<p>After a visit there last spring and a CS Camp this summer my son is convinced that NC State is the only college for him. As his parents we love it too, but would like him to keep his mind open to other schools that might offer him better merit scholarships. My research so far has only revealed the Parks Scholarship to OOS students and possibly smaller scholarships offered during the summer before enrolling (therefore being too late to help with the May 1st decision). I would think the Parks Scholarship is usually reserved for the very top students. He is a great kid with varied interests and a nice resume with leadership positions, but Im not sure if that will be enough to qualify for such a competitive scholarship.
That being said he is going to apply for the Parks and has already spoken with his HS principle and guidance counselor about it. He will take the ACTs one last time in September to try to raise his score above a 32.
I am wondering if anyone has received smaller scholarships as an OOS student that I might have been unable to find?</p>
<p>Congratulations on your Son’s success! Your assessment of merit-only scholarships at NCSU is correct…they are VERY rare, thus very competitive. Be sure to check out the scholarship page on ncsu.edu. The Hugh Shelton scholarship is another one that comes to mind.<br>
[North</a> Carolina State University :: Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www7.acs.ncsu.edu/financial_aid/schphs.html]North”>http://www7.acs.ncsu.edu/financial_aid/schphs.html)</p>
<p>I will say from recent experience getting my daughter into NCSU and watching her peers compete as well, the high academics MUST be accompanied by strong, demonstrated leadership. Too many kids spread themselves thin getting lots of extra-curriculars to pad their resume, but lack depth. What they really want to see is deep engagement and passion in a shorter list of extras, where the student’s work made a difference in their community…and the more adversity they overcame the better. It is a tough task. </p>
<p>I have 1 sophomore at NCSU who was a very good high school student. Good enough to make it into the highly selective College of Design. But she fell short of securing a merit-only scholarship. Fortunately for her, ours is a 5 person home with just one average wage earner. Our relatively low FAFSA EFC (not zero, but lower than most 2 earner homes), garnered her some need-based financial aid. We are In-State. </p>
<p>I wish your son the best working hard at his NCSU dream. Many OOS’s win Park Scholarships. In fact, one of my D’s best friends is an “out of country” Park Scholar (US citizen living overseas).</p>
<p>I believe a certain portion of the Park Scholarships are specifically for oos students. </p>
<p>My S and his roommate (both instate) received merit scholarships from the dept. of their major but as the op said, S didn’t get the scholarship until after the May deadline. </p>
<p>Good luck to your S vryproudmom. Hope it works out. My S loved his four years at NCSU and goes back to visit friends in Raleigh whenever possible.</p>