<p>Bob, colleges use their waitlists to find the students who meet their needs -- not to help out deserving students. So while it is important to let Brandeis know of your continued desire to attend, whether or not they select you is going to be dependent on what their internal numbers are telling them as of May 2. Is their financial aid budget overextended? Then they are going to be looking for full payers. Have their diversity goals been met? If not, then they are going to be looking for those who will help meet those goals. </p>
<p>I think you need to try to stop looking it as if you have to "settle" -- all of the colleges you applied to were initially selected for a good reason -- they didn't suddenly turn into bad colleges because you have been turned down by your #1 choice. Try to rediscover what appealed to you in the first place. </p>
<p>If your parents can afford to send you there, then Vassar is an excellent choice for what you want. </p>
<p>If the money is still a problem, then I think Skidmore or Sarah Lawrence look like the best options among those that accept the tuition exchange. I think you do deserve an answer one way or the other on the money from your parents ASAP -- I think there are some times when a straight "no" is a lot better than a "maybe", so try to get your parents to see that you have 10 days to make a decision and need a clear answer from them on the finances.</p>
<p>Something else to keep in mind is that the parents only have both kids in school at the same time for two years, so their EFC is going to be higher again after Bob graduates and younger brother has two years left. Selling off a car to meet tuition would not be an option for us. Does that mean doing without a car or selling and then buying a cheaper car?</p>
<p>Bob, I wouldn't rule out SUNY Binghamton too quickly. It is a very different place, both socially and intellectually, than the University of Delaware. It fits most of your criteria quite well, right down to the Hillel (<a href="http://sa.binghamton.edu/%7Ehillel/)%5B/url%5D">http://sa.binghamton.edu/~hillel/)</a>, and, in some ways, you might find it more similar to Brandeis than Sarah Lawrence or Skidmore.</p>
<p>My very bright and talented (NMF, Girl Scout Gold Award-winning) niece chose American University over Tufts because she was given a large merit scholarship to AU. I was a bit concerned because I thought AU had a reputation as a party school and that she would not be adequately challenged there. She is about to graduate with a degree in IR and has had a very positive experience; took very difficult language courses, studied in Poland, and had great internships. I am not just sharing this as a plug for AU but for my belief that you can seek and find intellectual challenge at any school on your list.</p>
<p>Hi Hopeful,
You have some great choices, but I just thought I would weigh in on the University of Delaware, based on my older S's personal experiences. As an Honors student, I think you would have the opportunity for a lot of personal interaction with professors. S definitely got to know profs much better than nephews at small LACs, such as Williams and Union. They were very supportive in providing recommendations for grad programs, scholarships, etc. He went on to the University of Cambridge, UK for a master's degree, and is now at U Penn Law (with a scholarship). We have also met many of the professors ourselves, the President, deans, and had coffee, etc. with them. S's fellow alum (also Honors program) are also doing very well in grad schools, med schools, careers, etc. He made great friends there, very bright, thoughtful and ambitious. I went through the SUNY system, and have a relative who is an associate dean at another SUNY, and did not find it comparable. UD is not really a public university (it's private, with state support) and the bureacracy, red tape, etc. seem less onerous than SUNY schools. Also, alumni are a more cohesive group at UD. I think your choices are really between liberal arts colleges and universities, but if you're still considering Binghamton, you might not want to rule out Delaware. With the cost being low, it also allows more funds for grad school, study abroad, etc. Just a personal comment--take it for what it's worth!</p>
<p>Yes, we visited UDel twice; I liked it, but D didn't. The area around UDel, Newark, is not very appealing - but you need to look beyond that. UDel is a great school with lots to offer bright students!</p>
<p>I can give you some insight into Vassar based upon your criteria:</p>
<p>make me work very hard, but would allow me to do very well - You will work hard; it is a challenging school; if they accepted you they must think you will do fine
have courses in every field since I’m mostly undecided - Vassar has a great liberal arts program with a great deal of choice and few requirements; I would not say it is known for international relations
have politically oriented students - Not as much as one would think; It does, however, have an extremely liberal and accepting student body
have great, caring, approachable professors - Yes, absolutely!
be 2-4 hours away from home (I live in Westchester, NY) - Marite is right, when you are "away" you are away.
