Question About Academic Scholarships

Paying for College
1

<p>While looking into University of Miami, I came across their academic scholarship criteria. I know that the criteria will be similar for most schools, so I’m hoping that some of you can help me to clarify some things. For one scholarship, which is for 3/4 tuition, the requirements are: An A average, 1400 on the SATs, and being in the top 5% of your high school class. For the next one down, which is for 1/2 tuition, the requirements are an A average, 1350 on the SATs, and being in the top 7% of your high school class.</p>

<p>Here are my questions:</p>

<li><p>I have a 3.8-3.9 average unweighted. My school does not officially report weighted GPA to colleges, but guidance counselors may allude to it in their recommendation. Will schools take into account that my GPA is unweighted compared to someone, for example, with a weighted GPA of 4.0?</p></li>
<li><p>My school also does not officially report class rank, although they do calculate it. I know, it’s stupid. For academic scholarships, will schools simply disregard this requirement? Will they request class rank from my school?</p></li>
<li><p>My SAT score is 2130 (a traditional 1410) and, like I said, my GPA is around 3.8-3.9. If I don’t meet the exact requirement (like having exactly a 4.0 or over) but I do have the SAT score, is it likely that a school would give me the higher scholarship because I almost meet the criteria or will they give me an academic scholarship that exactly fits?</p></li>
</ol>

2

<p>It's always up to the college. If a college really wants a student because the student has skills or other attributes that the college wants, it will be flexible about scholarship requirements.</p>

<p>Typically, colleges also recalculate gpas using their own standards (such as eliminating courses like health and gym and adding extra weight to AP and IB courses) when considering students for scholarships and admission.</p>

3

<p>I just got back from a visit with D to UMiami. I got a lot of inside info on those merit scholarships, plus had some great key lime pie.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>There is an asterisk on that page I had overlooked that says just because you have those stats does not mean you automatically get that award. You still have to pass their screen that looks at other stuff. </p></li>
<li><p>Plus, the funds for each of those levels is limited, and it is first come first served. So apply early. Preferably EA with a Nov. 1 deadline. They give those funds out fast, was my impression. </p></li>
<li><p>Also, they are going to completely redo the merit awards for next year, i.e. this year's juniors. Make it more of sliding scale but still make awards at the same approximate levels.</p></li>
</ol>