What does it take to get a full ride like Banneker-Key

[Anonymous]

I think it was email and portal, I have not seen it. Notification came about a week after acceptance and notification of honors college. The information flow was not very good. She was just told that she will need to interview but not given a time or date.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both my DCs got it plus my neighbors DC 4 years ago. The one major thing besides good ECs, test scores and grades that they all had in common, is that they were ranked 1st from their large public high school in their respective year. Knowing how different they were, I have to imagine that being valedictorian was a huge factor

What counties have class rank? Most schools have many 4.0UW, and the weighting is arbitrary nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I can tell you what another non-recipient looks like: MCPS SMCS magnet, 4.0W, 4.85UW, 1600 SAT, top 5 percent of class, 10 AP exams, all 5s. High level of accomplishment in musical instrument including Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra, varsity sport. Multiple volunteering experiences.

My MCPS smcs kud was surprised which class mates got them. Not that they were not very strong students but clearly there were non academic factors as well..like leadership DD was similar to above. She did not get BK but got free tuition but not room and board. I don't remember the name of her scholarship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:@17:41. Boston Colleg Gabelli presidential and Univedity of Richmond Scholars. Gabelli is the preferred choice although UR is tuition room and board.

Congrats to your daughter. Fingers crossed for her on all counts!

[Anonymous]

No email for merit to DC, high SAT and GPA don't think school ranks. Has leadership as well as good EC.

[Anonymous]

It's old, but this article is a great insight into competing for full-ride scholarships.
https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/magazine/30neurosis-t.html

Many schools have them, though not all advertise. For instance, I believe Duke and Stanford screen all applicants for eligibility for their flagship full-ride scholarships, flag potential winners, snd then select from that sub-pool.

[Anonymous]

@19:53. Thank you. It has been a great past three weeks after EA deferral from 1st choice ivy. We are hoping for BC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both my DCs got it plus my neighbors DC 4 years ago. The one major thing besides good ECs, test scores and grades that they all had in common, is that they were ranked 1st from their large public high school in their respective year. Knowing how different they were, I have to imagine that being valedictorian was a huge factor

MCPS doesn't do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I teach at a magnet and know many of the kids that get offers for the 2nd round interview. I think one of the factors between the partial and full scholarship is financial need (as it should be IMO).

I don't think that is the case. My kid got a partial and we have no need. The other child we know that got the full BK was more exceptional. Musician, athlete, and Student government. Both were NMFs and had perfect grades. My kid had interesting ECs but not an athlete.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both my DCs got it plus my neighbors DC 4 years ago. The one major thing besides good ECs, test scores and grades that they all had in common, is that they were ranked 1st from their large public high school in their respective year. Knowing how different they were, I have to imagine that being valedictorian was a huge factor

MCPS doesn't do this.

MCPS may not list rank on the transcript, but if UMD is comparing 5 kids from the same high school, all they have to do is look at GPAs and they can put them in ranking order.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both my DCs got it plus my neighbors DC 4 years ago. The one major thing besides good ECs, test scores and grades that they all had in common, is that they were ranked 1st from their large public high school in their respective year. Knowing how different they were, I have to imagine that being valedictorian was a huge factor

MCPS doesn't do this.

MCPS may not list rank on the transcript, but if UMD is comparing 5 kids from the same high school, all they have to do is look at GPAs and they can put them in ranking order.

Yes, water is wet!

- dp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone’s kid got a full ride elsewhere? It seems like a lot of schools have them.

DD is a full ride scholar at Duke. Her advice for the kids is to identify and pursue their own passions, so that they could enjoy their lives no matter whether they get into a dream school/receive a scholarship or not.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I can tell you what one non-recipient looks like! MCPS, well-rounded high flyer.

Very high test scores (National Merit Finalist).
Almost 4.0 UW, 4.7+ WGPA.
Many APs (12 tests, I think), including BC Calc.
Probably at least one excellent rec, based on teacher comments, the other at least strong.
Great extracurriculars (some in line with major) with leadership.

My takeaway? Be happily surprised if the offer comes through, but don't plan for it. (Glad we didn't!)[/quote]
My non BK DC stats:

MCPS IB manget
4.92 wga/4.0 uwgpa
1580 SAT

CS major - white/asian[/quote]

Wow! IB magnet? Mad respect.

My non BK DC stats -

MCPS SMCS magnet
4.85 wgpa/4.0 gpa
1590 SAT, NMS finalist
Great recommendations, multiple leadership positions, state and national level ECs, 400+ SSL hours, research papers, internships, multiple ECs, 13 APs with 4s and 5s, trilingual, runs a charity, excellent essays.

CS major - Asian male.

HHI is 400K+. Did that play a part?

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I can tell you what one non-recipient looks like! MCPS, well-rounded high flyer.

Very high test scores (National Merit Finalist).
Almost 4.0 UW, 4.7+ WGPA.
Many APs (12 tests, I think), including BC Calc.
Probably at least one excellent rec, based on teacher comments, the other at least strong.
Great extracurriculars (some in line with major) with leadership.

My takeaway? Be happily surprised if the offer comes through, but don't plan for it. (Glad we didn't!)[/quote]
My non BK DC stats:

MCPS IB manget
4.92 wga/4.0 uwgpa
1580 SAT

CS major - white/asian[/quote]

Wow! IB magnet? Mad respect.

My non BK DC stats -

MCPS SMCS magnet
4.85 wgpa/4.0 gpa
1590 SAT, NMS finalist
Great recommendations, multiple leadership positions, state and national level ECs, 400+ SSL hours, research papers, internships, multiple ECs, 13 APs with 4s and 5s, trilingual, runs a charity, excellent essays.

CS major - Asian male.

HHI is 400K+. Did that play a part?




[/quote]

No. They don’t consider your HHI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are all bk email sent? DC didn’t receive it. Guess is a non-recipient.

Yes, I admit being a tiny bit bummed that DD didn’t make it. She compared well to a family friend who got it two years ago. Even stronger in ECs.