GOOD LUCK!!! Rachael learned last night that she needs a "business" outfit for it; we're going crazy trying to find something at this short notice. (And I'm blaming this on HER, btw.) She has a good friend who does debate, and she is bringing something to Youth Group tonight that might work. I'll be SO GLAD when this process is done!!! Be sure to let us know as soon as he finds out, either way!
Thanks, Jackie. Here's some questions they asked in case Rachael wants some practice: If you could switch places with anyone, living or dead, for one day, who would it be? What was the biggest risk you've ever taken? If you won 10 million dollars, what would you do with it? Why should we give you this Presidential Scholarship? Good luck to Rachael!!!!
Karen, thanks!!! She said, "I don't know right off the top of my head!!!" And I told her that was the kind of questions they ask, and the idea is for you to consider the answers in advance....
Karen, you are NOT going to believe what happened! We arrived at the registration this morning, went through the breakfast line, and found a table with three empty seats. This room has over 100 people in it. We go to sit down, and the girl Rachael sits next to was someone she KNEW!!! They had never met in real time, but were "cyber-friends" from the Teen Homeschool Hang, and also on FB. They recognized each other from pictures they had posted on FB. Neither had any idea the other would be there. Now what are the chances of that happening?
They're tomorrow. Today we toured campus, and got to talk to the head of the engineering department. Tonight the kids met with their student host, and then we had dinner. We're at the hotel now; Rachael is watching a movie at a faculty member's house, then a concert in the coffee shop, and then to her host's for the night. Tomorrow she has her interview at 9:00 AM, and will have two discussion groups...one on a book they had to read, and one on a "topic of current interest". Politics, maybe? Health care? We'll see her again tomorrow around 5:00.
This sounds like a really great way to get a feel for the school. Lots of schools offer overnight stays, but I like the fact that they add an element of intellect to it and not just social. I hope it went well. We had a tour and discussions for a college yesterday where my son was already offered a presidential scholarship. It's one of our local colleges. Okay, so it's my alma mater and where my oldest son goes also. But we're still up in the air about where to send son #2. I'd prefer he stays at my local alma mater, but son is still interested in going away. The other college where he is waiting to hear about their presidential scholarship is only 40 minutes away, but I found it very unimpressive, but son really liked it. I think there is no comparison between the two. I think he just wants to go away. Hmmm. We'll see.
She said that, when it came to the personal interview, she realized at one point that she repeating herself. So she said, "...and I think I'm beginning to ramble, so I think I'd better quit with this question now." One of the people doing the interview replied, "Minus one point for rambling; plus one point for honesty. OK! You're even now!" And everyone laughed, which helped put Rachael at ease. They said that they are going to offer two complete scholarships with R&B, another 30 full-tuition, and another 30 at 75% tuition. Everyone who came to the Scholars of Excellence weekend already had 50% tuition. I think they said there were about 160 students taking part, so there's a good possibility she might get more. Compared to the other school. They had over 200 applicants for the scholarships, only invited eight to the competition, and only gives out two at 75%. She had decided they wouldn't invite her anyway, so why bother? I pushed her to do it; told her that if they didn't, that was fine. But if she didn't try, there was no doubt that they wouldn't. And they didn't invite her, but they also didn't invite her friend who we both felt REALLY deserved an opportunity!
Well, we heard today, and she didn't get any additional money. :cry: She picked up the mail today, and didn't mention it was in it. Then at dinner, she announced that she wasn't getting any additional money for. She was disapointed; her eyes started tearing up. So we're going to see what our options are; there's still a chance she can go there. There's an engineering scholarship of some kind, and also a small one for AWANA Citation Award. But I'm also going to set up for her to visit Ohio University, too
I'm sorry to hear that, Jackie. We got the letter here yesterday also. My ds did not get the Presidential scholarship that he had interviewed for either. While I know my ds was disappointed, he wasn't terribly upset by it. My dh and I, on the other hand, are a bit relieved. I was not at all impressed with the college and prefer the other college that did offer him their best scholarship. Their best is not a full scholarship, but it will end up costing us only $7000/year. My ds knew that the only possible way we would consider the other school was if they gave him the full scholarship. Since that did not happen, he'll be going to the one we want him to go to. It makes the decision easier. I'm sorry that he's disappointed, but I think that in the long run, this is the better school for him. It's local, so he'll be a commuter student (with big brother).
There is still the Engineering Scholarship; I faxed the form for that today. If she gets that, plus a grant, plus her AWANA CITATION scholarship, would pretty much cover tuitition. We'll have to come up with the cost of R&B, but it's be no more expensive to attend there with R&B as it would be to attend the state school with full tuition. So we'll see. She REALLY wants to go to Union. I wish going somewhere close and living at home was an option!
Well, Rachael emailed Union today. They told her that, since she already had half scholarship, she didn't qualify for the Engineering scholarship. Sigh.... I asked her if she was OK with that; Her reply was, "I will be." Sigh.... Well, I've no doubt that God can use her at a state school.
