<p>Averagewoman- scholarship weekend is usually are for small group choosen from accepted students to "compete" for higher merit awards. It is usually involves some type of academic activity like essays, discussion group, personal interview, some type of project workshop, etc. The way I undestand all those students usually get something even if there only few full tuition or full ride awards.
From our experience my D participated in 2 scholarship weekends and one school had dates set in stone but known for long time and another informed her short time prior but had some alternative dates if she could not make it. Ironicaly first visit helped her to drop off the list that school. Second school offered her signficant merit aid prior to scholarship weekend so all she could do is to upgrade.
With second school my D had prior commitments and was reluctant to go . All I did was to ask her question- if you not going- school would understand that you are giving up on them. Are you ready to say NO to this particular school?
She was not ready, so priorities had to be shifted, schedules changed and last minute tickets bought.
Curmudgeon, I am a fretter too. Things have a way of working themselves out.
Your D same as mine will end up in college she suppose to end up anyway.
Enjoy the process/ that what my hubby tells me ;)</p>
<p>Averagewoman, My son did an engineering weekend a couple of years ago. I'm fuzzy on the numbers but 12-15 students who applied to the engineering program were invited, free of charge, to visit for 2 1/2 days. They went through interviews and had to work together on some kind of project in small groups. They were watched while they did this project, I assume to see how well they worked as part of a team, what kind of leadership skills they had, etc. There was also some social stuff, dinners, and fun activities. They stayed in dorm rooms. Everyone who went got 1/2 tuition, 3 or 4 got full tuition.</p>