<p>I just got a letter inviting me to join the CAS Presidential Honors Scholars Program at NYU. The letter says this is extended to only the top 8% or so of incoming freshmen. Is this scholarship really impressive? Or do tons of people receive it? I was sort of wondering because i haven't heard from any other schools yet. Is this award a sign that I might fare pretty well with my reach/high match colleges (which include a few ivies and top LACs)? Any input from NYU students/alumni who received this award is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Well, being that the Presdential Honors Scholars Program comes with a decent sized merit award, it certainly isn't a distinction to sneeze at. Can I ask you what state you live in? Just wondering when I should start to despair if I don't get one.</p>
<p>thanks for the reply. and don't give up hope too soon...i live in NJ, so the letter may take a few more days to get to you.</p>
<p>Yeah I got it too. From NJ as well...seems pretty cool although idk how much money theyre actually going to give us.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks. Definitely not time to get worried yet--for whatever reason, NYU's stuff comes to me so slowly. My Sunday at the Square invitation arrived a week after being postmarked, so I guess I shouldn't bank on getting anything from them very quickly.</p>
<p>Edit: In that weird letter that they sent out to some of us last week, they said that the minimum Presidential Scholars award was $10,000/yr.</p>
<p>Yeah, I remember reading something about that...although I thought it was for only national merit finalists. On their website it says they can give up to 25k for merit scholarships though. Honestly, I don't think any of that info is really correct...we're just going to have to wait most likely.</p>
<p>$10000 would make my life so amazing.</p>
<p>Now what's the max I'll be able to get if I have no fin. aid whatsoever?!</p>
<p>I think the largest scholarship they give amounts to $25000, which my parents compare to the school paying for the education and the family paying for room and board, travel and food.</p>
<p>i know this has probably been answered, but i got the letter but def was not a national merit scholar anything...do i still have a chance at getting the scholarship?</p>
<p>i got a 10,000 CAS scholarship...is that the presidential scholars scholarship they were talking about in the letter or is there additional money. cuz that would make my life AMAZING.</p>
<p>Fourth year Scholar here. The rules might've changed since I got in, but here they are, as I understand them.</p>
<p>1) If you got a merit scholarship, congrats. However, that money may or may not come with membership in the Scholars program.</p>
<p>2)If you were awarded Scholars, then you got money. Should you not wish to participate in Scholars (attend meetings, keep your GPA up, perform the perfunctory community service) then you can withdraw AND keep your scholarship.</p>
<p>3) If you didn't get a Scholars letter with your admissions package, then you were not selected. However, you may apply for the program some time during your freshman year.</p>
<p>As for whether or not Scholars is a big deal, I'd certainly say so. Almost free travel is certainly a big deal. Whether or not you get anything else out of the program is entirely up to you.</p>
<p>Understanding that one must put in some hard work, is the 3.65 GPA minimum reasonably attainable? And (approximately) how much is the almost free travel?</p>
<p>3.65 will require some work. At one point during my sophomore year, which was my worst, I dropped to 3.643, but no one said anything about it. When I asked, I was told that tiny slips will be overlooked, but serious ones will be noticed. That being said, 3.65 is certainly reasonably attainable - otherwise, there wouldn't be anyone in Scholars. :) Some of us, me included, can be phenomenal slackers at times, so don't go in thinking you'll be surrounded by work-obsessed hyperactive people. There are all sorts of Scholars.</p>
<p>I believe there's a $300 fee for each trip - it's been a while, so I can't exactly remember how much. I'm not sure what exactly that covers, but I can tell you that round-trip airfare to Europe, stays in posh hotels that run 125 euros+ a night, free sightseeing trips on chartered buses, and some free meals at nice restaurants will set you back at least 10 times that amount. You will be responsible for some meals, but if you visit local grocery stores and eateries for those, you can expect to do it cheaply.</p>