What are some scholarships for a junior like me?

Stanford Scholarships? HELP?

• I am currently curious about speech and debate scholarships, specifically. It is my dream to attend Stanford University. For the past two years (including currently---I am a Junior)---I have made it to the statewide tournament, and have placed 1st (sophomore year) and 2nd (both Freshman and Junior year)---at the QUALIFYING tournament. At states (only sophomore year), I placed 10th in my stlye of debate, LD (Lincoln Douglas) I attended the NATIONALS Lincoln Douglas debate tournament my sophomore year (and will be doing so this year)---and placed 32nd out of two hundred, and thirty nine kids whom attended the tournament. Other LOCAL awards include: Freshmen Year: 4th Place, Lincoln Douglas Debate 2nd Place, Original Oratory (Speech event---not debate) 1st place, Lincoln Douglas Debate 2nd Place, State Qualifying Debate Tournament Sophomore Year: 1st Place Oratorical Interpretation (Speech Event 1st Place Lincoln Douglas 3rd Place STANFORD High School Invitational Debate Tourn. 1st Place State Qualifying Debate Tournament 10th place, State Debate Tournament 32nd Place (out of Two-Hundred and thirty nine kids) NATIONALS Debate Tournament Junior Year: 2nd Place Lincoln Douglas 2nd Place Original Oratory 2nd Place State Qualifying Debate Tournament My freshmen year, I was VP of Speech and Debate, and my sophomore year O was President of Speech and Debate. I also acted as the COACH (literally!!!)---because I was left in charge of everything, I raised money for the club, and signed myself, and others up for tournaments! I also helped coach a middle school debate team (Leonardo da Vinci K-8), my sophomore year, and am currently doing the same right now. I also plan to do so next year. So I would be coaching the team for three years consistently. - - - - - I know prestigious schools such as Stanford like success stories...stories were people do what they enjoy...and they're good at what they do. Speech and Debate is my passion. Is this enough to show Stanford (and Stanford specifically)---that I am good at debate, and that I would like a scholarship? Would they give me a scholarship, perhaps even a full ride scholarship? I haven't talked to my counselors, so, ideally, I have completely confused. I really would like a full ride scholarship to a school like Stanford, because of speech and debate. Is this possible? If it isn't...what more can i do to get a full ride scholarship for something like speech & debate?!?!

• Answer:

  Stanford doesn't offer merit-based scholarships, either for speech & debate or really for any noteworthy thing you've done in general because the caliber of their students is so high that all of their students would normally be deserving of a scholarship at another school. You can read more about their financial aid here: https://www.stanford.edu/dept/finaid/undergrad/types/index.html but essentially, it's only need-based. Your awards are pretty good, but I know a number of kids who were ranked in the top 5 in the state and top 10 nationally in various events who got turned down from both Stanford and similar schools. There are obviously 50 states and thus a lot of people who win a lot of awards, so you'd essentially have to be #1 for all your years in your event (probably LD) to make yourself really stand out from just another gifted speaker/debater, since plenty of those do apply to Stanford.