<p>It seems as if UGA committee pays more attention at stats (SAT and GPA) for foundation scholarships and ramsey fellows than Ivy Leagues and other selective schools (top 20). I'm I right? I know that these spots are competitive, but it seems as if they put more emphasis on stats (its so high, and UGA seems to brag about it on the brochure, 1500+ 4.0+) lol. Granted, I know for certain that other factors are immensely vital (personality, ecs, accomplishments, passions... etc). ALso, how competitive are the top scholarships (mentioned above), can anyone here post some stats?</p>
<p>As far as I can tell, UGA uses test scores as a sort of first-round cutoff for Foundation Fellowship (FF) and Ramsey scholarships. Once your scores are past a certain point - around 1450 for Ramsey and FF - seems like the scores become irrelevant and then UGA takes into consideration other factors like achievements, extracurriculars, etc. In looking at FF brochures, I see that UGA often devotes the first page to test scores and GPA but it also covers the accomplishments of FF in depth. In a nutshell, stats are important, but I don’t think they are the driving factor behind who is awarded what.</p>
<p>[From</a> UGA honors website](<a href=“http://www.uga.edu/honors/c_s/scholarships/ramsey/ramsey_scholars.html]From”>http://www.uga.edu/honors/c_s/scholarships/ramsey/ramsey_scholars.html):
</p>
<p>Ramsey and FF are extremely competitive, with about 20 FF and 40 Ramsey scholars each year - out of approximately 1000 applicants. Other merit-based scholarships are much less competitive. [Charter</a> scholars](<a href=“http://www.admissions.uga.edu/article/scholarships_at_uga.html]Charter”>http://www.admissions.uga.edu/article/scholarships_at_uga.html), which UGA says it awards to the top 5% of each incoming class as measured by academic achievement, typically goes to about 250 people.</p>
<p>tutydau, I think you underestimate the quality of the applicant pool to the Foundation Fellowship. I know plenty of 1500+ SAT/4.0+ GPA people who applied and didn’t even get to the interview stage. When you have several hundred 1500+ SAT/4.0+ GPA applicants for 20 or so fellowships, you can certainly pick and choose among them for all those outstanding other attributes. And believe me, if you get to the interview weekend, you’ll see that they do a great job selecting outgoing, brilliant, impressive students as finalists. </p>
<p>The admissions process is a bit like the Rhodes/Marshall/Truman scholarship process- they’re looking for leaders, doers, innovators, etc. who will probably go on to bring glory to UGA (and, of course, compete for those big-name scholarships). At the interview stage, test scores really don’t matter as much- it’s how you think under pressure, interact with others, etc. that matters.</p>
<p>Also, since the social aspect is such a major part of the Fellowship, they’re also looking for a balanced class that can get along with each other and build on each others’ strengths. As corny as it sounds, it works. </p>
<p>By the way, one of the most successful fellows in recent years had a mere 1400 SAT score. If the rest of your application is stellar or you bring something truly unique, they may overlook a weak point or two.</p>
<p>Ye, thanx for the helpful response, so its quite like admissions at the top Ivy Leagues, perhaps even harder. Darn there were only like 15 spots last year for the fellows, way less than the previous years. Is that due to budget?? Or the quality of applicants</p>