Did Anyone Here Get Merit Aid to a Top School?

[Anonymous]

We’re UMC and unfortunately fall into the category of unlikely to qualify for aid although paying full is a big investment, doable but not ideal. However, DC still has eyes set on the likes of top ivies, Stanford, Duke, etc. I know the ivies don’t offer merit scholarships, but we noticed some top schools like Duke, Vanderbilt, UChicago, Johns Hopkins, etc. offer non-need based scholarships to some students each year. We know it’s a long shot but does anyone here have experience with any of these scholarships at top schools, and if so, what did your DC do to qualify and where else did they get in? Of course we’re prepared to save money by staying in-state too.

[Anonymous]

No. And DS was his school's nominee for the Jefferson Scholarship (full ride at UVA) but made it only to semi-finals. We got zero financial aid, zero merit

[Anonymous]

There was someone here whose child got the AB Duke scholarship. Maybe they still roam the forum, would be curious to here what their child did to get it as well, and also where else they got in (I’m assuming they accepted the scholarship)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was someone here whose child got the AB Duke scholarship. Maybe they still roam the forum, would be curious to here what their child did to get it as well, and also where else they got in (I’m assuming they accepted the scholarship)

I'm here. We didn't know anything about Duke's scholarships until they contacted DD and informed her that she is a finalist for one. DD was also accepted by GA Tech, UVA, VA Tech, etc. and waitlisted by the two Ivies and CMU. She is exceptionally self-motivated and driven: participated in numerous competitions, won some, volunteered a lot, had a part-time job since the age of 14 teaching math and reading. Co-authored a CS textbook, is fluent in our native language, was a co-captain of the two school clubs, NM Scholar, high SAT and GPA (4.65 at TJ), a dozen AP exams all 5s, took the most challenging classes (e.g., Multivariable Calc and AP Physics C in 10th grade, the most challenging 4xx undergraduate math class at Duke during her 1st semester). She just started her 2nd semester at Duke and feels that 5 classes and several clubs aren't enough, so she applied for various part-time jobs and is about to start working as a software engineer 15 hours a week. She somehow still has plenty of time to socialize with her awesome friends, exercise, read books, watch movies, YouTube, and TikTok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was someone here whose child got the AB Duke scholarship. Maybe they still roam the forum, would be curious to here what their child did to get it as well, and also where else they got in (I’m assuming they accepted the scholarship)

I'm here. We didn't know anything about Duke's scholarships until they contacted DD and informed her that she is a finalist for one. DD was also accepted by GA Tech, UVA, VA Tech, etc. and waitlisted by the two Ivies and CMU. She is exceptionally self-motivated and driven: participated in numerous competitions, won some, volunteered a lot, had a part-time job since the age of 14 teaching math and reading. Co-authored a CS textbook, is fluent in our native language, was a co-captain of the two school clubs, NM Scholar, high SAT and GPA (4.65 at TJ), a dozen AP exams all 5s, took the most challenging classes (e.g., Multivariable Calc and AP Physics C in 10th grade, the most challenging 4xx undergraduate math class at Duke during her 1st semester). She just started her 2nd semester at Duke and feels that 5 classes and several clubs aren't enough, so she applied for various part-time jobs and is about to start working as a software engineer 15 hours a week. She somehow still has plenty of time to socialize with her awesome friends, exercise, read books, watch movies, YouTube, and TikTok.

You should super proud of your amazing daughter. From what you say here, she will clearly go on to do great things.

