What are my scholarship chances for the University of Miami?????

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Miami - Florida
1

Money will have a very big role in my college decision and I’m wondering if I’m a good candidate for larger scholarships at University of Miami.
UW GPA: 3.86
W GPA: 4.43 (but I know they don’t consider this)
SAT: 1450
ACT: 30
Mixed-Race/African-American (Euro-American mother, African father)
Service Hours: 260+ hours
Enrolled in the selective advanced magnet program at my school.

I’ll appreciate any form of estimate! I still have the opportunity to retake my SAT and ACT this August, so if you suggest doing so, please let me know!

2

Take the ACT again. Your close to being considered for some of Miami’s more prestigious scholarships worth up to full tuition. Right now, you might be looking at ~$10000 +/- $2000 from Miami, but that’s not much considering the price.

3

The Presidential Scholarships (with annual money up to $26k) are relatively easy for admitted students to get. I have read that up to 40% of admitted students receive merit money. They are awarded on a discretionary basis. My son got the top award and did not submit SAT scores when he applied.

4

Since when does UM not look at W GPA?

5

I believe their website states they do not use weighted GPA- however I don’t see how that can give an accurate picture of an applicant. One applicant could take all regular/no honors/ no AP/ no IB/ no dual enrollment classes and have a higher unweighted GPA than an applicant who did well in honors/ AP/ IB classes but did not have all As. To me not using weighted GPA does not do justice to those applicants who have taken harder classes.

6

@Mom2NND “To me not using weighted GPA does not do justice to those applicants who have taken harder classes.”

I agree with the above statement. However, given what I know about UM (as a parent of a sophomore) I can guess their reason. I really, really think the school wants to be able to give out more need-based financial aid (as well as merit-based) to people from underprivileged backgrounds (particularly those from South Florida). They currently have plenty of smart middle-class urban and suburban kids with strong AP and IB credentials. Maybe they are looking to identify top students at schools who don’t have access to advanced courses?

7

Colleges don’t want to see a weighted GPA They want to see your unweighted GPA and look at the courses you took
They assign their own weight HS all weight differently