you to interview if at all possible to make sure you get every consideration for the top awards.</p>
<p>My son was a finalist for the Ren. He ended up being awarded a 1/2 scholarship. (He chose to attend a different school.) I will give you his info:</p>
<p>GPA: 4.0 (school doesn't weight)
ACT: 34 SAT: 2040 Did not take SAT IIs
NM Finalist
Did not have any AP exam scores at time of application</p>
<p>Classes included 4 years of English, 3 of History, 5.5 years of science including Adv. Chem, Adv. Physics and Adv. Bio., Math through Calc. BC, French through AP French. </p>
<p>His ECs included extensive involvement in music and theater, but no major awards in any of them. To be honest, I was surprised that he was chosen as a finalist. He is a great kid and interviews quite well. He had wonderful recs, but he doesn't have anything that makes him really jump out at you.</p>
<p>When you apply to UR, you're automatically entered into consideration for merit awards. There's not a separate application.</p>
<p>From UR's finaid message board:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Q. What are the criteria for the Renaissance Scholarship?</p>
<p>As we review applications for admission, we consider a broad range of criteria: academics, activities & interests, essays, recommendations, interviews, diversity factors, standardized test scores, curriculum rigor, life experiences, et cetera. And, when a student's application really stands out, we can nominate him/her for the Renaissance Scholarship. There aren't any specific GPAs or test scores required; our decisions are based on our holistic review of the application. Renaissance finalists are invited to campus for interviews, after which we make our final scholarship decisions. Although an interview isn't required to be nominated for the Scholarship, it often increases a student's chances of being invited. The only required interview is the one for the finalists.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>When you apply to UR, you're automatically entered into consideration for merit awards. There's not a separate application.</p>
<p>From UR's message board:</p>
<p>Q. What are the criteria for the Renaissance Scholarship</p>
<p>
[quote]
As we review applications for admission, we consider a broad range of criteria: academics, activities & interests, essays, recommendations, interviews, diversity factors, standardized test scores, curriculum rigor, life experiences, et cetera. And, when a student's application really stands out, we can nominate him/her for the Renaissance Scholarship. There aren't any specific GPAs or test scores required; our decisions are based on our holistic review of the application. Renaissance finalists are invited to campus for interviews, after which we make our final scholarship decisions. Although an interview isn't required to be nominated for the Scholarship, it often increases a student's chances of being invited. The only required interview is the one for the finalists.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>As for your chances-- I haven't a clue. Both D and I were shocked when we recieved her letter notifying of her Ren interview. </p>
<p>D's standardized score are lower than yours. Her GPA was a 4.34. (4.4 is the highest possible at her school) She had 4 APs, plus 2 semesters of post-AP level math. Diverse ECs (jazz band, theater, creative writing, 2 sports, speech). Tons of community service both through her school and outside of it. Received several awards for her community service (including a commendation from the state legislature--which she didn't mention on her application) and 2 for leadership. Nominated for a major national student leadership scholarship. D also had a year-round job and for the past 2 years worked 2 jobs in the summer. (Gah! No wonder she was never home...)</p>
<p>D's Ren interview went terribly--and she usually interviews pretty well.</p>
<p>I was looking through the national merit semifinalist packet thing and saw UR on the list of colleges that will award merit scholarship awards to finalists... does anyone know what kind of scholarship they give?</p>
<p>D received a NM scholarship through UR. What's nice is that they renew the NM scholarship yearly (otherwise, it is a one-shot deal at non-participating schools) and also give her a merit aid NM supplement as well.</p>
<p>If you are a NM finalist and interested in UR, it is a pretty good deal.</p>
<p>How much money do they give for NM finalist? I just found out I got NM Semifinalist, and I'll be taking the SAT again to see if I can get a 2200 or a 2260 or so (something close to my 35 ACT, and a 2200 is a 33 and a 2260 is a 34). That way, I'll hopefully get finalist (plus with my grades and GPA and stuff). Anyway, so UR's NM scholarships are pretty good?</p>
<p>Peytoncline, if you are a National Merit Finalist, an admitted student, AND you choose Rochester as your first choice on the College Board's form, you are entitled to a total of $22,000 per year.</p>
<p>Just for National Merit Finalist? Woah, that's a pretty awesome deal; hopefully I'll get the Renaissance or the Genessee scholarship too and go there for pretty cheap (or actually be getting money back if I get the Renaissance scholarship. That's pretty sweet!). Thanks for the info!</p>
<p>You can't add the Genessee to the NMF award. If you are selected for the Renaissance scholarship you would receive that award only, not both.</p>
<p>Oh, I see, crap. Oh well, at least the Renaissance is still $37,500.</p>
<p>Is it possible to receive both a merit scholarship and financial aid?</p>
<p>IsabelB--</p>
<p>Of course. Merit aid is awarded regardless of need, and need-based aid is, well, based on need.</p>
<p>Both merit-based and need-based, AND loans, combined, make up one's "financial aid"</p>
<p>What I didn't understand when D started school was that merit aid reduces the amount of need-based aid awarded.</p>
<p>dweinerman, is the $22K/yr automatic awarded to any NMF who met the other two criteria you stated if you just apply?</p>
<p>is it to late to interview for merit scholarships?</p>