My D got accepted with a very nice merit scholarship and a pretty good financial aid package, and is seriously considering attending Allegheny. The college seems to provide very good support, seems open and welcoming, and my D feels very comfortable there. But the total aid package is a little less generous than a couple other schools. Just wondering what others are thinking…
So lots have viewed this but no comments! Anybody considering whether to attend Allegheny in the fall? What do you like and what worries you? We like the intimate community, the support, the quality academics with environmental science particularly strong…
@Joan2021 I see you’re over at the Earlham forum also. My daughter is also looking at Earlham and Allegheny. Right now she prefers Allegheny but Earlham is much more doable financially for us. My daughter feels she would be happy at Earlham but Allegheny really clicked for her. She felt she fit in with the students, enjoyed the class she attended, thought there were interesting clubs and activities, and all the staff members were friendly and seemed really excited about her attending. We’re checking with Allegheny to see if they can improve her package.
Yes, I’m on multiple forums. In fact, now looking at Bard College too. (I know…very different from the other two!) Its financial aid package is also better than Allegheny’s. A couple of schools beat Allegheny by several thousand dollars a year. Don’t really think one could go wrong at Allegheny or Earlham, but we are waiting anxiously to see how Allegheny handles our request for increased aid.
Son has always had Allegheny among his top 3 choices. Problem is weighing it against his other top 2: Lawrence University (Wisc.) and Hobart and William Smith. He’s interested in history/philosophy and maybe minor in communications. Rows crew in a club and does theater for fun. Money is about equal. Any thoughts?
Seem like good choices, all three of them! I don’t know much about the other two. Allegheny is a great option. Good size, lots of choices for majors. Nice people. This is a tough decision for us too!
Wow, got the revised financial aid package today. Allegheny upped the aid by the amount we requested. It is a VERY attractive option. The choice seems to be between Allegheny, Earlham, and Kalamazoo College, with Bard hanging out there as an intriguing alternative. Countdown to decision time.
@Joan2021 Lucky you! Allegheny’ s response to us was “the financial aid package as it currently stands is the best Allegheny is able to offer” with Alllegheny being $6000 more a year than Earlham it is out of the picture. It’s sad because Allegheny was love at first sight for my daughter. She feels she can be happy at Earlham and she is still considering Beloit (3000 a year more than Earlham). I think she’ll wait until April 30th hoping someone will offer her a little more aid. I’m not expecting it but there is no harm in waiting.
I know that these colleges are following their institution’s own rules and standards when they make admissions and financial aid decisions, but to the applicants and their families, the whole process just seems random! Our family is STILL undecided. Almost painful. But all good…all the options are great ones!
Good luck with the decision making Joan2021. You are right, your daughter has great choices. You are also right about different rules and standards. We are lucky to have the choices we do. As much as my daughter loved Allegheny I think it was a little farther from home than she felt comfortable going so she may have not chosen it anyway.