🍦 Daily Digest Aug 16: Is Utah revolutionizing admissions?

Good morning folks! Here’s what we have today:

1. School of the Day: Harvey Mudd, STEM School Standard

2. Friday News Focus: University of Utah guarantees admission to 5,000 high school seniors – before they applied

3. Finance Tips: How to find Scholarships

SCHOOL OF THE DAY
Harvey Mudd

Every day, we cover a different school, helping you learn something new about your favorite schools or find a new school that could end up being your dream school.

📍 Location: Claremont, CA
🎓 Undergraduates Enrolled: 906
📊 Acceptance Rate: 13.4%
📝 Average SAT/ACT: 1530/34
💸 Tuition: $66,255
📅 Admission Options: November 15th (Early Decision I), January 5th (Early Decision II), January 5th (Regular Decision), March 15th (Transfer)
🏆 Top Ranking Programs: Undergrad Engineering (#2), Electrical Engineering (#5) (US News Rankings)
📈 Most Popular Majors: Engineering (29%), Computer Science (24%), Interdisciplinary Studies (18%) (US News)

Harvey Mudd College stands out as a prestigious institution where STEM meets liberal arts, crafting graduates who are both technically adept and well-rounded in critical thinking and communication. The small, tight-knit community fosters collaboration over competition, and the school’s interdisciplinary approach to education ensures that students are prepared for more than just technical challenges. If any of this piques your interest, here’s what else to know:

👥 Small Class Size: With only 900 undergraduates, Harvey Mudd’s intimate class size offers a tight-knit community and personalized attention. However, this small size can also be a drawback, as it leads to fewer course offerings, limited extracurricular options, and a narrower social scene. This is oftentimes the most polarizing detail about the school that leads to students being interested or disinterested.

🎶 Muddstock: Harvey Mudd has a unique tradition known as “Muddstock,” an annual music festival organized by students. It’s a day of live performances, food, and fun, bringing the entire campus community together for a much-needed break from rigorous academics.

🏃 West Dorm Run: During finals week, students participate in the “West Dorm Run,” a quirky tradition where they sprint around the dorm’s perimeter—often in costume (or less!)—to blow off steam and relieve stress.

🚀 High Flyers: Harvey Mudd graduates are known for their impressive starting salaries, with a median starting salary of over $90,000. This makes HMC grads some of the most sought-after in the job market, especially in tech and engineering fields.

🔬 Hands-On Research: HMC’s Clinic Program is a hallmark of the college, where students work on real-world projects sponsored by companies, government agencies, and non-profits. This experience often leads to job offers and gives students a significant edge in their careers.

📚 Cross-Registration: As part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, HMC students can take courses at any of the other Claremont institutions, such as Pomona, Claremont McKenna, Scripps, and Pitzer, offering a wide array of academic opportunities beyond STEM.

🚀 Space Connection: Harvey Mudd has produced notable alumni like NASA astronauts Stan Love and George “Pinky” Nelson, who have flown on multiple space missions, showcasing the impact HMC grads have beyond Earth.

Whether you’re drawn to Harvey Mudd’s rigorous academics, collaborative spirit, or unique traditions, this college offers a truly distinctive environment where you can thrive and prepare to make a significant impact in the world.

FRIDAY NEWS FOCUS
University of Utah Guarantees Admissions for 5,000 Seniors – Before they applied

The University of Utah has rolled out a groundbreaking initiative called “Utah Direct,” offering guaranteed admission to 5,000 high school students—before they even apply! This program targets 9th and 10th graders in four Utah school districts: Canyons, Davis, Granite, and Provo.

Here’s how it works: if these students maintain a 3.5 GPA by the start of their senior year, they’ll receive a letter from the University of Utah confirming their spot at the school. Imagine getting your college acceptance letter in your junior year—talk about an early celebration!

This initiative isn’t just about securing students early; it’s also a way for the University of Utah to expand its student body to 40,000 in the coming years. With Utah’s college-age population leveling off and competition among the state’s universities heating up, the U is staking its claim on these students before other schools can.

What does this mean for you? As direct admission programs like “Utah Direct” gain popularity, they could become a game-changer for future seniors. Knowing you’re guaranteed a spot at a university based on your GPA alone can take a huge weight off your shoulders, making those safety schools even safer.

So, would a program like this change your approach to choosing safeties? Keep an eye out—this might just be the start of a new trend in college admissions!

