I’m thinking “resident assistant” because that usually comes with some sort of compensation in the housing area. @tsbna44 can clarify.
Research assistants at the undergrad level are often unpaid positions.
But I will say…if this student isn’t picky, they should be able to get a job of some sort for 10-12 hours a week that will help with discretionary spending, and maybe books.
My daughter has a similar profile and we too are full pay and merit hunting. I did the same thing - threw in too many safeties in a panic. But my daughter is a serial procrastinator so she didn’t research until crunch time. I did all the research and kind of narrowed the field down initially, so there are several (Trinity and TCU included) where she applied but really has no interest. So, I get it! We are in NC though and she too wants a unique experience so she’s fixated on California. She ended up applying to 18 schools but now we know she should’ve been at about 11.
We looked at Vanderbilt and it wasn’t what we expected. She isn’t a partier either and the Nashville scene was just too much for her. Her friend felt the same way. The campus was very quiet - we saw a couple students throwing a football but that was it. Whereas at Belmont, on the same beautiful day, there were students all laying out on the quad socializing, playing spike ball etc. It was a striking difference and just struck us as odd. Vanderbilt itself was really quiet but Nashville was too wild for her.
I know people who have loved UNC Wilmington but we just couldn’t get a handle on its personality, if that makes sense. It too just seemed boring. My daughter isn’t into the big football or party scene but she wants a smart but active vibe, if that makes sense.
She’s gotten accepted to 10/10 so far but six of the remaining ones are of strong interest and a total crapshoot like your remaining ones are. Thankfully she’s happy with a couple of the ones already in hand.
Best of luck to you and yours!!
I too am wondering @OK_tx did you mean Research Assistant when you said RA?
Undergrad Research is a little harder to come by. I know UNC-Asheville offers undergrads the opportunity to do research because that was a big point on our tour there.
I think UNCW is a bit of a party school.
And I agree you want to focus on the grad school for Psych. My sister is a clinical psychologist and has taught at the graduate level also.
Edit- @CUandUCmom and others put out a likely correction and if so all the RA talk is not relevant!! Oops
Agreed. And all don’t pay room and board anymore. My daughter’s college is half room rent only.
I was just simply answering the comment that said a school…I think tufts but I can’t find the comment…that a specific school was in focus because they allow 2nd years to RA.
I know the odds at any school aren’t great. Lots of competition. But I wasn’t responding to that. Just that sophomores can be.
@tsbna44 and we all wonder….did you mean RA to be resident assistant or research assistant. Please clarify.
This was my point saying if you can’t afford full pay, how do you know you have no need.
Obviously OP knows her finances but I’m just giving the nudge to, if there’s still time, why not put in for aid….especially if you did FAFSA and CSS already. At some of the schools, only IDOC will be left.
While we don’t know OP finances abd I hope everyone in life is super wealthy, one just never knows.
It does appear though that OP just doesn’t see the value in spending so much from current funds vs the ability to do do.
Of course it’s all a personal choice.
Ohhhhhhhhhh. Thank you for this.
I think your daughter will get into more schools on her list. But aren’t Syracuse and Tulane known for partying? I understand that there will always be the opportunity to find a group that doesn’t want that, but what is the vibe at the school? Did you visit?
I think I would have suggested Clark in Massachusetts- tops in psychology and opportunity to get a free master’s degree in the fifth year. They are very much into community service and work closely with the local schools. They give merit.
Best luck to your daughter— I don’t think you need to panic!
I would take a look at Arizona State - my high stat son (4.6 GPA 33 ACT…) attends the Barrett Honors college there and will graduate this spring in 3 years (likely Summa Cum Laude)because of his AP/IB credits. He received the highest scholarship which brings his COE to approx $33/year over 3 years - excellent value IMO! Also it is a huge school with so many opportunities and flexibility in changing majors if necessary. It was at the bottom of the list and he had no plans to attend ASU but unfortunately he did not get in to his dream schools in CA (don’t get me started on that lol). His girlfriend attends UCLA and will likely take 5 years to graduate (and there is plenty of partying there - trust me it’s everywhere if you look for it!). My daughter (senior in high school) has also been accepted to ASU/Barrett this year with same scholarship so it is in the running for her too. This is a wild unpredictable ride, this year perhaps even more so unfortunately!
I like Tufts. Most Jumbos seemed very happy on campus when we visited. That said, I can’t see what you are buying other than a bumper sticker based on the career path your daughter wants to follow. It just makes zero financial sense. It’s why our son didn’t apply.
Unfortunately, and I’m not saying anything you don’t already know, but by letting her apply to Tufts, you’ve placed both of you in a very awkward position. The very best thing that can happen is that she gets rejected. If she gets in, then you have to face telling her no, or taking out an unnecessary, crushing amount of leverage. I’d start that conversation now.
Good luck!
OP believes she can pay in full so why would she have to tell her daughter no? She has significant cash available and can pay the remainder by taking out loans and paying them off in a few years. No one is going to be saddled with long-term debt. As for ROI, a close relative of mine made a very successful living, first as a school psychologist and then as an administrator.
University of Minnesota-regular application deadline has passed but they’re still accepting applications, and she still might be able to get some merit aid. It’s on several lists I found for strength in child development/psychology, but perhaps its location is in too big of a city for you daughter’s preference.
University of Kansas - still accepting applications but it appears as though there was a December 1 deadline for scholarships. But perhaps they might be flexible there? This is another one that made many child development/psychology lists, and Lawrence, KS is not a big city.
SUNY Binghamton was mentioned upthread as another option.
But I think you have some great acceptances already that fit well within your budget (and hope all is going well this morning in San Antonio!). I think that visiting those campuses and and doing additional research on what life is like at each one sounds like a good idea.
ETA: All 3 of those are going to fall within your $50k budget even if no merit aid is received freshman year.
KU tuition only $27k.
She can only pay for Tufts with significant leverage. Not wise.
I’m not saying that her career path is a bad one. I’m saying that paying $200k more for Tufts won’t offer any material advantage for what she wants to do.
She didn’t ask about affordability. She asked about chances to those schools. As the mom of a political science major I am not in the camp that the only kids that deserve full pay are engineering majors. 
Yes but the conversation turned to affordability…yea I often move it there …and OP did allow the shift.
@eyemgh always has great perspective and it’s fine to add.
You disagree and that’s ok too as your perspective is valid as well.
In the end giving OP info to make a coherent decision is what matters.
She will ultimately decide what to do.
Re Kansas, my high stats D22 from Texas really likes KU as her primary safety. She’s been admitted to honors with auto merit that gives her instate tuition. Our cost would be around 22-24k all in, so cheaper than UT. Not sure why KU doesn’t get more love - Lawrence is a great town, big school spirit, big enough to offer plenty of academic options and extracurriculars but with a community feel. Great school.
Vanderbilt does not require CSS. Both of our kids applied and we didn’t fill out FAFSA or CSS.
Since Midd is a top contender for her, did she reach out to the track coach and show interest? Have you looked at D3 times and if she could walk on? Even without being recruited, having times good enough to walk on and reaching out to a coach might tip the balance. Too bad she didn’t apply ED if it was her first choice. Possible walk on, strong SAT, from TX so brings geographical diversity - it could have maybe been one and done for you guys.
It’s got a well know honors school too.
I think selectivity is the reason. Also, bad football never helps any school in a big athletic conference. Unfortunately for KU, in the grand scheme of things, football is far more important than hoops.
There’s a lot of east to get into schools that are great. KU is one.
According to Vandy they do.
You could apply without. You could get merit without. But you won’t get need based aid. Btw they are also an IDOC school.
Is your experience otherwise ?