<p>curmudgeon-Of the schools I mentioned, just Tulane and Case offer merit based on SAT scores. I do not know if Tulane has the information specifically on the web site, but they do have that information in one of their pieces of literature regarding SAT scores needed for certain levels of awards, and we did find it to be valid. Case has their criteria for awards, in terms of SAT scores, on the web site, if I remember correctly from the application era. We did find that the scores we read that earned certain scholarships was valid.</p>
<p>Emory Scholars and Vandie scholarships are not determined by SAT only.</p>
<p>Calmom ~ your argument is completely valid in the manner you have explained it, and with your assumptions. Now what would be the situation if you got an equivalent job in St. Louis and moved to a working class neighborhood there? Or to Pittsburgh (my current locale)?</p>
<p>I don't defned the FA system (who can?), but the FA system premise seems to be that all of our middle-class assets are up for grabs, and we should expect to pay amounts that reduce net worth very significantly. Given this, why wouldn't this system expect each of us to move from the highest-cost real estate markets in the country to the lowest cost markets in order to finance our children's education?</p>
<p>Once we've accepted that no sacrifice is too great, then, well, no sacrifice is too great, if you get my poorly worded meaning...</p>
<p>jax and curmudgeon - I, too, had heard that Tulane's merit aid is SAT-based only (and that invitation to Honors College is GPA-based only). Our experience seemed to controvert that. For the record:</p>
<p>S=SAT1310, SATII's mercifully forgotten as not at all impressive
GPA 94uw/122w
Just on the cusp of top 10% in a very competitive class (will probably be just below that, maybe the next kid in line)
S received the DSA of $22K/year (a wonderful merit award, as it requires a reasonable 2.7GPA to renew each year)
S was also invited to Honors College</p>
<p>Another cc mom told me S is the only "below 1350" DSA she has heard of at Tulane. We did not expect him to receive it either. S did not plan for apply for the DHS (full tuition), as published info indicates the "typical" recipient is 1450 and top 5%. Tulane's Dean wrote and encouraged him to apply. DHS is the only one which requires a separate app and a project submittal. S, thus, did apply. He eventually did not receive that one, but we don't mind. :) DSA is just ducky with us.</p>
<p>So: it clearly is not always just pure stats. Guesses as to S reason for receiving: Geography? very nice essay; a very well-crafted app as often described here on cc - really painted a picture of him (btw, all done on commonapp, no additional resume) altho there was a modest Tulane supplement; very, very good recs I have been told (did not see them). Just guesses, as I said.</p>
<p>Also, curmudge: a healthy % of admitted Tulane students receive these merit awards. I believe, not sure, that about 10-15% of admittteds receive the DSA; a similar % the Founders (around $16K??). 100 receive the DHS(full tuition). There are additional merit award for several categories of La. residents and urban residents. Can we hope for mudgie to apply? I would like to square-dance with you at Parent Weekend 06.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Once we've accepted that no sacrifice is too great, then, well, no sacrifice is too great, if you get my poorly worded meaning...
[/quote]
I get it reasonabledad. </p>
<p>After reading the article from the Philadelphia newspaper posted in another thread, and adding it to this cauldron - I'm left with the feeling that somehow the spiral of tuition costs has to stop. But will it ever? </p>
<p>If only we all could decide, en masse, that some sacrifices were truly too great - and not allow our beloved children to apply to colleges we can't afford. This seems much easier said than done for most who are ever hoping for the golden ring - be it financial aid or merit aid.</p>
<p>BLUMINI ~ My personal hobby horse is to set up government-sponsored loans for 100% of the cost of college for any kid who gets accepted and wants to enroll in college, with strong rules to require repayment. Also, require evey kid to really understand what he is buying when he enrolls...what will his job prospects be, likely salary, historical chances to get into grad school, loan repayments, effect on future monthly budgets...show it all to them.</p>
<p>This would create pressure on the kids, and soon on the parents and the colleges, to hold total costs in line. It would also even out some inequities in the system now.</p>
<p>This is a partial solution at best.</p>
<p>If we don't do this, next we'll be adding the "potential inheritance factor" from the grandparents into the EFC...or raising EFC for kids whose "profile" shows a strong chance of attending graduate or professional school, and hence of making more $.</p>
<p>Or here's another thought. all us with home equity in expensive places move along with our kids to their new college town. I'd guess three quarters of the really good schools are in low cost rural areas: Williamstown, Ithica, Hanover, Providence to name a few, and there are even low cost slums in Hew Haven!</p>
<p>zagat, you may not have been in the area lately; I wouldn't call Providence a "low cost rural area"! People who can't afford Massachusetts are flocking to Rhode Island and commute to Boston - prices there are now going crazy too.</p>
