very messed up

Paying for College
1

<p>I'm very upset because of this scholarship issue. Can someone please help me? </p>

<p>I'll explain the situation:</p>

<p>So I'm planning on attending this private instate LAC that is pretty beneath me if you look at the numbers (SAT scores, GPA, etc.), but I don't have the money to go to a really good school since they don't give out merit aid as willingly. So I only applied to one really good one and some others that had SAT averages at least 300 points below my score, thinking that I would be a shoo-in for a good amount of merit money. I've been offered a really good scholarship by this LAC, almost $30K a year, leaving me with about $5K per year to pay out of my pocket. Sounds good, doesn't it?</p>

<p>However, I was told my an admissions rep that I would almost definitely get one of the full rides that they give out. She looked over my application, scores, class rank, etc. and told me that there was pretty much no way that I wouldn't get it. She told me that letters inviting about 15 students to participate in the scholarship competition interview would come out in January, even if other scholarships were awarded beforehand.</p>

<p>I called the school today though, and found out that the letters were ALREADY sent out. IN DECEMBER! And I hadn't gotten one. How could that happen? I'm supposed to get a call from the dean tomorrow about it because I don't understand why the committee wouldn't at least give me a chance. My SAT score is 200 points over the top number of their median, I'm ranked either 1st or 2nd in my class, I've been very deeply involved in a bunch of EC's, my essay was awesome, and I meet all of their qualifications by a ton. I just don't see 15 people applying to this school with better stats than me, as they only get about 1100 applications a year at this school.</p>

<p>I hope they didn't turn me down because they thought I wouldn't go there or something. This is my 1st CHOICE SCHOOL! And I need this scholarship. Sure, I know I can get grants and loans and whatnot. And I'll do that if I can't get this scholarship. I'm not looking for solutions to my money issues, so please don't offer any. I just think tha it would just be nice to have the extra help, and I don't understand why I'm not getting this opportunity when I've busted my butt for it.</p>

<p>What do I say to the dean when she calls tomorrow? I don't want to sound like some whiney kid who doesn't have what it takes, because I really do have what it takes and more. I don't want to sound conceited though either, but I do deserve this. I hope she doesn't brush me off without even giving me a chance. What can I say to make her listen to me and understand my situation?</p>

2

<p>I understand where you're coming from, but the truth is most likely a lot of students who applied to that school are in the same position as you. You got a $30k scholarship and that's awesome so the school obviously does see that you're outstanding. It's very arrogant of you to assume that there aren't more qualified applicants applying to the same school as you though. Yes you're above their average scores, but I'm sure others are as well. Calling the dean is going to do nothing for you.</p>

3

<ol>
<li><p>I'm not trying to be arrogant. I was told that I have higher SAT scores, etc. than almost all the students they've ever admitted. Told by the officials there.</p></li>
<li><p>I didn't call and ask to speak to the dean. I called financial aid, and they said the dean would call me. I never asked for the dean. I just asked when letters would come out, because I was assured that I would get one. And the lady's response was, "The dean can call you back tomorrow." And I was like, "Uh, ok. If you think that's who I should talk to."</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Please don't call me arrogant when you know nothing about my life. I was only asking for advise in how to talk to whom I was referred. I'm really trying not to be rude, but if you don't want to answer my question, then don't bother posting.</p>

4

<p>Clearly they want you - so that's good! Be patient, talk to the dean politely, be sure to start out by thanking him/her for the generous scholarship, and then just explain why you're confused. Good luck!</p>

5

<p>Fireflyburning, please considering drafting for yourself a brief "script" or at least talking points so that when the call comes, you don't lose control of your points or range of emotion, or hang up thinking "I wish I would have said THIS instead of THAT" etc.</p>

<p>When s/he calls, as Weenie said, start off by thanking them for calling and especially for the $30K scholarship, and that you're excited, and look forward to arriving in the fall. Then, address the other scholarship in that you understand letters were already mailed, and ask if there is still time for you to be considered, and if you can send an update of your qualifying stats for review and consideration. I would recommend leaving out what the admissions said, etc., as this really won't help much and might even be "heard" as whiny. </p>

<p>No matter how the calls turns out, be sure to thank him/her at the end of the call.</p>

6

<p>Hey - calm down. I told you upfront that I understand where you're coming from, ie I see the logic in your point of view. I didn't mean to say that you were arrogant, but the assumption that a mistake was made and you deserve a full-ride scholarship is a bit (not a lot) arrogant to me at least. I really don't see how you can argue around that one. That doesn't mean you're an arrogant person though. </p>

<p>And my advice was kind of... to drop it. But now that I look at it, there's really no harm in trying I guess. It depends how much the school wants you, which must be a lot for them to give you 30k. If you've done anything spectacular since you've applied, you might have a chance. If not, I would just be prepared for the dean to be like, um sorry... unless a mistake really was made or something. </p>

<p>I totally agree with latetoschool's approach. Def. leave out what the admissions people said as there's a great chance that it would be heard as whiny. </p>

<p>Also (especially after reading your response to me), draft up what you want to say so you don't come off as angry and flip out or anything. That won't get you anywhere.</p>

