Full-Ride Scholarship: 10 Tips for Applying

College is your ticket to a successful future, but the cost is certainly not cheap. Have you ever dreamt of having your college education entirely paid for? Your dream could come true, but it will take a lot of hard work to increase your chances of winning a full-ride scholarship.

In this blog, we explain what to expect from the scholarship process and offer 10 tips for how to work toward this challenging goal.

How Much of My College Costs Will a Scholarship Cover?

It’s not uncommon to earn a scholarship if you maintain great grades or have a unique background. Although, it’s important to understand that not all scholarships are created equal in terms of how much they cover in college costs.

Partial scholarships are the most common type of scholarship. This will cover a portion of your college tuition or other associated costs and can consist of any monetary amount. Some partial scholarships are offered once, while others can be offered each year that you attend college and still meet the requirements. Please note that with the latter it is common that you will have to maintain a certain GPA or other requirements to continue to receive this gift.

Full-tuition scholarships will cover your tuition in full for each year that you attend the college, as long as you continue to meet the specific scholarship conditions. Keep in mind that full-tuition scholarships just cover your tuition. They don’t cover the additional costs of attending college like room and board, meals, books, etc.

Full-ride scholarships are the ones that cover a student’s entire cost of attending college. They usually state that they cover the tuition, plus an additional stipend or other costs like room and board, meals, books, fees, etc. Some full-ride scholarships are one-year commitments, and students have to meet certain criteria in order to continue to receive coverage for additional years. Full-ride scholarships are rare, and they are typically offered to top-ranked athletes or students with exceptional academic or leadership credentials.

Our best advice is to look into the specifics regarding each scholarship you consider. There are many factors that go into this, and the process can vary entirely depending on a student’s circumstances.

What to Expect From the Process

In general, the application process for full-ride scholarships can be more exhaustive than the typical application process for smaller scholarship awards. In other words, the more significant the scholarship amount is, the more intensive the requirements or application process tends to be.

For example, some college scholarship programs require students to establish National Merit Finalist status to qualify. In other instances, there may be an interview involved (or even multiple interviews). If you’re an athlete, you may have to meet with the coaches or provide a verbal commitment by a specific date. Quite a lot of money is at stake, and the organizations that hand out these awards want to ensure that the funds go to students who are committed and will make the most of their opportunities.

Every organization that offers full-ride scholarships establishes its own eligibility criteria, requirements, and application process. In general, you can expect to submit the application itself, along with any required documentation pertaining to academics, test scores, athletics, community service, and so on. You’ll also likely need to submit one or more letters of reference, and you may need to sit for an interview and/or write an essay.

Like other scholarships, a full-ride scholarship can be awarded based on any number of factors, and those factors often determine the type of documentation you’ll need to submit. Here’s a look at the most common types.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit-based, full-ride scholarships are based on academic achievements. (They’re also referred to as academic scholarships.) To win a merit-based scholarship, you must demonstrate academic excellence across subject areas or sometimes in a particular area. Merit-based scholarship applications will request proof of your grade point average (GPA) or may require you to obtain certain test scores on the PSAT, SAT®, or ACT® tests.

Need-Based Scholarships

Need-based full-ride scholarships are based on your financial need. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify, they can be worth checking out, just in case. Expect to provide your or your parents income documentation, such as with the FAFSA® or CSS Profile. Keep in mind that some colleges will automatically consider you for need-based scholarships when you submit the FAFSA.

Read more about how to fill out the FAFSA.

Athletic Scholarships

In addition to being a fun, healthy way to pass the time, sports can sometimes prove profitable for student athletes. Athletic full-ride scholarships may be awarded by colleges to student athletes who demonstrate consistent, exceptional athletic abilities and dedication. Be aware that you may also need to meet minimum academic requirements.

Athletic scholarships are becoming less available. There is a limited number of scholarships per team or sport. By giving partial scholarships or a combined athletic and academic award, schools can recruit more student athletes. Let’s also emphasize that some highly competitive schools, like Ivy League institutions, do not offer athletic scholarships—they only offer need-based scholarships.

Government Scholarships

State and federal governmental agencies offer some full-ride scholarships to students. Federal government scholarships are typically reserved for students who are preparing to enter a military academy, as well as to ROTC students. State-sponsored, full-ride scholarships are typically reserved for students who intend on attending specified state universities.

