<p>Hey guys.</p>
<p>I'll give you the facts, and what I'm dealing with in my decision right now. </p>
<p>I received a $6000 merit aid offer. Now, in light of the fact that some of you have received huge offers, I must draw the obvious conclusion that I will probably be at the bottom academically of those admitted.</p>
<p>Let's say money is no object (it ALWAYS is no matter what, but anyway..) do I still want to attend a school where right off the bat I'm considered (and not for unfair reasons) less of an "asset" to the school?</p>
<p>I want to make it clear that I am honored with both admittance and my scholarship. Now I have to decide if I want to be in the bottom 10% of the RHIT entering class (I'm estimating) or take a full scholarship with partial paid R+B at a state school.</p>
<p>DD (also a physics major) received exactly the same offer. I was a bit surprised since they made a big deal when we visited RHIT about how girls get great $$$$. BUT - this was also a reach school for her, and we were somewhat surprised that she was accepted. So I guess we feel the same - maybe this was just not the right school for her. BTW, she got a great deal from Clarkson which she likes better anyway.</p>
<p>I’ll weigh in on this one. We have a different mind-set in our home. Go to the hardest school you get into and start at the bottom of your class, you will ultimately push yourself to be at the top. That is how you achieve greatness.</p>
<p>Please remember that the scholarship offer is based on a pure mathematical formula. 95% academics and 5% activities/leadership/community service. Scholarships are awarded to nameless/faceless students because they are merit-based: plug the numbers and the scholarship tier is determined. You worth as an “asset” is not determined by the scholarship. You aren’t an “asset” at all. You aren’t some good to be bought. You’re a person with real hopes and aspirations.</p>
<p>I can understand the disappointment of a lower scholarship offer. After working at other colleges where scholarship offers seemed to be based on need, family connections, and/or wheeling and dealing more so than academic merit, I am grateful for a consistent, fair approach. It doesn’t take the sting of a lower scholarship away. But at least you know a larger scholarship wasn’t offered because the student’s daddy plays golf with the college president.</p>
<p>An alumnus who came to RHIT with a lower academic profile now helps me with admissions events in a large metro area. He was in the same boat coming out of high school. He ended up being the youngest alumnus ever to join the Chauncey Rose Society which requires at least a $50,000 gift to the school. Graduated near the top of his class at RHIT as well as at Stanford’s MBA program. We don’t think less of anyone and make it our business to provide whatever opportunity necessary to reach those dreams and aspirations.</p>
<p>Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.</p>
<p>Jared Goulding
Assistant Director of Admissions
Rose-Hulman Insitute of Technology</p>