Robertson vs. Morehead

<p>Chapel Hill will no longer allow a student to be nominated/apply for both the Morehead and the Robertson. My child does not attend a school that can nominate someone for a Morehead. If he submits the preliminary app for the Robertson, he can't be picked up/nominated by the admissions committee for the Morehead. Does anyone have advice? Sit back and hope the ad comm sends your app out to one of the two scholarships or go ahead and punt the Morehead and submit the preliminary for the Robertson? My thought is that, if his app is good enough, the Admissions Committee will nominate him for the one they feel he's most qualified for. (If he is in fact qualified.)</p>

<p>Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated.</p>

<p>Webbie: While the admissions committee does look at applications and can nominate for the Morehead, they don't often nominate many in that way--maybe just a few. The bulk of the Morehead nominations do come from the NC schools and the approved out-of-state schools that are on the nominating list. To be nominated out of the admissions pile for the Morehead is just not all that common, and even if done every year, not many are pulled aside like that. With the Robertson, however, <em>all</em> those nominations do originate from the admissions committee, and can occur whether the applicant completes the supplementary for that or not. So, if he is going to do anything proactive w/regard to either of those scholarships, my suggestion would be to have him submit the supplementary for the Robertson. That's just my take.</p>

<p>Webbie,</p>

<p>My son is a Morehead Scholar, and my understanding of the selection process would echo what Jack has already posted. I would agree with his advice to be procative on the Robertson instead of "waiting around" for one of the rarer nominations for the Morehead by the Admissions Office. It sounds like your son would have a decent shot at several of the merit awards, including Carolina Scholars and the Robertson. Best of luck to you!</p>

<p>which ones more prestigious?</p>

<p>I guess if you're interested in Duke you could apply for the Robertson there and apply for the Morehead at UNC? I'd only recommend doing that if you want to go to Duke for undergrad, though (obviously).</p>

<p>Morehead much more prestigious in NC. I never heard of the Robertson until I frequented this board. I had heard of the Morehead soon after moving to NC 24 years ago. Well known in the medical community.</p>

<p>bdmrad: Well, the Morehead is obviously more well known, simply because it's 50+ years old. In contrast, the first class of Robertsons just graduated in 2005, I believe. Trust me, it's just as "prestigious" and an equally amazing scholarship program-- just not as old-- consequently, it hasn't reached generations yet. You really need to get out more. Also, the Robertson is not obligated to give scholarships to NC students; the Morehead is and always has been, so an equal number of Moreheads are from OOS and from in-state. All NC high schools can nominate for the Morehead. With the Robertson, students can complete a supplement (or not), but the initial nominations come from the admissions offices at both Duke and UNC. Those kids are competing with all the applicants to each school. These are some of the reasons you may not know as much about the Robertson. Again, though, you need to get out more. ;)</p>

<p>As others have stated, though, to be interested in something (whether it's a school, a car, a neighborhood, or a scholarship) simply because of possible "prestige" weight, is a questionable priority.</p>

<p>I agree. I'm sure both accomplish their respective purposes.</p>