Community-Sponsored Scholarships

Some local civic organizations and chambers of commerce may offer full-ride scholarships. Their eligibility criteria and required documentation can vary considerably. Check with your guidance counselor about community-sponsored scholarships that may be available in your area.

Other Scholarships

The above list represents the most common types of full-ride scholarships, but there are others. For example, a company may offer private scholarships to students who plan on majoring in a field relevant to that business. Additionally, some full-ride scholarships are based on factors such as hobbies, extracurriculars, and personal heritage (e.g. Native American).

10 Tips for Applying for Full-Ride Scholarships

1. Assess your strengths and stand-out characteristics

There are millions of high school students across the U.S. during any given year, but there is only one of you. Your passions, strengths, perspectives, special talents, identity, and more all go into creating your unique self. When colleges or scholarship organizations review your application, you’ll want them to see you as you truly are: a uniquely talented individual with a bright future ahead of you.

Your first step toward increasing your chances of winning a full-ride scholarship is to do an honest assessment of your strengths, passions, special talents, and other characteristics that set you apart from the crowd. This is important for two reasons. First, identifying those aspects of yourself will enable you to better cultivate them. (If you’re crazy about artwork, then you should capitalize on your passion by pursuing art-related activities and achievements.) Second, knowing yourself better will allow you to identify the full-ride scholarship opportunities that you can pursue.

2. Start building an impressive record as early as possible

Scholarship committees typically like to award scholarships to students who have maintained an impressive body of work over multiple years. This applies not just to academics, but also extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership roles.

Extracurricular activities in particular can be the key to winning a full-ride scholarship, as some organizations award funds based on students’ non-scholarly pursuits. For example, if you get involved in your yearbook community and write for the school newspaper, you might qualify for a journalism scholarship. Similarly, being an outstanding member of Future Farmers of America (FFA) could qualify you to win scholarship money.

It’s best to follow your passions when choosing extracurricular activities. However, it’s also a good idea to research full-ride scholarship opportunities as soon as you start high school so you can make informed decisions about your activities. Across all of your extracurriculars, look for opportunities to step into leadership roles (e.g. serving as President of the Chess Club). Some full-ride scholarships take demonstrated leadership experience into consideration.

In addition to extracurriculars, you’ll want to demonstrate a sustained track record of community service. Look for at least one or two community service opportunities each year. Serving as a volunteer at the same organization year after year is also a good idea, as it demonstrates your commitment.

3. Develop relationships with mentors, including teachers

Your parents or guardians may be your primary source of guidance, but it’s also important to cultivate relationships with mentors outside your household. Teachers, sports coaches, supervisors at volunteer jobs, and heads of local civic organizations all have the potential to serve as your mentors.

Some mentorships are formally established, such as through a mentorship program. Others are informal and develop naturally over time. Either will serve you well. Not only will you get some invaluable advice from your mentors, but you’ll also be able to ask them for letters of recommendation for your scholarship applications.

How does a high school student go about cultivating a mentor/mentee relationship? It’s really not as hard as it might sound. For example, let’s say your passion is creative writing and your English teacher has already encouraged you to continue pursuing it. Ask your teacher if you can schedule some time to have a chat after school. You can ask for feedback on a particular piece of writing, request advice on related career paths, or simply talk about how much you enjoyed the last fiction book that your teacher assigned to the class.

Continue developing a good rapport with your teacher over time. By the time you’re ready to apply to a full-ride scholarship, your mentor will know you so well that they will be able to write a detailed letter of recommendation for you. Be sure to politely request a letter of recommendation a few months before the application deadline.

4. Work on problem areas to prevent your grades from slipping.

If one of your strengths is academics, then it’s likely you’ll want to apply for a few merit-based, full-ride scholarships. Although each scholarship committee establishes their own criteria, in general, you’ll want to be in the top 10% of your class.

Even if you feel that an athletic or other type of scholarship suits you better, it’s still important to keep your grades up. Scholarship committees will often consider academic performance as one factor in their decision, even if it’s not the predominant factor.

By this point in your academic career, you probably already have a good idea of where your problem areas lie. Perhaps you struggle with history or math, for example. Pay particular attention in those classes, take copious notes, and ask the teacher for extra help after school. You could also explore tutoring options and form a study group with your friends.

