In an effort to tap into the pool of top-notch students, the University of Minnesota-Duluth unveiled four new scholarship programs this week to lure high school graduates to northern Minnesota.
But officials on the Twin Cities campus, who have been weighing recruiting strategies themselves, said only one of the scholarships and tuition-waiver policies is a likely option here.
“I was a little surprised,” Bob Kvavik, associate vice president, said of UMD’s announcement. “I don’t really see the recruiting advantage.”
Most of the options Duluth proposed would be ineffective in the Twin Cities as a recruiting tool because it rewards students after they have already decided to come to the school, Kvavik said. He said he still believes the best strategies are merit-based scholarships and multiple-year awards for high-ability students who are considering the school.
Duluth’s alumni scholarship, however, is something the University might consider, Kvavik said. This option would allow non-resident students of University alumni to pay in-state tuition. But the policy must be formulated by the University’s admissions office because it is in charge of recruitment.
Another scholarship option Duluth introduced is for new freshmen who rank among the top two students of their high school class. These students would only be asked to pay half of their tuition costs.
Duluth is also offering two new types of tuition waivers — one for out-of-state and another for international students. Non-reciprocity students in the top 25 percent of their high school class are eligible for the waiver.
— Nancy Ngo