I did want to tell you that it took me about 30 seconds to figure out her name from the information you posted here (and I have no tie to TJ or Duke). Maybe you might want to ask Jeff to delete and repost without the identifying information? I am a middle-aged mom of a kid the same age and I worry about things like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was someone here whose child got the AB Duke scholarship. Maybe they still roam the forum, would be curious to here what their child did to get it as well, and also where else they got in (I’m assuming they accepted the scholarship)

I'm here. We didn't know anything about Duke's scholarships until they contacted DD and informed her that she is a finalist for one. DD was also accepted by GA Tech, UVA, VA Tech, etc. and waitlisted by the two Ivies and CMU. She is exceptionally self-motivated and driven: participated in numerous competitions, won some, volunteered a lot, had a part-time job since the age of 14 teaching math and reading. Co-authored a CS textbook, is fluent in our native language, was a co-captain of the two school clubs, NM Scholar, high SAT and GPA (4.65 at TJ), a dozen AP exams all 5s, took the most challenging classes (e.g., Multivariable Calc and AP Physics C in 10th grade, the most challenging 4xx undergraduate math class at Duke during her 1st semester). She just started her 2nd semester at Duke and feels that 5 classes and several clubs aren't enough, so she applied for various part-time jobs and is about to start working as a software engineer 15 hours a week. She somehow still has plenty of time to socialize with her awesome friends, exercise, read books, watch movies, YouTube, and TikTok.

You should super proud of your amazing daughter. From what you say here, she will clearly go on to do great things.

I did want to tell you that it took me about 30 seconds to figure out her name from the information you posted here (and I have no tie to TJ or Duke). Maybe you might want to ask Jeff to delete and repost without the identifying information? I am a middle-aged mom of a kid the same age and I worry about things like this.

Thank you, we are very proud. Duke has all the scholars and their pictures on the website so I know that it's not anonymous. Most of this information is on her LinkedIn profile, and if you google her name, it's going to be on the 1st page of the search results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was someone here whose child got the AB Duke scholarship. Maybe they still roam the forum, would be curious to here what their child did to get it as well, and also where else they got in (I’m assuming they accepted the scholarship)

I'm here. We didn't know anything about Duke's scholarships until they contacted DD and informed her that she is a finalist for one. DD was also accepted by GA Tech, UVA, VA Tech, etc. and waitlisted by the two Ivies and CMU. She is exceptionally self-motivated and driven: participated in numerous competitions, won some, volunteered a lot, had a part-time job since the age of 14 teaching math and reading. Co-authored a CS textbook, is fluent in our native language, was a co-captain of the two school clubs, NM Scholar, high SAT and GPA (4.65 at TJ), a dozen AP exams all 5s, took the most challenging classes (e.g., Multivariable Calc and AP Physics C in 10th grade, the most challenging 4xx undergraduate math class at Duke during her 1st semester). She just started her 2nd semester at Duke and feels that 5 classes and several clubs aren't enough, so she applied for various part-time jobs and is about to start working as a software engineer 15 hours a week. She somehow still has plenty of time to socialize with her awesome friends, exercise, read books, watch movies, YouTube, and TikTok.

You should super proud of your amazing daughter. From what you say here, she will clearly go on to do great things.

I did want to tell you that it took me about 30 seconds to figure out her name from the information you posted here (and I have no tie to TJ or Duke). Maybe you might want to ask Jeff to delete and repost without the identifying information? I am a middle-aged mom of a kid the same age and I worry about things like this.

What exactly is it that you're worried about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was someone here whose child got the AB Duke scholarship. Maybe they still roam the forum, would be curious to here what their child did to get it as well, and also where else they got in (I’m assuming they accepted the scholarship)

I'm here. We didn't know anything about Duke's scholarships until they contacted DD and informed her that she is a finalist for one. DD was also accepted by GA Tech, UVA, VA Tech, etc. and waitlisted by the two Ivies and CMU. She is exceptionally self-motivated and driven: participated in numerous competitions, won some, volunteered a lot, had a part-time job since the age of 14 teaching math and reading. Co-authored a CS textbook, is fluent in our native language, was a co-captain of the two school clubs, NM Scholar, high SAT and GPA (4.65 at TJ), a dozen AP exams all 5s, took the most challenging classes (e.g., Multivariable Calc and AP Physics C in 10th grade, the most challenging 4xx undergraduate math class at Duke during her 1st semester). She just started her 2nd semester at Duke and feels that 5 classes and several clubs aren't enough, so she applied for various part-time jobs and is about to start working as a software engineer 15 hours a week. She somehow still has plenty of time to socialize with her awesome friends, exercise, read books, watch movies, YouTube, and TikTok.

