<p>Hi I'm new to this site and feel like I could use some wise words from the people.
I'm a senior in southern MA, and my top schools right now are UMass Amherst, UVM, and McGill. I intend to major in biology and am really impressed with the program at UVM. However, out of those three I really can only afford UMass because it's a state school. I'm just wondering what anyone thinks about the merit scholarships like the presidential one at UVM for me. Reading the description, I fit the criteria, but I feel like they don't just hand out $15,000 a year to all students with those numbers. I'm also wondering what my chances might be of getting into the honors college there because that would really secure UVM as my number one, I think.
Here are some of my things:
1940 on SATs, taking ACTs soon and I am sure I'll do better than my SAT scores (maybe 30 or so?), GPA is 3.78 out of 5, will have taken 4 AP courses by the end of HS, all others are honors, lots and lots of extracurriculars (mostly singing and irish dancing though) but not a lot of community service...
Any input is appreciated!!! Thank you</p>
<p>Apply Early Action and talk to the folks in admissions. It doesn’t sound like it’s a big stretch for you, IMHO</p>