5. Enroll in an SAT/ACT test prep program

You can enroll in an SAT/ACT test prep program as early as 9th grade, or even as early as 7th grade if you choose the Advanced Start test prep program from KD College Prep. Getting a good score on the SAT and ACT tests is important not only for college admissions, but also because it may help you obtain scholarship money. Scholarship committees may take a look at your scores in addition to your GPA and transcripts.

6. Take the PSAT/NMSQT test in 11th grade

Even if you decide to take the PSAT test earlier than 11th grade, you’ll definitely want to take the PSAT/NMSQT test this year, as well. When you take the test in 11th grade, you’ll be entered into the National Merit® Scholarship Program. In addition to potentially qualifying for National Merit awards, some schools offer full-ride scholarships to students who earn Finalist status. Other schools, such as the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Alabama, offer full-tuition scholarships to National Merit Finalists.

7. Use your summer breaks constructively

Summer breaks aren’t just fun. They’re also opportunities to make your future brighter. It can be tough to fit in everything you want to do during the school year, so use your summer breaks constructively. Take an enrichment class at the local library, perform community service, and get a part-time job that aligns with your career interests. All of these endeavors will look impressive on your scholarship applications.

Another constructive way to spend a summer break is to do something out of the ordinary. Talk to your parents about going on an eco-volunteer trip instead of the usual family vacation (volunteer to work on forest conservation projects in Madagascar or to rescue sea turtles in Australia or Costa Rica). Other ideas include learning how to rock climb, starting your own small business, or volunteering to work in a lab at a local college.

Doing something out of the ordinary can serve as great fodder for your scholarship application essays.

8. Follow the application instructions and plan ahead

Now that you’ve worked on creating an impressive body of work as a high school student, it’s time to submit the applications. Remember that each scholarship committee will request different documentation and establish their own processes for the application. Read the instructions carefully and follow them precisely.

It’s also important to plan ahead. You should know well in advance exactly which full-ride scholarships you’ll apply for and what sort of documentation they need. It can take some time to arrange all of the necessary paperwork (e.g. requesting letters of recommendation), so plan ahead.

9. Write a unique essay for each application

You should never copy and paste scholarship application essays. Committee members may be able to tell if your essay was originally written for a different application, with some minor tweaks made here and there. Always write a unique essay for each application in accordance with that scholarship’s essay prompt.

10. Practice your interview skills

Some full-ride scholarships require an interview. It’s a good idea to practice your interviewing skills with a parent, guidance counselor, or similar adult. You’ll want your unique personality to shine, but you’ll also want to be careful to avoid overly informal language. Be prepared to answer questions such as:

Why do you feel you’re a good candidate for this scholarship?
What do you plan to study?
What are your plans after college?

There will likely be some scholarship-specific questions, as well. For instance, if it’s a scholarship related to creative writing, you may be asked to discuss some of your favorite authors.

What Does a Full-Ride Scholarship Consist Of?

A full-ride scholarship is intended to cover all of your college expenses. These include tuition, room and board, books, and fees. Sometimes, full-ride scholarships even offer some coverage for living expenses.

What Are Some Factors That a Full-Ride Scholarship Can Be Based On?

A full-ride scholarship may be based on almost anything. They are commonly based on factors such as the following:

Academics (GPA, test scores, etc.)
Sports/Extracurriculars
Community Service
Leadership
Financial Need
City/County/State Residency
Heritage
Military Commitments

How Common Is a Full Ride?

Full-ride scholarships are highly competitive. From 2015 to 2016, one report demonstrated that only about 0.2% of students received $25,000 or more in scholarship aid. Only about 2% of student athletes receive scholarships, and only a small percentage of those scholarships are full ride. Although it may be difficult to win one, it’s not impossible. Don’t let the odds discourage you from trying your best to land a full-ride scholarship.

Need Help Preparing For College?

Remember that PSAT, SAT, and ACT test scores can influence your chances of obtaining scholarship money, and test prep programs just might make all the difference for your scores. College counseling can also help guide you through the entire college admissions process. Contact KD College Prep today to request a free consultation to learn more about our programs.