You should super proud of your amazing daughter. From what you say here, she will clearly go on to do great things.

I did want to tell you that it took me about 30 seconds to figure out her name from the information you posted here (and I have no tie to TJ or Duke). Maybe you might want to ask Jeff to delete and repost without the identifying information? I am a middle-aged mom of a kid the same age and I worry about things like this.

Thank you, we are very proud. Duke has all the scholars and their pictures on the website so I know that it's not anonymous. Most of this information is on her LinkedIn profile, and if you google her name, it's going to be on the 1st page of the search results.

Okay sounds good!! Look forward to seeing what she does in the future!

[Anonymous]

You can apply for community scholarships or those offered by other outside groups (e.g., the Goldwater). Kids at tops schools often have the resume to be competitive, but it's a lot of work to apply and win enough smaller awards to make a dent in the cost of attendance at a top school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was someone here whose child got the AB Duke scholarship. Maybe they still roam the forum, would be curious to here what their child did to get it as well, and also where else they got in (I’m assuming they accepted the scholarship)

I'm here. We didn't know anything about Duke's scholarships until they contacted DD and informed her that she is a finalist for one. DD was also accepted by GA Tech, UVA, VA Tech, etc. and waitlisted by the two Ivies and CMU. She is exceptionally self-motivated and driven: participated in numerous competitions, won some, volunteered a lot, had a part-time job since the age of 14 teaching math and reading. Co-authored a CS textbook, is fluent in our native language, was a co-captain of the two school clubs, NM Scholar, high SAT and GPA (4.65 at TJ), a dozen AP exams all 5s, took the most challenging classes (e.g., Multivariable Calc and AP Physics C in 10th grade, the most challenging 4xx undergraduate math class at Duke during her 1st semester). She just started her 2nd semester at Duke and feels that 5 classes and several clubs aren't enough, so she applied for various part-time jobs and is about to start working as a software engineer 15 hours a week. She somehow still has plenty of time to socialize with her awesome friends, exercise, read books, watch movies, YouTube, and TikTok.

You should super proud of your amazing daughter. From what you say here, she will clearly go on to do great things.

I did want to tell you that it took me about 30 seconds to figure out her name from the information you posted here (and I have no tie to TJ or Duke). Maybe you might want to ask Jeff to delete and repost without the identifying information? I am a middle-aged mom of a kid the same age and I worry about things like this.

What exactly is it that you're worried about?

New poster here. This makes no sense--what would you worry about? it's just a kid's resume. Many kids her age (18/19) have a Linkedin account that is open to the public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was someone here whose child got the AB Duke scholarship. Maybe they still roam the forum, would be curious to here what their child did to get it as well, and also where else they got in (I’m assuming they accepted the scholarship)

I'm here. We didn't know anything about Duke's scholarships until they contacted DD and informed her that she is a finalist for one. DD was also accepted by GA Tech, UVA, VA Tech, etc. and waitlisted by the two Ivies and CMU. She is exceptionally self-motivated and driven: participated in numerous competitions, won some, volunteered a lot, had a part-time job since the age of 14 teaching math and reading. Co-authored a CS textbook, is fluent in our native language, was a co-captain of the two school clubs, NM Scholar, high SAT and GPA (4.65 at TJ), a dozen AP exams all 5s, took the most challenging classes (e.g., Multivariable Calc and AP Physics C in 10th grade, the most challenging 4xx undergraduate math class at Duke during her 1st semester). She just started her 2nd semester at Duke and feels that 5 classes and several clubs aren't enough, so she applied for various part-time jobs and is about to start working as a software engineer 15 hours a week. She somehow still has plenty of time to socialize with her awesome friends, exercise, read books, watch movies, YouTube, and TikTok.

