<p>What is your major and how happy are you with your decision?</p>
<p>Can I open this up to anyone who has gotten a lot of merit aid, not necessarily National Merit aid, from a third-tier college? </p>
<p>Did your work ethic have an effect on your success or lack of success at the college?<br>
Would it have helped if you had had motivated peers on your intellectual level around you to keep you feeling challenged and interested?</p>
<p>You know, a lot of top tier schools offer full rides to national merit finalists. It isn't just "third tier schools"</p>
<p>I have a nice NMF based scholarship from the Ohio State University.</p>
<p>1) I'm double majoring in Political Science and French. I might change PoliSci to Arabic.
2) I think my choice to take the scholarship is the best decision I've ever made. The majority of my friends go to very expensive private schools, and though they're happy some also complain about the cost and the pressure that comes with it. One of my friends has had to turn down some cool volunteer and internship opportunities in favor of finding a minimum wage job - I don't envy her that. I have the opportunity to study abroad multiple times (many of my friends can't) and I will be able to go to law school without worrying too much about the cost. Going to a school you love for not much money is a very, very nice feeling.</p>
<p>I would probably feel differently if I didn't like my school - maybe I'd be more resentful or jealous of others' opportunities. OSU wasn't my first choice but now I realize it offers much more than some of the private LACs I was considering (many more languages and majors, a broader range of classes, and better research opportunities, specifically.) I'm not advising that everyone go to the cheapest school they can no matter what, but at the same time I'm glad I didn't listen to the prestige-snobs at my high school. They were just foolish.</p>
<p>Pplprsn - I have a developed a better work ethic and I feel I've been very successful at college. I don't understand your second question - I had such peers in high school (went to a competitive one) and have them also in college. I do feel challenged and interested. Are you asking in the case of people who haven't done well in college?</p>
<p>I'm so sorry to have offended anyone. I didn't try to correlate universities offering 'almost free rides' to what tier they were. I picked up that line about 3rd tier (and 4th tier) offering good merit aid from another post, and just got the impression that higher tiered schools than that WOULD NOT BE OFFERING almost full-ride merit aid. Forgive me it I'm wrong--and please, tell me which universities are these? I'm still in my scouting around stage and need all the pointers I can get. </p>
<p>Sorry I wasn't clear in my post. I was trying to be succinct. My rising senior D just doesn't have a particularly good work ethic yet. It's developing, but slowly. I also know that, at this time, she will only work to the level demanded of her, unfortunately. That is why it is important she go to a college that is rigorous. Whether we can find a university as rigorous as the Ivy Leagues offering an almost full-ride is I guess really my question. They are out there, but I just want to identify the right ones.</p>
<p>Thanks to those who responded. Sorry I wasn't clear.</p>
<p>didnt get a free ride, but i got 3000 a year for Uchicago for being a NMF</p>