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That is indeed quite a dubious distinction, and a surprising one too given WUSTL’s fairly recent rise to national prominence. One might have expected that an Ivy or a more storied university would break that barrier first.
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<p>It's actually not suprising. They offer merit-based scholarships to lure students who would otherwise pick Ivies or other more storied ones. In fact, as more schools become more aggressive in offering merit-based scholarships, some top schools are feeling the pressure to offer them just to stay competitive. That's why Northwestern started giving them last year, though nothing like 50K/year yet.</p>
<p>Sam, I think you may have misunderstood. I would concur that it is not surprising that WUSTL has to offer merit scholarships to lure students to attend. What IS surprising is that WUSTL was the FIRST to break the 50K barrier in tuition + expenses (according to ImperialZeppelin). It is quite shocking that given their only very recent rise in the rankings that they felt comfortable charging that much to attend BEFORE schools that are more established and prestigious (i.e. just about every other university in the U.S. News top 15) crossed that 50K threshold.</p>
<p>By this information for the '07-'08 academic year, it's stated that all "scholarships" are based on demonstrated financial need, clearly not academics.</p>
<p>From that same webpage however is this:</p>
<p><Northwestern participates in the National Merit and National Achievement scholarship programs. It currently ranks No. 6 among all colleges in the number of National Merit freshmen enrolling. </p>
<p>To qualify you must be a National Merit finalist and name Northwestern as your first-choice school (as to where you plan to attend if admitted). The amount of National Merit awards will range from a minimum of $500 up to $2,000. For students who have also applied for need-based assistance, and are deemed eligible, the National Merit award will be included as part of the applicant's financial assistance.></p>
<p>This is the only reference I saw even mentioning any type of academic merit scholarship (and the amounts are small against a $50k COA) beyond the music talent awards I cite in my post#3 on this thread.</p>
<p>It's important to note the differences between need based grants, academic merit awards, and performing arts talent awards as each is a very specific component in assessing a financial aid package in totality. The process is confusing at best to newbies, let alone to us who have already gone through it.</p>
<p>If I've missed something on the Northwestern page(s), or if you have personal experiences to share, it would be helpful for all to share the info.</p>
<p>That's outdated and that's why it's confusing. The policy changed just last year (this past application cycle). Apparently though, NU hasn't made a big deal about it yet. There's no separate application for it. The student who got them this year were pleasantly surprised. It's a small amount of money though--no more than 7.5k/yr. I think NU is still testing the water and they may increase the awards in the next few years. I think once the program is well-established and the awards are well-defined, they'll ask for a separate application.</p>
Incoming Class Is First To Earn Merit-based Aid
Emily Glazer
Issue date: 5/2/07 Section: Campus
PrintEmail DoubleClick Any Word Page 1 of 2 next > By Emily Glazer</p>
<p>The Daily Northwestern</p>
<p>This spring, incoming freshmen were eligible to receive Northwestern's first merit-based scholarships, allowing the school to further compete with other prestigious universities that already offer such awards.</p>
<p>The Founder's Scholarship was approved this winter, offering 85 prospective freshmen between $2,500 and $7,500 yearly based on academic success and their family's middle-class status, Associate Provost for University Enrollment Michael Mills said.
<p>Interesting! Thats good to know. Not much money but it's encouraging that they are increasing it. </p>
<p>violadad-
I'm a high school senior this year and have been looking at colleges for quite some time now. I'm a tenor and my ultimate goal is to go to school for performance while taking LA classes in order to take the MCAT and many years later (haha) become a laryngologist, who deals with vocal disorders and the science of the throat. However, if the opportunity presented itself, and I could live comfortably, I wouldn't mind performing as a career (dream...)
I hope that gives you a sudo-idea....this is some great dialogue here. It's very helpful!</p>
<p>kevin- My own son's experience lies in strings, so I have no background to offer suggestions for voice performance. There are many here who can.</p>
<p>My son is a Hartt grad in viola performance so I do know they have a strong program both in voice and in musical theater, both of those programs are very competitive. I have no knowledge of Ithaca's vocal program. Both Hartt and Ithaca have strong music ed programs as well, and Ithaca has a rep as a good cello school.</p>
<p>A lot of people have called the academics at U Hartford "light" or not the best program for those seeking a high academic experience, something you may want to keep in mind.</p>