Will I get the Presidential Scholarship at Rutgers New Brunswick?

I am an Indian with middle class income level. I am ranked number 4 at an average high school. I scored a 1530 on my SAT (740 Reading/790 Math) and plan to take again. I have also taken subject tests in Bio (770), Math II (760) and plan to take one in chemistry. I have/am taking a total of 9 AP’s. So far I have scored one 5 and five 4s. I also have good EC’s but I’m pretty sure they don’t look at them for the scholarship. Also, like 3 or 4 other kids at my school have higher stats in terms of SAT/AP scores/rank and whatnot but idk if that matters much or not. Does anyone think that I can get the full ride and if not, at least get into the honors college?

Also does legacy help? My brother got the presidential 5 years ago

Honors College, I think it will depend on which school you want to apply to (SAS possibly, SOE unlikely). Presidential Scholarship with a 1530 SAT, unlikely. Would not expect more than 3.5K/year scholarship if not admitted to the Honors College (and no more than 10K/year if admitted to the Honors College). What do you want to study? I suppose your brother had better stats, isn’t it? In any event what your brother got is irrelevant. If you retake SAT aim at 1570.

I want to do premed and study bio. I’ll probably have SAS as my top choice. My brother got the presidential with a 2270 on the old scale but I suppose the standards are different and probably much higher now.

I think the standards are indeed higher now due to the buzz generated by the new Honors dorm. The median SAT score for the Honors College class of 2022 is 1530. The median SAT score for the Honors College class of 2023 is probably even higher since the average SAT score for all admitted students is the highest that it has ever been at 1318.

That said, based on what I saw last year, SAS seems to have lower standards than SOE. You might make it to the Honors College via SAS with your 1530, in which case it is likely you would get 10K/year. I would not expect more with less than 1570. Good luck.

@NJEngineerDad Do you think the Honors College also takes into account factors like the essay and extracurriculars ?

Also, do you know if Rutgers looks at subject test scores ? It is not mentioned anywhere on their website.

It’s looking like the Class of 2024 will be even more competitive just judging by my peers. I feel like I have no chance of HC compared to them, especially because my school sends nearly half its class to RU every year.

@krosp123 I assume that the Honors College takes the essay into account since it is required to be considered for Honors. I don’t know about the extracurriculars, although extracurriculars can serve as basis for the essay.

I don’t think Rutgers looks at the subject test scores since they are not required but maybe it is helpful to submit them if the scores are very good.

A lot of NJ schools seem to send half their class to Rutgers. It makes sense considering it is a very good school and that the price is reasonable compared to private schools.

Are you expecting to become a national merit finalist? Why don’t you apply at Arizona State University and University of Florida?

I would say it is possible since you are in the top 10% of your class. I had the same SAT score as you superscored and got $28000 from SOE last year (presidential scholarship) and I am also Indian, they do very much look at extracurriculars. Beyond a 1530, they look at more than your scores. They look at your essays and extracurriculars, which is why I got the presidential. There are many people who got 36 ACT and 1600 sat that didn’t get it, it’s a rather random decision.

My DD got in Honors college in last year with 34ACT, quite a few leadership roles and great extracurriculars. HC definitely looks at essays and extracurriculars. She got a scholarship of $20K / year. Her friend who has a 1540 SAT got a presidential scholarship. HC looks holistically at applications and scholarships range from 10K to 25k.