Merit Scholarships

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Delaware
81

<p>2.87 unweighted 3.25 weighted
was it a magnet public? Perhaps UD knows the rigor of this kids HS, Bronx Science, Stuyvesant?
still got a 1980 on SATS as well as impressive Chem score and Math score.</p>

<p>I know the val of my kids school had a 101 weighted yet only a 92 unweighted.That GPA in our school 90=3.0 Have you seen the grade distribution from the above accepted kids school? Perhaps not the typical over grade inflated environment most schools grade on. </p>

<p>Perhaps this kid is bringing something unique to the campus? PErhaps from another part of the US that doesn;t usually attend UD.</p>

<p>I wouldn't mind having a Dean from UPenn as the President of the University my kid attended</p>

82

<p>Artiedad - talk about entitlement! a kid who didn't work hard should be handed opportunities in hopes they might decide to crack a book? now that's what I would call "entitlement!" -if you could expand your mind a second "lesser student " doesn't refer to "lesser person". Colleges, including UD, rate kids on grades. It's their system not mine. My Mom is a great person but would be the first one to tell you she was a "lesser student" who didn't apply herself. She was born in a time when hard work paid off & there were no entitlements. This isn't Cuba, but if you want UD to go to a "feelings" based criteria or you think they already have, good luck.</p>

83

<p>samiamy- I agree with the points you say but, just to clarify, the student said they were "surprised" to be accepted- not me. You have to believe he or she is more familiar with their own extenuating circumstances than you or I. I have absolutely no problem with and truly hope this person 'blossoms" but it it does surprise me that such a GPA gets admitted but a 4.0 is offered only 3k. Good luck.</p>

84

<p>a7856336: "Colleges, including UD, rate kids on grades"</p>

<p>I think this is where the disconnect is. Most colleges, and certainly the selective ones, use a variety of other criteria to select students. Otherwise why are there students with perfect grades and perfect SATs rejected from Harvard or Stanford?</p>

<p>I am not involved in college admissions but I believe colleges admit students on potential, and potential is correlated, but not directly connected, to grades and test scores.</p>

<p>In order for you to talk about "lesser students" you need to have a metric. Even if you limit yourself to grades and test scores such a metric does not exist.</p>

<p>Student A: 3.8 GPA 1300/1600 SAT 2 APs; first violin in the orchestra.
Student B: 3.6 GPA 1450/1600 SAT 1 AP; captain of the basketball team.</p>

<p>Can you name the "lesser" student? Who deserves admission and the scholarship: student A or student B?</p>

85

<p>artiesdad- I think the real disconnect is that you and K9 & Mntest are veteran posters who are looking at things philosophically from a school's point of view (with which you have a relationship). Nothing wrong with that. But many viewing this board have my dilemma. From a parent's point a view, this school has been recruiting my kid making certain representations & I am doing any due diligence as I see fit & that would include at times pushing a point to find the truth. Some UD people have even provided me valuable insight off the board. Oh & by the way, this school is asking me to hand them over $150k (assuming moderate increases) over the next 4 years & I will be making a judgment on that investment. I wish you and your child good luck. I'll be off CC in a month or so & you guys can have your boards back.</p>

86

<p>a7856336:</p>

<p>The problem is that as part of your due diligence you are making accusations about the school, statements about the direction it is going and, for good measure, dropping labels like "lesser students" on its community. (by the way, I would still be curious to know who would you define as the lesser student in post #84.) You only want to hear from people that will confirm your already negative view of the school; the rest of us are cheerleaders.</p>

<p>The view I am expressing regarding college admissions is far from being philosophical. It is as pragmatic as it comes, and it is based in what I have seen in two college and one graduate admission "seasons".</p>

87

<p>
[quote]
. . . a net after merit COA approaching 30k for students in top 1-3% rank doesn't strike me as competitive for these admission standards. the COA's you quoted in your post were significantly lower

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well, here are some quick numbers:</p>

<p>From CollegeBoard.com, Fall 2008 T&F + R&B</p>

<p>UD Cost vs. Public Universities
TCNJ $20,415 + 9,612 = $30,027
Rutgers 21,488 +10,232 = $31,720
Maryland 23076 + 9,109 = $32,185
Penn State 24,940 + 8,270 = $33,110
Delaware 21,126 + 8478 = 29,604</p>

<p>UD Cost vs. Privates (USNWR National Universities ranking noted)
(USNWR only used to identify privates that are, by some measure, comparable - I don't put much stock in the USNWR rankings other than as a very general/vague source for very general/vague comparison)</p>

<h1>53 Syracuse 33440 + 11656 = $45,096</h1>

<h1>60 Boston U. 37050 + 11418 = $48,468</h1>

<h1>61 Fordham 35257 + 12980 = $48,237</h1>

<h1>71 Delaware 21126 + 8478 = $29,604</h1>

<h1>76 Baylor 27910 + 7971 = $35,881</h1>

<h1>77 Marquette 29096 + 9288 = $38,384</h1>

<h1>80 St. Louis U. 30728 + 8760 = $39,488</h1>

<h1>83 American U. 33283 + 12418 = $45,701</h1>

<p>And, because it is a common private cross apply:
Villanova 37655 + 10070 = $47,725 (#1 Master’s universities, North)</p>

