Should i bother applying for merit aid?

<p>I'm applying to Vandy and was looking at the super competitive full ride scholarships (the other ones don't match my interests so I can't apply to "easier" ones). This includes Ingram and Cornelius (chancellors I don't fit in again). But with any school as selective as Vandy, I wonder if it is even worth my time to apply or if I stand no chance and it is for people who are amazing "clear admits" with crazy accomplishments like starting a company or designing an app or volunteering in Uganda. I'm your basic applicant: white girl, 34 ACT, 5.3/5.0 GPA, 5s on 3 AP tests last year and taking 4 more this year, many extracurriculars and service clubs/volunteering with 2 leadership positions</p>

<p>Advice, opinions welcome! But also any experience personally or from someone you know, or just in general.
Thank you! </p>

<p>I say it can’t hurt. There’s certainly no guarantee that you would get one, but you have good scores. Just make sure you communicate well in your essays, particularly for the Ingram.</p>

<p>But just so you know, those scholarships aren’t true full rides, they are tuition.</p>

<p>I think $160,000+ is worth a few hours of your time on an essay!</p>

<p>Yes! What’s the harm? Believe in yourself and give it a shot! @Pancaked is right…it’s just an extra essay you have time to work on. </p>

<p>Our son won a Chancellor’s without any spectacular accomplishments. He was also a wasp with your ACT, altho that was five years ago, and in Vandy time, things have only gotten much more difficult for applicants in general. I would imagine he won based on his essays which displayed interest in the arts and in social justice…in other words, diversity of thought and outlook was evident in his writing. He was articulate.
My feeling is that if you have something to say in a merit essay, take off an afternoon and just do it. </p>

<p>Do not neglect the same opportunities at less selective colleges. The words “highly selective” and “match” colleges have blurred lines and parameters when you are a very able student. You can get a superb boost in life at a match college is my point. Our son loved going to Vanderbilt but those Thomas Jefferson Gov School students who went to UVA are doing just as well. Write you state flagship essays with great respect, too.</p>

<p>Vanderbilt is flooded with a pool of equals in stats. Getting in is a challenge, despite your good test score. An opportunity to further acquaint yourself with your adcom readers should not be skipped over.<br>
Back to my real point. Merit is more like being struck by lightening --but it is obvious that only the articulate applicant will be considered. Not all brilliant 17 and 18 year olds are articulate yet.</p>

<p>There are secondary benefits for all merit winners re 4 yrs of communities with other Ingram, Chancellors and CV scholars. But at some level, you need to demonstrate that you get that the entire freshman class is a community of gifted scholars who will follow unique trajectories.</p>

<p>The real problem is getting in in the first place. If you can write essays that further enhance what you bring to campus as a person, scholar and future member of a community of scholars, write the essays.</p>