<p>So I'm a junior in high school. I have good ECs, perfect grades, and high test scores.
I plan on applying EDII to Vanderbilt University. If I get in, I'm pretty much guaranteed a full scholarship from my county. The thing is, Vandy has about a 16% acceptance rate and their applicant pool grows larger and stronger every year. So, while I do have high hopes, I'm not totally placing my heart there.
Before I decided on VU, MHC was my first choice. It's a perfect fit for me.
Basically, what I'm asking is, with a score in the 31-34 bracket, would MHC be a safety for me?
Another question is about FA. I need a good bit. Income is around 90-100k, I think. So how's that for me? Scholarships possibly?</p>
<p>To put it simply, with an income hovering around 90-100k, I would not be so quick to apply ED. It is true that you can be released from binding agreements, but the likelihood is most schools won’t give you the aid you need. Mount Holyoke is not a “safety” at all. The reason MHC has a high acceptance rate is because the applicant pool is very competitive. Only people who truly research colleges know about a school like Mount Holyoke. I mean - how much MHC (or any women’s college) propaganda do you really see? None… you can assume then that the people applying are those who really are invested in their futures. If you rank high enough (and have exciting extracurriculars on your resume), you could probably be a contender for the 21st Century Scholarship. A school like MHC is more likely to offer you the need because it is a smaller school… the application process really is about the individual and not the numbers.</p>
<p>And if what you’re looking for is a safety school that can offer you the aid you need, look at Berea College. </p>
<p>Schools CLAIM to meet 100% of need, but they meet 100% of the need that they assume you have - not 100% of the need you actually have. A person with a 100k income might very well be expected to pay tuition at some colleges. Your best bet is to look at schools with generous scholarship options…</p>
<p>Nikki, you’ll need more research before assuming anything about finaid. </p>
<p>Go to finaid.org and learn the ropes. Scour MHC’s finaid web info for their descriptions- and use their Net Price Calculator. Many parents on CC have found that “meet full need” schools can still be quite generous at the 100k earnings level- and women’s colleges are eager to attract students. What can impact your own specific situation is your family’s assets- home equity, savings, investments (but not retirement,) any college fund plans (eg,529) that your family or you have, etc. Read the info and run several samples for your family details.</p>
<p>Most colleges determine your “need” by their own formulas- they don’t “assume.” They use the Fafsa info you will submit and often the CSS Profile info. Get some knowledge of finaid in general. Be sure you understand what your parents think they can manage. Good luck. And yes, I think you are in-range for MHC.</p>
<p>High acceptance rate because students are self-selecting. Half the population (males) aren’t even eligible to apply, and those who can’t see themselves at a women’s college don’t apply either. D had to determine whether or not MHC fit her, AND whether she fit MHC. Both were yes, and she’s having a great experience.</p>
<p>Don’t underestimate the 5 college consortium. Lots of boys around. Amherst and Northampton are very cool college towns.</p>
<p>Thank you for the responses!
A little update, I’ve decided against Vanderbilt because for one it’s too close to home and for two it’s not a great fit for me personally. I’m now considering ED to Barnard or MHC.
I’ve heard many say that Moho girls are very friendly. That’s kind of a big deal to me because I’m from the south and although I’m not at all “southern” I do appreciate the hospitality. So what I’m asking is, are the girls legitimately friendly?</p>
<p>nikkiib-- Friendly? I’m certain that the women at Mount Holyoke are “friendly.” Hey,
you are probably friendly. Smile, engage and state your point of view at the school
you attend. In general, people are “friendly”, you just need to initiate a little putting
your best foot forward. My daughter was accepted at Mount Holyoke this year and she
is “friendly.” The SMILE is a big key! Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Just my .02 David</p>
<p>When I drop my daughter off at school approx 50% of the time I remind her to “smile at all the teachers.”</p>
<p>Nikki, I’m a senior at MHC and overall, I find people here very genuine and friendly and also very very approachable! The same is to be said for professors and staff. I feel like there’s a very strong sense of community and students are very involved in activities both on and off campus and we generally really care about what our campus and the student body.</p>
<p>Hi Nikkiib, MHC is definitely not a safety school. My daughter has a very high GPA and SAT score and was accepted at Purdue’s School of Engineering (ranked top 10 in the nation) as well as Carnegie Mellon and Smith. She is selecting MHC however because of the incredible alumni who have graduated from MHC. These women quietly go on to become some of the most successful Corporate Attorneys, CEO’s, CFO’s, etc. in the nation. </p>
<p>First off is the benefit of a women’s college over coed. Women’s colleges create leaders, not by focused & deliberate means, but by providing more opportunities to speak up, become involved, no fading into the walls here! And what drew my daughter to MHC out of all the other women’s colleges was the sheer friendliness of everyone. The alumni are incredible & crawl out of the woodworks to help once they know you’re interested in MHC. My daughter is still expecting an academic challenge and through the Nexus program, can still pursue a minor in Engineering. But most importantly she feels she will have an overall positive and happy college experience while still obtaining a degree from a reputable ad challenging school.</p>
<p>I agree with post #2. You are bound by your decision in ED, and if you KNOW you are reliant on good financial aid to meet the cost, you should not apply ED.</p>
The same is to be said for professors and staff. I feel like there’s a very strong sense of community and students are very involved in activities both on and off campus and we generally really care about what our campus and the student body.</p>