<p>^^^</p>
<p>My nephew with high stats, excellent ECs, strong community and academic leadership and achievements, received ZILCH from Vandy.</p>
<p>Don’t believe that quote at all. Vandy uses those scholarships to steal desirable ivy quality students from ivy schools.</p>
<p>*I could take those tests again anyway, I ust don’t think that would make the difference in getting scholarships. *</p>
<p>Tell them that your parents have an income just under $100K but they have assets close to $1million and want to know how the school will see it.</p>
<p>Isn’t your family income about $120k with lots of assets? If so, I think you will find that your family will not qualify for much aid. You need to find out.</p>
<p>"think now I’m just going to apply to reach/match schools I love and a few of these scholarships, and chances are I’ll end up with at least one place to look forward to going to. "</p>
<p>That could prove to be horribly short-sighted. This forum has many sad stories of kids getting very high “expected family contributions” in the spring of senior year and not having any financial safety schools.</p>
<p>You can “hope for the best,” but protect yourself and include some affordable schools- like Purdue (likely $16k in merit) and a few others that will give you assured merit.</p>
<p>Also, don’t assume that you won’t like a school or its students.</p>