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“My favorite things about KD were the mirroring it had to actual test questions, the availability, and the relationships you built with all the teachers and advisors who made the process of... Read more...

Rishab P. – Class of 2021

“I want to thank both of you so very much for making this dream come true. When I first came to KD, I wanted to get a score of 1520 or above... So many people told me it would be impossible to reach my desired score. After months of using KD's methods my scores definitely improved but hovered around 1350—still not near the score I needed but closer. After finally working with both of you during one on ones, my scores started to see heavy improvement and while I didn't get a score of 1520 or above as a single score, I got it as a superscore... Read more...

“I want to thank both of you so very much for making this dream come true. When I first came to KD, I wanted to get a score of 1520 or... Read more...

David P. – Class of 2022

“It takes a village to raise a child—this is so true. KD College Prep staff have been nothing but uplifting to my child and to us parents through their eager attitudes to assist, in-depth guidance and unparalleled wisdom. I am in awe at the consistent level of professionalism yet genuine concern for each and every person that walks through their doors. Thank you KD staff for being great mentors for our children!”

“It takes a village to raise a child—this is so true. KD College Prep staff have been nothing but uplifting to my child and to us parents through their eager attitudes to assist, in-depth guidance and unparalleled wisdom. I am in... Read more...

Gloria D. – Daughter, Class of 2021

“I attended KD for the last 3 years, and I was blessed with the opportunity to take the SAT^® test one last time last month. I got a 1430 on the test. I wanted to take the time to say I have finished college applications, and I would love to thank all the teachers and aides at KD for giving me the score that I got on the test. Without the extra practice, I wouldn't have been able to get through to the score I got. These past 3 years went by so fast, and it is so fun to look back at where I started and how much I have come out with flying colors. Thank you so much!”

“I attended KD for the last 3 years, and I was blessed with the opportunity to take the SAT^® test one last time last month. I got a 1430 on the test. I wanted to take the time to say I... Read more...

Kareena A. – Class of 2021

“I just wanted to say thank you to KD for all the help and support you’ve given over the past couple years! I was able to get the scores I wanted for the PSAT, SAT^®, and ACT^® tests. The resources were very helpful, and the individualized assistance I received from teachers were what really supported my learning. Special thanks to Ms. Barwick and Mr. Hoffman!”

“I just wanted to say thank you to KD for all the help and support you’ve given over the past couple years! I was able to get the scores I wanted for the PSAT, SAT^®, and ACT^® tests. The resources were... Read more...

Advika R. – Class of 2022

“I shifted toward taking practice tests and going to workshops because I felt those were the best ways to apply the concepts (I was) learning in class. I started applying the tips and tricks that the teachers were showing me in class. In conjunction, those two things helped me raise my score a lot because I was not a math kid before KD or high school. The repetition and being able to practice in a non-stressful environment and simulating that testing experience is something that was very beneficial for me... “The college counseling team was super patient and honest about the work I was submitting. I know for a lot of kids, it’s hard to articulate who you are through 250-300 words. It was definitely... Read more...

“I shifted toward taking practice tests and going to workshops because I felt those were the best ways to apply the concepts (I was) learning in class. I started applying the tips and tricks that the teachers were showing me in... Read more...

Blaine W. – Class of 2021

“Both of my sons have been guided by KD College Prep counselor Steve Peifer on their journey to finding the right college for them, and we could not have had a better experience and outcome. My oldest son is now a rising junior at the University of Miami, and my youngest son is an incoming freshman at Vanderbilt University. Steve’s help in navigating the complicated college landscape and finding the BEST FIT for my two sons is what has made this resource invaluable. “What made the biggest difference for my two sons was the depth and breadth of knowledge Steve has of the many universities and colleges in the U.S. First, by getting to know my kids on a one-on-one basis, he was able to... Read more...

“Both of my sons have been guided by KD College Prep counselor Steve Peifer on their journey to finding the right college for them, and we could not have had a better experience and outcome. My oldest son is now a... Read more...

Julio M. – Parent

“My daughter loved the program—the program materials and the teachers both online and in person. She participated in a year of online and a year of in person. It was incredible enrichment and helped her keep her skills sharp over the summer. She liked being challenged academically, and she loved taking classes with high school students who were focused on their college goals. These students were also excellent role models! The lessons were especially important during the pandemic when it wasn’t a typical middle school experience.”

