<p>What YOU think you need and what those LACs are going to think you need is not going to be the same thing. Need is based on family income and - as you acknowledge - you come from a middle-income family. The fact that your parents choose to invest in their retirement instead of your education will be viewed as a choice . . . and the schools are not going to fund you based on that choice. (I know that sounds harsh . . . but that’s just the way it is.)</p>
<p>The full need, no loan schools are NOT going to work for you. You need to focus on schools that will award you significant merit aid. Choosing carefully, you should be able to identify schools where your stat’s would qualify you for either full tuition or a free ride. That means finding schools where your stat’s are ABOVE the average for that school. (If you’re just average, why would they want to pay you to attend?)</p>
<p>If you have the stat’s to get into the top LACs that you mentioned, you should also be able to find the merit aid you need . . . although it won’t be at the same well known schools. But it can be done, you’ll end up with minimal (or no) debt, and med school will be significantly more manageable.</p>