<p>My nephew was selected as a Horatio Alger national scholar. We're excited! He applied via the Common App to his schools. He is awaiting admission decisions from Macalaster, St. Olaf, Franklin & Marshall and Wesleyan. I'm looking for thoughts on whether or not he should notify the admissions office of these schools of his scholarship selection. I'm just not sure whether this would help his application or not, and whether it is relevant to an admission decision. Is there a downside to notifying the admissions office? Obviously, he will notify the financial aid office once he decides which school he'll be attending.</p>
<p>If it is merit scholarship, you should report it to the Admission Office ASAP.</p>
<p>It’s both a merit and a need-based scholarship. Students must have overcome significant personal hardships (for my nephew, that would be death of his father, drug addiction of mother, a year in foster care and now legal guardianship with us), have high financial need, and have a strong academic profile. There are 106 national scholars selected from over 40,000 applicants. The scholarship also includes an all-expense paid trip to DC in April to accept the scholarship. I guess it’s the need-based component of the scholarship that’s giving me pause as to whether or not it’s really relevent to adcoms.</p>
<p>Yes, he should tell each admissions office about it. Many scholarships have both a need and a merit component.</p>
<p>Congratulations to your nephew. I hope the path ahead for him is easier than the one he sees in his rearview mirror.</p>
<p>Thanks very much for your kind words, arabrab. He’s done much to overcome the challenges that have been thrown his way, and we’re very proud of him.</p>