<p>After I send my completed application with its college essay, will they look at for inprotant stuff like determining if I deserve merit aid or if I should get accepted</p>
<p>Every school has its own way of processing admissions and giving out merit money. That an essay is part of the application generally means that it counts towards the admissions decision, but not always. Some schools look at the numbers and not the essay much at all. Penn State is an example. The essay is not part of the admissions scoring. How much that essay counts also can vary widely. Also what an admissions office looks for in an essay varies. IMO, too much emphasis is put on that essay, and a student should not bank so much on it. I have seen even those with incredible info in the essay, well written essays, not have it make the swing. </p>
<p>Merit money is usually given by admissions to entice the most wanted candidates to come. If you are on the line for admissions, unless there is something you have that a college really wants, the chances of getting merit money is slim. You can also look at how much merit money a school gives, percent wise, and roughly gauge where you are in that applicant pool. If only 5% of those accepted are getting those awards and you are not in the top 5% of students at that school, it’s a good bet you are NOT getting any of that money.</p>
<p>Your admissions essay will be used for admissions. In the vast majority of cases, the financial aid department does not see the admission material at all.</p>
<p>Merit awards are based on the strength of your application, so in those cases, yes, your admissions essay would be considered for merit aid., as would your SAT scores and your GPA.</p>
<p>But do check…because at some colleges, a separate application and essays are required for certain merit awards. </p>
<p>@T00C00lF0rSCH00L </p>
<p>In another thread, you said that your SAT is a 1400. Is that for 2 sections or 3 sections?</p>
<p>I got 1400 for all three sections unfortunately I am not that smart 
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