<p>So, I think what I said stands up - UD OOS is a little better than surrounding publics and is a bargain compared to privates, especially compared to the privates in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic.</p>

<p>
[quote]
talk about entitlement! a kid who didn't work hard should be handed opportunities in hopes they might decide to crack a book?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Fortunately, the notion that a higher GPA is 100% directly correlated to how hard the student worked is something admissions staffs were disabused of many years ago. There are plenty of hard working kids whose GPAs may not be in the stratosphere but who are desirable for their work ethic, their skills due to their particular intelligence (see Gardner's Multiple Intelligences), and other factors. As a teacher, I see it all the time. Frankly, my "best" students aren't always the ones with the all the "A"s - very often, they are the ones who work the hardest for the "B"s and "C"s. Ever seen the movie Rudy? </p>

<p>Beyond that, a university knows it can't fill its freshman class of 3,000 by simply accepting the 3,000 students with the highest GPAs and telling the rest to go pound sand. It has to work for a well-rounded, diverse student population, and that means taking kids of all kinds, all of whom are weaker in some things and stronger in others. </p>

<p>A78, disappointment is understandable, but your level of anger and resentment is disconcerting. Your daughter was accepted into the Honors program at a top university and even offered some merit aid in a time of economic turmoil - Gov. Markell announced today that all State of Delaware employees, which includes teachers and UD staff and faculty, will be getting 8-10% pay cuts for the next fiscal year to try to deal with the budget shortfall. If the offer from UD is not doable for you, then your D should drop it from her list and focus on other choices.</p>

88

<p><<mtnest- you're="" totally="" off="" the="" point.="" if="" you="" could="" put="" pom="" poms="" down="" a="" second="" might="" be="" able="" to="" see="" big="" picture.="" it's="" not="" about="" my="" kid.="" when="" ud="" recruits="" out="" of="" state,="" which="" are="" -so="" maybe="" didn't="" get="" same="" sales="" pitch,="" they="" portray="" school="" proactively="" focused="" on="" improving="" its="" academic="" standing.="">></mtnest-></p>

<p>We do not LIVE in Delaware. We are OOS!!! They have a top ten Chemical Engineering dept. thus my child applied. He was lucky enough to be chosen to interview for the DuPont. He does not attend UDEL nor do I have any other children at UDEL. So please, I am tired of reading how I am a "cheerleader" for the school because I have a child there. </p>

<p>Doesn't matter how much you disagree with the process, the decision is the school's and they are choosing students they want utilizing the scholarships to pull those kids in. It is unfortunate that many students/parents believe they are "entitle" to scholarships as it only causes feelings of disappointment and anger when it doesn't show up. This is what we told our child last year: Don't expect anything but be grateful and thankful for anything that comes your way. We were surprised when the scholarships rolled in and thankful that he had so many choices. And if he had received nothing, then he would have accepted it and would have attended our state flagship. We are extremely lucky that we live in a state with some great universities.</p>

89

<p>
[quote]
this school is asking me to hand them over $150k (assuming moderate increases) over the next 4 years

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well, actually, you and your daughter asked UD to let you buy an education . . . and . . . and they said "yes."</p>

90

<p>K9- there's no anger here towards you, hope there's none your side- but you did all that work & you didn't read my post- it's like when one of your students puts in a diligent effort but answers the wrong question. We all can read coa's - you know & I there are many better schools on that list who work out much less after merit than UD for a kid in the top 3% -we've got offers at several & I'm sure you did too. I'm assessing the pro's & cons of THIS school. Admitting 2.8's & offering valedictorians 5k are the facts as presented on this board. Whether they're lowering standards & ringing the cash register on out of state kids is for each student or parent to decide. I'm not saying it's wrong, just saying that's what they're doing -according to this board. BTW - UD contacted my daughter 1st, many times as a matter of fact, if your keeping score. </p>

<p>MTnest- I would take your posts more seriously if you could educate me on one significant area of the school that you think could use some improvement. Tx</p>

91

<p>I really don't need for you to take me seriously -- it is advice -- take it or leave it.</p>

<p>It is obvious that you feel the school is academically lacking. It is up to you to decide whether you want to pay the bill. It is you and your daughter's choice at the end of the day.</p>

<p>Once again, the school OWES you nothing! You are taking this way too personally as UDEL picked on your child to shaft. Yes, I heard you say how it isn't about your child but really -- you are protesting way too much for it not to be "personal". </p>

<p>Anyways, this has been interesting but a waste of energy. Good luck to your daughter -- I hope she gets to go to her first choice of schools (I assume it was Cornell).</p>

92

<p>I've been following this conversation for a few days. UDel was my son's 1st/2nd choice, and he was waitlisted. Obviously not what he was hoping for, and it amazes me to see folks complaining that they think their kid got too little money to attend. We would be grateful for the acceptance, period. </p>