“My daughter loved the program—the program materials and the teachers both online and in person. She participated in a year of online and a year of in person. It was incredible enrichment and helped her keep her skills sharp over the... Read more...

Beth L. – Advanced Start™ Parent

“I wanted to say thank you to all of the teachers and directors at KD for helping me get a great score on the SAT^® test. I started with a 1250 on the first KD test I took, and I got a 1530 on the December 5th SAT test. KD played a huge role in this, and I just wanted to say thanks to everyone there for helping me achieve this.”

“I wanted to say thank you to all of the teachers and directors at KD for helping me get a great score on the SAT^® test. I started with a 1250 on the first KD test I took, and I got... Read more...

Vyom S. – Class of 2022

"Our twin 16-year-old boys used KD College Prep to study/practice for the PSAT test, and we believe the classes and coaching were invaluable. Very professional and concise. Worth every penny!"

Jerry – Sons, Class of 2022

“I'm writing to thank the KD team for all the help and guidance over the last couple of years! All the resources provided were very useful to me and helped me achieve the scores I was aiming for on the PSAT, SAT^®, and ACT^® tests (1520, 1580, and 34). I really appreciate everyone's willingness to be flexible and accommodate my requests!”

“I'm writing to thank the KD team for all the help and guidance over the last couple of years! All the resources provided were very useful to me and helped me achieve the scores I was aiming for on the PSAT,... Read more...

Mithra A. – Class of 2022

"The resources that KD offers have greatly prepared me for the college admissions process. Without KD, I would not have been this prepared and confident... I am a rising senior, and I ended up receiving a 1570 on my SAT^® test (third time) and a 35 on my ACT® test (first time). I remember the first ever practice test I took for the SAT test was a 1230 (about 1.5 yrs ago) and the first ever practice test I took for the ACT test was a 31 or 32 (about 6 months ago)."

"The resources that KD offers have greatly prepared me for the college admissions process. Without KD, I would not have been this prepared and confident... I am a rising senior, and I ended up receiving a 1570 on my SAT^® test... Read more...

Elise P. – Class of 2022

“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping both of my kids over the last years reach successful outcomes on their SAT^® and ACT^® scores, which helped them get into great colleges. I found the college prep class for parents very informative and helpful during the process as well. My son (Jacob) graduated in 2018 and got a 32 on the ACT test. got accepted into Texas A&M but chose Baylor for Health Sciences. My daughter (Morgan) graduated in 2020 and got a 1450 on the SAT test and a 32 on the ACT test. got into an Ivy League school (Cornell) for Engineering. Both my kids say that they apply the test taking skills they learned at KD Prep to... Read more...

“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping both of my kids over the last years reach successful outcomes on their SAT^® and ACT^® scores, which helped them get into great colleges. I found the college prep class for parents... Read more...

Jon D. – Parent

“Coming into this whole process, I had absolutely no idea what anything was, and your help was invaluable—your encouraging words, strategic advice, and wholesome stories and jokes really got me through a stressful time! I'm still on the waitlist at Harvard and other schools, but I've really started to immerse into the Emory culture, especially their debate team. Not having to pay for college and still attend a private institution is really a dream come true, and it wouldn't be possible if it were not for you.”

“Coming into this whole process, I had absolutely no idea what anything was, and your help was invaluable—your encouraging words, strategic advice, and wholesome stories and jokes really got me through a stressful time! I'm still on the waitlist at Harvard... Read more...

Shreyas R. – Class of 2020

“The most beneficial guidance I received during my College Counseling experience was being taught that it's completely ok to not know what I want to do with the rest of my life at 17/18 years old. Steve told me that a good school will help me find my path. Also, Steve's knowledge about what colleges were wanting to see in potential admissions candidates was a huge help... “There was not one specific beneficial moment or turning point in my time working with Steve, there were many. He encouraged me during the entire application process and brought to my attention many colleges I wouldn't have considered or heard about without his help.”

“The most beneficial guidance I received during my College Counseling experience was being taught that it's completely ok to not know what I want to do with the rest of my life at 17/18 years old. Steve told me that a... Read more...

Jake W. – Class of 2020

"I'm very happy my daughter chose KD as her learning partner to achieve her goals. All the experiences with KD and the Directors there are fabulous. My daughter has improved significantly."