<p>From my experience, these college people tend to be pretty nice, so I'm sure she'll listen to you and won't brush you off, but as far as understanding your situation... you're in an AWESOME situation. It would be a dream come true for many kids to get a 30k merit scholarship. If you couldn't get ahold of the rest of the money and would not be able to attend this LAC, that would be more of a "situation".</p>

<p>Anyways, didn't mean to offend you. I hope you didn't mean to offend me. I was just giving my honest opinion which is something that I always want from others.</p>

7

<p>$30,000 is a lot of money....</p>

8

<p>You only need to pay $5,000/yr to go to your #1 school and you're upset you didn't get a free ride?</p>

<p>What is this world coming to?</p>

9

<p>Yeah-- I had to go back and reread the original post to make sure I understood the issue.</p>

<p>OP-- you've been offered a SCHOLARSHIP (grant money, NO LOANS or work study) for $30 to your first choice school, where the total cost of college is $35K. That's HUGE. Remember that the total cost of college includes room/board, books, usually transportation and miscellaneous expenses. Heck-- in our experience, there's usually about 2 - 3K of wiggle room in the estimated cost of attendance; a frugal student can shave that down and save a few K.</p>

<p>And you can easily work part time and make a few K during the school year, or work full time over the summer. Work is character building. </p>

<p>Worst case scenario, you or your parents take out a loan for a few K to cover the difference.</p>

<p>Bottom line, you're in a great position; you're being offered NEARLY a free ride college education. That you see this as "very messed up" is unfortunate.</p>

10

<p>Pointing out also-- how much do you (or your parents) spend currently per year on your room/board, transportation and miscellaneous expenses? I'd guess it's more than the few K you'll have to spend to make up the difference between your scholarship and the actual (not estimated) cost of college.</p>

11

<p>sounds like you are already getting a free ride
"free rides" dont' often include room and board, because those are costs that you would incur anyway.
Additionally money received to pay room and board, needs to be claimed on taxes- better to get your tuition paid for.</p>

<p>So sounds like you have $5,000 left to come up with
$3,000)can be earned with a summer job- which you will need anyway- to build experience and references so you can hit the ground running after graduation.</p>

<p>$2,000 is a very small amount to earn during the school year- a job on campus will help you budget your time, help you meet people you wouldn't ordinarily and can be fun!</p>

<p>I would check to see if this scholarship is renewable- some schools give amazing deals for students to come, but aren't renewed the next year.
It also sounds like they really want you to come, but it also doesn't sound like it is one of your top choices o I'm planning on attending this private instate LAC that is pretty beneath me if you look at the numbers (SAT scores, GPA, etc.), but I don't have the money to go to a really good school since they don't give out merit aid as willingly.
However, I am betting that it is comparable to other schools you have looked at, but doesn't have as prestigous of a name perhaps.
To really benefit from teh school, you need to want to be there and be ready to learn- not feel like you are there for money issues only- Im not sure that, that is clear.</p>

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<p>Firefly, you did the right thing in calling about the scholarship. Hopefully you get in contact with the person who can give you definitive answers. We can speculate all day what happened. It could just be a simple mistake, or there could be any number of reasons. So, just ask when the administrator calls.</p>

<p>You are very touchy when one of the posters used the word "arrogant", but your original post sounded that way to me too. There are many top flight candidates applying to schools where the stats are much lower than their academic profiles sport. You would be surprised. I've known kids who were accepted to HPY with phenomonal stats, who did not get big money from local schools or places where you would think would roll out that red carpet and have the check standing right there. It is not easy to get the big money. Also the adcom did not have all the apps at the time she spoke with you and they could have had a banner year in admissions. I know they went up 70 candidates this year from my sons' school for admissions, and this is a highschool. Not that all of those kids are going to matriculate there, but it does put a wrinkle on acceptance and scholarship chances when that happens. Also, many of these awards look for things other than just stats. Things like geographics. I know that in Maryland, for instance, there are a number of programs and schools that leave space for kids from the Eastern Shore, and a high performing kid from there would beat out a kid from the regular schools that fill up the admission rolls regarding money and attention. I know that though Case Western gives out a large number of local Cleveland scholarships, there are kids from Cleveland and other parts of Ohio that have outstanding stats, better than some kids who get some sweetners, that come from elsewhere. NYU has that reputation here, as does Fordham. So it's not just the state schools that look for geographic diversity. If you are in a group where there are some kids that are in a category that the college wants to expand, they are going to be first in line for any money and goodies.. It's just the way it works.
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But do ask, as there could be any number of possibilities. I am sorry that you are so troubled about this, and I hope that your conversation with the school goes well. Let us know what happens.</p>

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<p>Also keep in mind that though your stats are waaay above those who went to the school, there may be a whole different set of stats of kids who APPLIED to the school and did not take up the offer. Whole different story, cuz you'll get kids who used this as their safety schools, or who just went to other schools. They may have won the lottery ticket to the ivies and ended their interest in this school. The way it works many times is that so many scholarship invites are given out, and even if NO ONE accepts the scholarship, they won't recycle it, using the money in other places such as bolstering some other packages. My kids applied to a highschool that does that. It's not like there are runner ups or understudies for the scholarships. Sometimes no one gets the money. And they have a fixed number of kids they invite to go for it. Exceptions are made, however, so it does behoove you to examine and question the situation.<br>
Heck, Firefly, I can come up with a dozen scenarios explaining this.</p>