<p>I know Providence is not cheap, but is there any area with run down, tiny homes where the average home prive is $700K? That's what Californians are facing in many areas!</p>
<p>ya know if that is what I was facing in CA- I would get the heck out of Dodge- there are jobs in other areas- what is it about CA that makes paying that kind of money for a shack worth it?</p>
<p>There are other strategies that can come in to play without totally selling your home or jeopardizing your future retirement. Many of you CC old-timers know these but for the new lurkers, here are a few - and I know other CC'ers can add more:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Select schools with savvy - apply to schools that seek/recruit students from different geographically areas, minority groups, public or private school backgrounds. East Coasters look to the south and mid-west, etc..</p></li>
<li><p>Do the research early (while your D or S) is still in middle school.... - if certain colleges/uni's are focused -- not just on sports -- but on criteria such as community service, foreign language capability, etc. get your child injvolved in these areas as well. Or find the schools that would appreciate their special talents. Not only will this help them in perhaps getting in, but they might also be rewarded with merit aid/scholarship money.</p></li>
<li><p>I read somewhere that certain sports scholarship quota's are never filled -- such as bowling and golf. Get your child involved early on in a sport - and not necessarily soccer or football (which everyone does...) Lacrosse is big in our region and hundreds of kids get full or partial rides each year to various schools. Water polo and sailing are also big and numerous kids move on to top schools on full/partial rides with these as well. </p></li>
<li><p>Don't thumb your nose at the local community college. The one in our area is superb. I spent a semester there in between LAC's and it turned out to be the best learning experience I had in twelve years of undergrad and grad. ed. - sure there are slackers there but there are also many fine students who are earning their way through school. Take as many courses as you can take there that will transfer over to your undergrad degree - then transfer. Several of my S's friends transferred into JHopkins and even got money because they were Md. residents and had high college GPA's.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Even though we didn't play the real estate game well, we could unlock some equity by moving. I'm game for moving, but my H is picky about his job . . . he has been interviewing in other states though . . . my main complaint is the public school system here . . .other than that, it is kinda nice here . . .</p>
<p>Eemerald, I couldn't agree more. I look at doctors, nurses, teachers, etc. who could make the same salary many places where their quality of life would be so much better. All this money for a little sunshine? Head to Arizona or New Mexico! </p>
<p>Others of us have jobs that we can only do here or in other high cost of living places like NYC.</p>
<p>If everyone from CA or other high priced places flocked to the lower cost areas they wouldn't be lower cost for long. The mass CA exodus to Oregon several years ago proved that! LOL!</p>
<p>Another thing to consider is that salaries do not transfer. A teacher making $40,000 a yr in CA might make $20,000 a yr elsewhere making the move less appealing even if houses are cheaper.</p>
<p>I'd be in shock if anyone suggest people should move to finance a child's college education. Where you live your life is just as much about 'fit' as where you should attend college...and it's not just for 4 years! I'm 3rd generation CA and leaving is out of the question for more reasons than I can list. Fortunately, we have great choices when it comes to college. I've always told my kids they can go to any public college/university in the state because I know we can afford it and they will find one that fits them to a "T". If they want something different they are on their own, and I feel no guilt about that.</p>
<p>I'm not sure - I think it is somewhere in the Pacific West? </p>
<p>I'm thinking we could start a whole new thread - one that sniffs out the esoteric and obscure at different colleges that might provide scholarships to students...bowling? fencing? archaeology (UPenn is strong in archaeology...) Indonesian gamelon (UHawaii's ethnomusicology dept. for sure...)</p>
<p>I ackknowledge that many people have strong ties to where they live- that is great- that is what I would hope for.
However what I do have a big problem with is with those who don't/wont recognize that they DO have a choice and they are making IT.
To read threads about people who earn in the top percentage of incomes in the country let alone the world, complain that they can't send their kids to college at their top choice school- and how six figures isn't what it used to be- sounds ludicrous to those who are living in those same areas who aren't earning that sort of money- or even people who live in areas without the amenities that some have come to expect, but they are able to manage and raise their families.
We have choices- and we need to teach our kids that they have choices too- not teach them that they are being discriminated against because their parents earn a good salary and are well educated.</p>