<p>We just visited UGA last week and my son loved it. The OOS tuition would be a stretch for us, though, and in light of that and his extreme interest in the numerous foreign study opportunities the FF students get, receiving a FF would be a dream come true. Just how hard is it? He's got a weighted GPA between 4.1 and 4.2 (can't remember specifically); 27th of class of 340 at strongest public high school in our state; 1490/2200 on first SAT try (will take again and hasn't yet taken ACT); deep involvement in several ECs; leadership in several school organizations (won't know about presidencies until next year); production manager of regional theatre's youth programs; public radio internship; chosen last year for Rotary International youth exchange to France; not much in the way of pure "helping others" community service; 10-20 hours per week employment at a grocery store; and will have glowing recommendations (just like all the other FF applicants!) Would he be competitive, or does the FF only go to the kids who would have been shoo-ins at HYPS?</p>
<p>Well, in response to the how hard is it to be a Foundation Fellow question, very. This past year over 1000 students applied for the Fellowship (all with 4.0+ GPAs and 1400+ SATs) and there are only 27 fellows. However, your son fits the bill and should apply. Try to stand out with your application essays, since the biggest cut is made by stats and the application alone. I was recently offered the Foundation Fellowship, so if you have any questions about the process feel free to ask.</p>
<p>The SATs need to be 1400+/1600 not 2400. Your GPA needs to be higher. I didn't make FF finalist and I had 2180/2400 and a 4.4 GPA 3rd in class of 700, with lots of ECs, awards, service, etc.</p>
<p>I misspoke, KnowledgeisPower. His SAT is 1490/1600 or 2200/2400. And weighted GPA is 4.22.</p>
<p>Your son is certainly in the running, but there are many opportunities besides the Fellowship through the Honors Program for him to study abroad and explore other unique opportunities. The Fellowship is a high honor and unparalleled experience, no doubt, but the Honors Program does a great job to reach out to all of its students. </p>
<p>In general, however, FF's have been accepted to the top universities in the nation and turned them down to attend UGA as an FF. Good luck to your son. He should certainly continue to do what he's doing and apply.</p>
<p>To invited to the FF weekend, IMO, doesn't seem to be based in test scores at all. As long as you meet the cut off, I'm pretty sure they don't matter. I scored a 32 on my act and was invited. From everyone else I met at the weekend, it's not SAT/ACT scores that make or break you; it's more likely AP exam scores, extracurrics and essays. I got invited as opposed to some applicants at my school probably because straight 5 AP exam scores; everyone else had higher test scores. The essays count a great deal too. I wouldn't discount anyone's chances of being a FF based on sat/act. You never know exactly what they're looking for, but I pretty strongly feel that it's not perfect test scores. </p>
<p>If anything, it's how you feel about your extracurrics. All their interviews were fairly thought out and the questions they ask FF potentials deal heavily in their extracurrics. For instance, on kid this year got drilled on the Boy Scout's policy on gay members b/c it was one of his major activities. I got asked 70 million things about the future of Amnesty International (my main extracurric). Point is, they look for passion for whatever you do--doing things not just for the resume.</p>
<p>good luck with the fellowship app process.</p>