<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>