Zarni, Daughter – Class of 2021

"I took KD classes the summer before my junior year, and I was finished with my SAT^® test by December...The test prep classes also helped me earn the award of National Merit^® Finalist."

Claire I. – Class of 2020

"It's been super helpful, and I've noticed my scores go up both on my SAT^®/ACT^® scores as well as test scores in school... Overall, I believe this to be the best college prep that money can buy."

Gopi C. – Class of 2021

"KD helped me come up with a game plan for the colleges I wanted to attend, as well as any backups, and how to manage my time during this stressful period. They helped to ease the stress and made sure that I would be successful in whichever college I picked, and I am eternally grateful for all their help and hard work!"

"KD helped me come up with a game plan for the colleges I wanted to attend, as well as any backups, and how to manage my time during this stressful period. They helped to ease the stress and made... Read more...

Omar S. – Class of 2020

"My initial goals when I first started working with the KD Counseling crew was to compile a list of colleges that I would be somewhat interested in attending and fit my career goals. I think that this step I was by far the most concerned about. I didn’t know how exactly I should go about choosing which places to apply to and if I were to be accepted, if they would fit me. The team did a wonderful job considering my likes and dislikes and helped me compile a list of colleges that suited my tastes and would further my academic career. "After this integral first step, my focus turned towards time management and writing quality essays that would stand out to colleges. I got... Read more...

"My initial goals when I first started working with the KD Counseling crew was to compile a list of colleges that I would be somewhat interested in attending and fit my career goals. I think that this step I was by... Read more...

Nina H. – Class of 2020

"I was thankful for all the help I received from KD in preparing for my SAT^® and ACT^® exams. The workshops they offered, as well as the practice exams, gave me the tools I needed to do my very best."

Morgan D. – Class of 2020

"KDCP is a must for students wanting to stay a step ahead of the game for getting into college. My son has gained huge insight from the ACT^®/SAT^® practice workshops, practice tests, and essay class."

Tiffany – Son, Class of 2021

"KD helped to increase the efficiencies of how I took the national exams. I was also able to implement these efficiencies in my daily school studies within the IB program at PESH. I would (and have) recommend KD to those students wanting an edge on their national test scores!"

"KD helped to increase the efficiencies of how I took the national exams. I was also able to implement these efficiencies in my daily school studies within the IB program at PESH. I would (and have) recommend KD to those students... Read more...

Daniel J. – Class of 2020

"Not only have I been able to significantly improve my test scores, I have learned a tremendous amount of information about the college application process due to complimentary events that KD offers."

Sam H. – Class of 2020

"I came to KD the summer before my senior year with only my determination and big goals! KD provided me with the resources necessary to improve my test score to increase my chances at my dream school, Notre Dame, with the help from amazing teachers and staff. I am so grateful for KD!"

"I came to KD the summer before my senior year with only my determination and big goals! KD provided me with the resources necessary to improve my test score to increase my chances at my dream school, Notre Dame, with the... Read more...

Matt K. – Class of 2020

"I started classes at KD the summer before 9th grade. I...made a perfect score on the PSAT (earning the National Merit^® scholarship) and, after taking the SAT^® test only once (a relief!), scored a 1590/1600."

Thomas D. – Class of 2019

"In just one year, I was able to raise my score by 300 points and get into my dream school."

Piper F. – Class of 2020

"Having our recent GHS graduate attend KD was life changing. It provided our son with choices and opportunities that he might not have had otherwise."

Kathy – Son attends Mizzou

“I came to KD College Prep after already using another tutoring service which we were not seeing results with. Due to time constraints, the traditional classes were not going to be feasible for my daughter. They took the time to figure out a personal plan that would work for her and were always available for our questions and helping her reach her goals. Every employee from the managers to the students working at their locations are top notch.”

“I came to KD College Prep after already using another tutoring service which we were not seeing results with. Due to time constraints, the traditional classes were not going to be feasible for my daughter. They took the time to figure... Read more...

Tracy – Daughter, Class of 2020

"The KD College Prep course not only provided test practice but also motivated her to work hard for her college applications. It gave her the confidence to dream big!"

Prema – Daughter attends Rice

10 Tips for Earning a Full-Ride Scholarship

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