<p>If you really are all that unhappy with your amount of merit money, then move on to something better. I don't understand what all the back and forth is all about. Do you want people to say, "Yeah, your child was robbed!" and commiserate, or are you hoping for helpful advice on how to maybe get the school to up the amount?</p>

<p>I'm not trying to start something, my comment isn't deserving of a reply, it's just me airing my confusion as to the purpose of the post.</p>

93

<p>Zimmer:</p>

<p>Well, I hope your son gets the call from UD, if that is where he wants to be. If not, I hope that he makes the most of wherever he chooses. My wife transferred into the college we both graduated from after having been rejected twice and then waitlisted and only getting the call the week before she was supposed to show up at some other school. Lucky break for me!</p>

<p>You are right - it is amazing how some people will "look a gift horse in the mouth" . . . and then won't let it go. We are frustrating creatures, aren't we? </p>

<p>Anyway, good luck - it will all work out.</p>

<p>K9Leader</p>

94

<p>A78:
Serenity now. Serenity now.
K9</p>

95

<p>Goodbye guys & good luck to your kids. We will be "moving on". UD, ironically, was my daughter's (& mine) top pick of the schools we visited . However, she has some offers at higher ranked schools at far less cost. She absolutely had a fondness for UD & so do I -believe it or not. Based on my contact with admissions, she was very close to being in the top 100 but may have just missed. Despite, any disagreement we may have she would have been a true asset to UD. She's a hard worker, very humble, & ranks as highly in popularity with her peers as she does academically. She actually drives to friends house's at night to help them after school , work, and & finishing her own schoolwork. Many of these kids are just as intelligent, if not more so, but they've taken up the the practice of "senior napping" in lieu of attending classes during the day.
I will likely be back at UD in a few years. My younger daughter is having a great time in HS majoring in Facebook & texting. Despite our best efforts, we get still get comments from teachers that she is working below potential. She does, however, have enough street smarts to achieve the minimal admission standards or at least get waitlisted. UD will be a great value from her. So one day when she's woken up from a senior nap to find out she's taking the place of kid who worked hard but chose not to attend, I will not be thinking "life isn't fair" & do not now. I will be thinking "you get what you pay for UD", now when's orientation?- she's all yours. See you in a few.</p>

96

<p>a7856336: What a classy way to part, using your kid (or pretend kid) to take a final cheap shot at UD. I am pretty sure your daughter will be successful wherever she decides to attend. I also hope you truly find a way to move on and enjoy what is otherwise a special, if bittersweet, time for a parent.</p>

<p>Cheers!</p>

97

<p>Adad- If anyone is lacking in class sufficiently to imply that I'm lying, I will post to defend myself. The post I wrote is 100% the truth. My younger daughter could use a wake-up call. I will not be the one to tell her, at this age, that the only thing at stake re her lack of effort vs what her sister put in over her lifetime is a mere $3,000 at a ranked university. I will be Oscar Madison. I'll tell her to ta-a-ke the envelope when that UD letter comes, even if I don't think she earned it. If your implying that my post was a shot at UD, you're implying that my younger daughter is a "lesser student" - which you yourself find offensive.
Cheers.</p>

98

<p>a7856336:</p>

<p>Because of my connection to UD and appreciation for what it has done for my daughter I let this conversation get too personal. Apologies for doubting what you wrote was true; it was uncalled for.</p>

<p>Good luck to you and your children. Despite all the aggravation associated with the process things always work in the end.</p>

99

<p>Has anyone succeeded in getting more merit aid after the initial decision? My son has stats similar to the OP except his overall SAT is lower (but m/v is 1320). 4 AP’s with a score of 4 in soph/junior years, and taking 4 more this year. They accepted him into the honors program but only offered $3k. I stopped in to speak to someone in FA when we were at the accepted students open house on Saturday. He said he would have someone look at it and get back to me but obviously no commitment that they’d do anything (however, he did look up my son’s records when he went to get a business card for me, because when he returned and I mentioned that he was in the honors program, he said he had noticed that when he looked him up). I can hope :-).</p>

<p>In my son’s case, he has a $4k scholarship offer from SUNY Albany, which would be in-state tuition and way cheaper than UDel to begin with, plus a New York Regents Scholarship that he would be walking away from because it’s only valid for in-state schools.</p>

<p>Apparently none of the other kids in his school who got accepted to UDel got any money.</p>

100

<p>With all this talk about Merit-Based at UDel, I would like to know how my d’s friend got into UDel with average grades and average SAT scores and got Merit-Based Scholarship of $15K/year plus another $7K/year ($22K total)? Could it be the fact that her parents are not American citizens? One is from Mexico and one is from South America? Another kid from my d’s school with bad grades got in, although with no aid, but propably had a sad essay? I would like to know how this is upping their academic standards? My d got nothing, with above average grades, Sat scores, tons of Community Service, and athletics. She got wait-listed and then got in.</p>