About the Belk at Davidson…it’s only a total of 8 scholarships and this year there were around 1000 students nominated by their school for these few spots.
@txstella Thank you for the insiders info about Rice.
I’ve been looking at the Common Data Set, in particular page 15 of section H. Indeed, Rice appears to have limited merit aid. Looking at the merit scholarship page of the Rice web site backs that up.
If I am understanding things correctly, they require SAT and ACT (each with writing) along with 2 SAT subject tests. D will have all of those requirements. Their student body has some high stats, but D does fall into the mix. She can pursue Rice as a reach and apply for scholarships.
Thank you @NCMOM24 I spent some time reading the little biographies of the Belk Scholars at Davidson. This is actually something I have been doing for any of the schools D is researching that offer large merit aid. It gives me a feel for the credentials and backgrounds of the students who earm these merit awards. I realize that there are many many students with interesting credentials and compelling backgrounds who are competing, but it does provide a glimpse of whether D is in the ballpark. Have you visited Davidson or do you know anyone who attends?
@mom2collegekids Thank you for your suggestions. You are the only one who mentioned the clinical patient hours that a physician assistant needs to accumulate. Here in Texas, some of the schools have specific “pre-PA” programs (SMU, TCU, Baylor, UT Austin), but even those do not appear to have the necessary hours built in. You make a good point that we should consider undergrad location as it relates to earning those hours. I have a familiarity with Texas in this regard, but not with Alabama. Do you have any knowledge on this? I like that Alabama has guaranteed merit aid.
Agree about Rice. Its fabulous. Good luck! But like Duke, its a reach for almost any student, with last year’s admission rate at 16%.
Rice does not require both SAT and ACT.
Note the word Or. Taking ACT + W means you don’t need to send subject tests
Thank you @“Erin’s Dad” for clarifying that. She already has ACT + W with a 35 composite along with SAT + W scheduled for March. She is scheduled for 3 subject tests right after AP tests.
With your clarification about Rice and after looking up Duke’s requirements, I don’t think any of the schools she is interested in even require subject tests. Is it overkill considering all her 15 AP’s? Or does it make sense to take a few just in case?
I sure wouldn’t worry about it (or pay for them). Get the AP credit if possible and forget about more testing.