<p>i dont understand. “UR doesnt use alumni interviews.” I am based in the West Coast and I have an alumni interview soon. that doesnt count for anything???</p>
<p>Maybe things have changed. I know that last year D was told UR doesn’t do alumni interviews. (Since we lived far away from almost all of the schools D applied to, most of her other interviews were with alumni.)</p>
<p>D’s UR interview was with a traveling admissions rep in October. (And, no, she didn’t apply ED.)</p>
<p>The NMF scholarship is given out if you are admitted. As for alumni interviews, we do use them in the admissions process; they do count for something.</p>
<p>It looks likely that my son will be a NMF. He applied Regular Decision to Univ. of Rochester and is waiting to hear if he will be admitted. If he does become a NMF and is admitted, does anyone know the deadline for choosing U of R as his 1st choice in order to receive the NMF Scholarship? May 31 or earlier?</p>
<p>A lot of what is being said is true. You obv. need good grades, and some ec.</p>
<p>However, I can tell you from firsthand experience with 4 close friends who are Ren. Scholars.</p>
<p>everyone has good grade. Honestly, 80% of ppl who go here have high HS GPA, and high test scores. </p>
<p>What all the Ren. Scholar has in common is unique life stories. </p>
<p>So unless there is something unusual in your past, good grades and scores don’t really give u any advantage. It’s more about how you overcame something to be where u are now.</p>
<p>And that is conveyed via the essays.</p>
<p>I know a Renaissance Scholar, too, and she had nothing unusual in her past nor did she overcome anything. It was about her and a few unique qualities and interests that she had. So if you haven’t had hardships, don’t worry about it. Emphasize what makes you unique and interesting.</p>
<p>Ren scholars are selected because they are unique and interesting people who will make a positive impact on the school. They are all good students with strong test scores and GPAs, but also kids who have something <em>extra</em> to offer. </p>
<p>In my D’s case, I believe she was selected because of her outstanding community service record. (And while she does have her own ‘overcoming adversity’ story–that was the one thing she didn’t write about or talk about in any of her essays or interviews.) </p>
<p>And she’s a kid who is making an impact on campus–she’s only a freshman, but already she’s TAing Calc 2 and is a nominee for this year’s Simeon Cheatham Award for community service to children.</p>
<p>UR definitely does alumni interviews, I had one over the phone about a month ago.</p>