Congratulations. Your daughter has amazing accomplishments! I most impressed with her drive. I wish my son had some of that.

[Anonymous]

I also know who your daughter is, because my daughter is good friends with her. I just wanted to chime in and say that she is a truly, truly exceptional human. Outside of all of these accolades, she goes out of her way to show kindness to kids who are going through tough times. she also creates opportunities for others to shine. Every time I heard a story about her from my DD I was impressed by her character. You should truly be proud of her, and she deserves every award that comes her way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was someone here whose child got the AB Duke scholarship. Maybe they still roam the forum, would be curious to here what their child did to get it as well, and also where else they got in (I’m assuming they accepted the scholarship)

I'm here. We didn't know anything about Duke's scholarships until they contacted DD and informed her that she is a finalist for one. DD was also accepted by GA Tech, UVA, VA Tech, etc. and waitlisted by the two Ivies and CMU. She is exceptionally self-motivated and driven: participated in numerous competitions, won some, volunteered a lot, had a part-time job since the age of 14 teaching math and reading. Co-authored a CS textbook, is fluent in our native language, was a co-captain of the two school clubs, NM Scholar, high SAT and GPA (4.65 at TJ), a dozen AP exams all 5s, took the most challenging classes (e.g., Multivariable Calc and AP Physics C in 10th grade, the most challenging 4xx undergraduate math class at Duke during her 1st semester). She just started her 2nd semester at Duke and feels that 5 classes and several clubs aren't enough, so she applied for various part-time jobs and is about to start working as a software engineer 15 hours a week. She somehow still has plenty of time to socialize with her awesome friends, exercise, read books, watch movies, YouTube, and TikTok.

Really incredible, congrats to your daughter. And it just shows how random admissions is these days - usually kids who get scholarships to Duke are essentially guaranteed to also have gotten into Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, or MIT. Looks like those schools missed out and Duke got a great one!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also know who your daughter is, because my daughter is good friends with her. I just wanted to chime in and say that she is a truly, truly exceptional human. Outside of all of these accolades, she goes out of her way to show kindness to kids who are going through tough times. she also creates opportunities for others to shine. Every time I heard a story about her from my DD I was impressed by her character. You should truly be proud of her, and she deserves every award that comes her way.

Oh thank you so much! She always speaks highly of her friends, they are a very important part of her life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was someone here whose child got the AB Duke scholarship. Maybe they still roam the forum, would be curious to here what their child did to get it as well, and also where else they got in (I’m assuming they accepted the scholarship)

I'm here. We didn't know anything about Duke's scholarships until they contacted DD and informed her that she is a finalist for one. DD was also accepted by GA Tech, UVA, VA Tech, etc. and waitlisted by the two Ivies and CMU. She is exceptionally self-motivated and driven: participated in numerous competitions, won some, volunteered a lot, had a part-time job since the age of 14 teaching math and reading. Co-authored a CS textbook, is fluent in our native language, was a co-captain of the two school clubs, NM Scholar, high SAT and GPA (4.65 at TJ), a dozen AP exams all 5s, took the most challenging classes (e.g., Multivariable Calc and AP Physics C in 10th grade, the most challenging 4xx undergraduate math class at Duke during her 1st semester). She just started her 2nd semester at Duke and feels that 5 classes and several clubs aren't enough, so she applied for various part-time jobs and is about to start working as a software engineer 15 hours a week. She somehow still has plenty of time to socialize with her awesome friends, exercise, read books, watch movies, YouTube, and TikTok.

Really incredible, congrats to your daughter. And it just shows how random admissions is these days - usually kids who get scholarships to Duke are essentially guaranteed to also have gotten into Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, or MIT. Looks like those schools missed out and Duke got a great one!

I was going to say this. I’m surprised she didn’t get accepted in MIT. Huge loss for MIT and the Ivies!