<p>How do these things work? Are they based on GPA/MCAT? Which schools give them? Do top schools give them (UPenn, Columbia, Yale, JHU, Harvard)? </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I believe the some State schools give merit scholarships based on both GPA and MCATs, however they are only given to state residents.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about HYP scholarships.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about Princeton medical school scholarships either. They are a very secretive school ;).</p>
<p>A few top schools definitely give them. Columbia does, but only a few and I’m not totally sure what the criteria is for them. U of Mich gives a butt load of scholarships. Vandy and Pitt are also well known for them. I think WashU has some merit scholarships too, but they might only be for the ladies. There are also private merit scholarships that are available for you to apply to. The financial aid office will send you the info if you qualify.</p>
<p>They are definitely heavily weighted to GPA and MCAT (a 4.0 39 is much more likely to get big merit scholarships from top 20 schools than a 4.0 36). However, it is better to consider them to be linked directly to how much the school wants you. So while scores and grades are a very big part, there is also a lot of room for ECs, interviews, and LORs to move you closer to a scholarship (or a higher amount).</p>
<p>Merit scholarship awards can be very much related to how they work in undergrad. If you can get into, say, Harvard Uni for undergrad, at least one lower ranked or in state school is likely to offer you a merit scholarship. In the same sense, if you are competitive for admissions at top med schools you are likely to be competitive for merit scholarships at lower ranked and in state medical schools. Maybe not necessarily a top 20 school, though those exist for the very top applicants as well. This is another benefit of applying broadly.</p>
<p>Thanks mcdowe. God a scholarship would be nice.</p>
<p>UChicago is one that hasn’t been mentioned that gives out scholarships.</p>
<p>Here’s some info on merit scholarships given by Mayo. </p>
<p>Most State medical schools also offer 100% scholarships but they are generally very very few and not highly advertised. </p>
<p>[College</a> and University Scholarships for Medical Students](<a href=“http://www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/medical-students.htm]College”>College and University Scholarships for Medical Students)</p>