have an active Hillel that wouldnt turn me into an orthodox Jew - The Bayit is small; some students are very involved - it's what you make of it - it is not Orthodox oriented at all
Hebrew courses and study abroad programs - They have a good Judaic Studies department and totally encourage Junior Year or a semester abroad
have a diverse student body - more diverse than some, not as diverse as others - a nice sized international student body
have small classes - Yes, totally
have little drinking/partying - More than Brandeis - my understanding is that there is no pressure but drinking/partying does certainly exist - no Greek life/sports drinking scene though
be close to, but not necessarily in a nice, large town - Though they bill it as a train ride away from NYC - it's not like being just outside Boston - Poughkeepsie is not a nice college town; however, Vassar is very much a bubble (beautiful) campus with no shortage of things to do</p>
<p>After visiting Brandeis and Vassar several times, my son found the student body at Vassar to be much happier than that of Brandeis; the people he ate lunch with at Brandeis were complaining about the lack of student-based social activities on campus. He's yet to find a person who's not happy at Vassar. He also has friends who absolutely love GW, Delaware, and NYU. And, yes, a friend who loves Brandeis.</p>
<p>Basically, you can't go wrong with the terrific choices you have.</p>
<p>also got waitlisted to Brandeis, among others. Very tough selection process. Accepted in UDelaware Honors. Strong honors college with an exceptionally friendly student body and nice college town. i also received a very nice scholarship making it competitive with other schools. I would consider Delaware</p>
<p>I spoke with my guidance counselor today and we are leaning towards Skidmore. Another problem has come up though. In order for me to receive the tuition exchange money to any of the schools, I would need to tell my mom's college by May first. They give four tuition exchange scholarships each year and need to know that I would commit to it so that I'm not wasting someone elses slot.</p>
<p>Hopefulbob,
Based on the list of colleges you're talking about, I am assuming this is the Tuition Exchange Program you're talking about: <a href="http://www.tuitionexchange.org/apply.cfm%5B/url%5D">http://www.tuitionexchange.org/apply.cfm</a> I know that we have several faculty members who are probably well-versed in how these programs work, but based on what is indicated in this information, and my admittedly limited knowledge of how they work from other sources, here are my thoughts:</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with accepting a place at one college, while remaining on the waitlist of another. </p>
<p>If you get into Brandeis, you can still go to there (assuming your parents agree).</p>
<p>You will, perhaps, be taking one of the "scholarships" that someone else might have used to attend Skidmore, but on the other hand, if someone in the program still decides to attend Skidmore, it looks like the scholarship will be reassigned to them if you decide not to attend.</p>
<p>This is no different, in my opinion, than agreeing to attend a college that offers you a merit scholarship, while waiting to hear about the waitlist at another school. I don't think any one here would say that a student would be obligated to attend the merit scholarship school if the dream college called you off the waitlist.</p>
<p>Do double check on whether there would be any sort of financial penalty to your family, but I doubt there will be.</p>
<p>Plans change all the time when waitlists are involved. Colleges know this, and, in fact, one of the reasons why so many schools have waitlists is they know a certain percentage of kids who say they'll attend will change their minds over the summer.</p>
<p>Delaware Honors I feel. Best bang for your buck and you'll be in the honors program on a beautiful campus. It feels like a private college because 2/3 students are from out of state. It seems like a great fit for you.</p>
<p>I sent in my deposit to Skidmore a few days ago. Today I called Brandeis to tell them I wanted to be removed from their waitlist, but first I thought I'd give it once last chance. I asked to speak to the dean of admissions and he accepted me. He said 500 people asked to stay on the waitlist and that if I could accept by tomorrow, he could offer me admission. My parents still say they need money, and so it looks like I'm going to Skidmore. They say that if I really don't like it there, I can transfer to Brandeis. I am trying to accept this, but it's hard. Any last thoughts? Again, thanks to everyone for some great advice. I thought I would just update this post and that maybe it could help others.</p>
<p>While I don't know anyone personally who attends Skidmore, it seems like a great choice which offers much of what you are looking for. Saratoga Springs is a terrific town. It appears that their Hillel has a lot to offer. And though Skidmore may seem to be artsy, Vassar has the same reputation, yet there are lots of people there who are not artsy at all. </p>
<p>There's a big difference between $24,000 and $40,000. Selling a car, no matter how expensive it is, is not going to make up that difference over four years.</p>
<p>Brandeis has been less than generous with their Jewish students over the past couple of years. Skidmore is happy to have you join their community.</p>
<p>It appears that your parents are compromising in that they are not insisting that you attend Delaware or Binghamton and are willing to pay for a terrific private school, albeit not Brandeis. </p>
<p>If you are really unhappy, perhaps you can speak to your parents one last time tonight. However, if you do attend Skidmore, you will likely be very pleasantly surprised at how happy you will be there. Many, many people do not land at their "first choice" school and never look back. </p>
<p>College is what you make of it. Look for friends with common interests, join Hillel, work hard and enjoy the small classes. A positive attitude goes a long way.</p>
<p>My parents still say they need money, and so it looks like I'm going to Skidmore. They say that if I really don't like it there, I can transfer to Brandeis.>></p>
<p>Bob. Don't give up so easily. Call the director of admissions back and tell him about the money issue. Tell him you REALLY want to go to Brandeis. Ask if there is anything they can do to make your dream reality. </p>
<p>Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You've come this far. Don't give up without a fight. If you still end up at Skidmore, at least you'll know you've done everything you could.</p>
<p>It doesn't sound like it's a financial aid issue that Brandeis is likely to reconsider. Apparently, Skidmore participates in the Tuition Exchange Program and Brandeis does not. </p>