<p>Pomona does not offer merit aid.</p>
<p>Add the women’s colleges to that list.</p>
<p>“So, to recap, LACs with great merit aid are: Pomona, Bowdoin, Whitman, Carleton, Vassar, Oberlin, Macalaster, Colorado College, Grinnell. Would anyone like to add anything or challenge this list?”</p>
<p>Add Knox and Beloit. They are at least as good a Colorado and Whitman and have fantastic aid programs.</p>
<p>If we’re allowing Knox and Beloit add Lawrence.</p>
<p>Bowdoin doesn’t offer merit aid. It meets 100% of all demonstrated need with grants, though.</p>
<p>Vassar doesn’t offer merit aid either.</p>
<p>Nor Carleton (other than National Merit Scholarships).</p>
<p>In the next few years I’d expect to see a good deal less merit aid in general given the hit to virtually all college endowments.</p>
<p>I would reconsider dropping Hamilton. In some ways, it is the most well-rounded and beautiful of all these colleges.</p>
<p>We looked and considered a lot of these colleges a couple of years back. First, let me say that the medical school admissions rates are deceptive because lots of kids who start out pre-med don’t make it. When you’re talking the top schools (Amherst, Williams, Pomona, Bowdoin), you are talking about top students-- students who work VERY HARD and are in courses that are curved. So please understand that all of these schools are good at pre-med-- but they are very hard schools even if students have ‘fun’ while they’re there. </p>
<p>That said… I want to point out a few things. Hamilton is a lovely school. There was a lot of individualized attention, students were athletic and outgoing, it is in a tiny town near a city. My kid ended up not going there but I have read that there are more drugs there (pot) than perhaps some of the other schools. </p>
<p>Vassar… very nice school. We were impressed, the gender ration may make it more attractive for men than women. Poughkeepsie is NOT a great town-- but it’s 2 hours from NYC and it is possible to go down for a weekend. We were also told that there are students who schedule classes M/W, T/R and do internships in the city (probably more common with liberal arts majors than science majors who have to fit in labs). </p>
<p>Bates… we saw signs of much drinking while we were there and our tour guide alluded to it. They have a senior thesis requirement. The town is not great but the kids were very outgoing. The cafeteria food was excellent (as was Bowdoin’s-- we were disappointed in Amherst’s food). Bates does take financial need into account. </p>
<p>By the way, I wouldn’t worry about a school being ranked #4 or #37. As a matter of fact, if you DON’T want to kill yourself studying, I would honestly suggest you not go for the top schools. There are plenty of very nice schools where the competition isn’t quite as high and they may be a better choice for someone who wants to balance life/ school.</p>
<p>So, OP, now that this thread is revived, where did you end up applying?</p>
<p>OK, I have questions about all of these… we’re looking for a school with strong academics (including political science, economics/business) and strong music theory/ composition classes that may be taken even if you aren’t majoring in music. My son doesn’t know whether he’ll major or minor in music but composing is important to him (and he’s an advanced violinist). Also, an interest in film scoring. Any idea about which of these colleges might offer all that but still be warm and friendly?
I understand Pomona has just one composition teacher, but that there are others at Harvey Mudd that he could take for variety.</p>
<p>Hamilton is a really cool school with smart and friendly students, great academics and an unparalleled and supportive alumni network (50% giveback). We were very impressed with the administration’s responsiveness in both admissions and financial aid. Besides its strong rankings and being part of the NESCAC, it’s got a gorgeous campus to boot: </p>
<p>Note:
[The</a> Most (Overlooked) Beautiful Campuses - Buildings & Grounds - The Chronicle of Higher Education](<a href=“http://chronicle.com/blogPost/The-Most-Overlooked/21809]The”>http://chronicle.com/blogPost/The-Most-Overlooked/21809)</p>
<p>No wonder it is considered a gem by those who have experienced it.</p>
<p>If you really want to be a medical student in the future, you might want to give up on the top LACs, because most of them don’t offer merit aid. And by the way, you won’t get it at HYP, either. If your EFC is high, you will end up paying full freight at either of them. What might make more sense is to go to either a lower ranked school that would really want you and give you a scholarship or a state school, because you’ve got a lot of years of incredibly expensive education to pay for. I do know someone who got a full ride to Syracuse, for instance. Aiming for a school that would really value you might get you some personalized attention, too.</p>
<p>Musicmama, check out Oberlin for a top notch conservatory in a LAC atmosphere. Williams is a great place for artsy kids.</p>
<p>What are the differences between Amherst and Carleton? I’m applying to transfer to both. I know they’re very similar but the only first hand experiences I have are from partying and Mock Trial at Amherst (I’m from Smith College) and one tour I took of Carleton.</p>