Read full story

FINANCE TIPS
Saving on Tuition with Scholarships

Paying for college can be daunting, but scholarships offer a way to significantly reduce the burden of tuition. With the right strategy and resources, you can secure funding that makes your college dreams more affordable. Here’s how you can navigate the scholarship landscape, from applying to prestigious national awards to uncovering lesser-known opportunities.

Big Scholarships to Consider

When it comes to scholarships, aiming high can pay off. Some of the most prestigious national scholarships offer significant financial aid and national recognition. Here are a few of the top ones to consider:

📚 Bryan Cameron Impact Scholarship: A full-tuition scholarship for students demonstrating leadership, community service, and academic excellence. (Applications closed for the class of 2025)

🥤 Coca-Cola Scholars Program: Awards 150 students with $20,000 each, recognizing academic success and community involvement.

🌎 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship: Provides up to $55,000 to high-achieving students with financial need.

Tips for Applying to Scholarships

⏰ Start Early: Many scholarships have deadlines as early as the fall of your senior year, so it’s crucial to begin your search and applications early. Make a timeline of deadlines to ensure you don’t miss any important dates.

🎨 Tailor Your Applications: Generic applications won’t stand out. Take the time to tailor each application to the specific scholarship, emphasizing how your achievements and goals align with the scholarship’s mission.

🗣️ Highlight Leadership and Impact: Scholarships often look for students who have demonstrated leadership and made a positive impact on their communities. Be sure to highlight any leadership roles, volunteer work, or projects that showcase your initiative and commitment to making a difference.

📝 Perfect Your Essays: Your essay is often the most critical part of your scholarship application. Make sure it tells a compelling story about who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and what you hope to achieve in the future. Get feedback from teachers, mentors, or family members to refine your essay.

🌎 Apply Broadly: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to a range of scholarships, from large national awards to smaller, local ones. Smaller scholarships may be less competitive, increasing your chances of success.

How and Where to Find Scholarships

Finding scholarships can feel overwhelming, but they can be found in all sorts of ways. Whether you’re aiming for prestigious national awards or quirky opportunities, here are some resources to help you uncover a wide range of scholarships:

👨‍💻 Online Scholarship Databases: Websites like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and the College Board Scholarship Search allow you to search for scholarships based on your background, interests, and qualifications. These databases are a great starting point for finding scholarships that you might not have heard of otherwise.

🚌 School Counseling Office: Your high school’s counseling office is a valuable resource for local scholarships. Many community organizations, local businesses, and foundations offer scholarships to students in the area, and your counselors can help you find and apply for these opportunities.

🎓 College Financial Aid Offices: Once you’ve been accepted to a college, reach out to their financial aid office for information on institutional scholarships. Many colleges offer merit-based and need-based scholarships to incoming students, and some even have separate applications for these awards.

📈 Community Organizations and Employers: Many local organizations, including Rotary Clubs, religious groups, and employers, offer scholarships to students in their communities. Check with organizations you or your family are involved with, as well as with your parents’ employers, to see if they offer scholarships.

🏛️ State and Federal Programs: Don’t overlook state-specific scholarships or federal programs like the Pell Grant, which can significantly reduce your tuition costs if you qualify. Each state has its own scholarship programs, often aimed at students who plan to attend college in-state.

Conclusion

Securing scholarships can be a game-changer when it comes to paying for college. By targeting big national scholarships, applying to a variety of awards, and using available resources to find opportunities, you can significantly reduce your tuition costs. Remember to start early, stay organized, and put your best foot forward in every application. With persistence and effort, scholarships can make your college education more affordable and attainable.

LINK LOUNGE
Key Resources & Scholarships

In the Link Lounge section, you can find links to great resources such as scholarships during the college application process. These links can be really helpful and will be updated as time goes on, so be sure to check back frequently!

Coca-Cola Scholars Program: prestigious $20,000 scholarship, 2024-25 applications now open
Fastweb Scholarship Finder: free service to search through hundreds of scholarships
Collegevine Sage: AI college counselor with over 2M users
Georgia Tech Admissions Blog: arguably the best admissions blog out there, providing commentary on important topics in the world of college admissions

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
Important testing dates are coming up!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

August SAT: Saturday, August 24
September ACT Registration Deadline: Sunday, August 25
September ACT: Saturday, September 15
University of Texas Early Action Deadline: October 15

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com

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