Class of 2011--who's in?

<p>My D received her acceptance today–with the wonderfully personal letter Beloit is known for (she was impressed). She goes to campus in Feb for the scholarship interviews. She will be a psych or psych/art major with prelaw studies. Anyone else hear today? This board has been quiet for too long!</p>

<p>I got in too! I'm sooooooooo excited (I'm filling out the paperwork as I type this :)) and I'm thrilled they liked my essay (it didn't go over well with some people). I'm also going to the Pres. Scholarship Weekend. Which of the two weekends is your daughter going to? I want to major in English (the Literary Studies track) and I'm prelaw as well. Oy, now I'm rambling. Anyhoo, tell your D congrats for me!</p>

<p>Congratulations! My D is going up for the Feb 2-3 weekend. She will stay on campus Th and Fri. She visited a year ago Nov as a junior... Have you been there yet? Beloit is one of D's top 3--probably first in an ideal world, but FA and scholarship will also play an important role in choice for us. She is from Illinois, which makes up nearly 1/4 of student body, so CA sounds wonderful. I think you will like the school--I am impressed--we visited about 13-14 schools.</p>

<p>My son received his acceptance letter a few days ago. He was not originally going to apply but we encouraged him to do so since it was a Common App school. My wife and I liked Beloit a lot. I expect he will sign up for the scholarship interviews soon.</p>

<p>Beloit is tied with Smith as my top choices but I'm really tempted to just send in my deposit because Beloit is financially feasible while Smith really is going to be a huge stretch for my family. </p>

<p>I'll be going to the Feb 16-17 schollie weekend...originally, I wanted to go to the first one but I had a Girl Scout committment and didn't want to back out. It's okay, though. I think that if I like Beloit as much as I think I do, I'll send in my deposit when I get back home. I thought it was slightly humorous that I got my schollie weekend stuff before my acceptance...it'd be slightly cruel to reject someone after telling her that she could come to the schollie weekend.</p>

<p>WHOA, I am not in (yet--fingers crossed, folks!) but I'm so excited people are posting here.</p>

<p>To theothermuse: I know people at Smith who are getting mad financial aid. They're really understanding about that stuff. So I'd at least wait and see what they give you before making that a determining factor.</p>

<p>I got in too, and I'll be at the Feb. 16-17 Pres. scholarship weekend. Yay!</p>

<p>Congratulations to everyone!</p>

<p>My daughter, who is a first semester freshman, and I would be happy to answer any student or parent questions anyone may have about Beloit. :)</p>

<p>One piece of advice I would give is to fill out and return your housing questionnaire as soon as possible, even if you're not yet 100% certain you'll be going to Beloit. Beloit averages the date they receive your housing questionnaire and the date they receive your actual enrollment deposit, and uses that to assign priority for housing. Last year, my daughter sent her housing questionnaire in right away, and has enjoyed a nice-sized single in her top choice dorm as a freshman. Meanwhile, friends who waited until Mid-April to send in both ended up in less desirable housing. So -- send in that housing form now, even if you're not positive you'll be going -- it doesn't cost anything, and it gets you in the queue for the best housing!</p>

<p>By the way, Bookmom, my daughter is looking forward to meeting your daughter in a few weeks. She told me that, based on your daughter's email, she thought your D. sounded like a "true" Beloit student. :)</p>

<p>Theothermuse, we're from California too -- in fact, there are quite a few Californians at Beloit.</p>

<p>That's good to hear, Carolyn. I've decided that I want to stay in Bushnell, Chapin, or Maurer (in that order). The paperwork will go out tomorrow.</p>

<p>I'm really excited to be visiting Beloit next month even though some others of the LU '11 Facebook Group are trying to dissuade me from considering Beloit. I like semesters, though, so we shall see. :)</p>

<p>Thanks for your offer, Carolyn. I would like to know if there is much Jewish presence on campus. How would your daughter describe the "true" Beloit student?</p>

<p>I can answer your question about the Jewish presence on campus (I am a Jewish first year student.) </p>

<p>Basically, there is a Jewish presence, but it is small. The club is very ambitious and it is growing, but religion just isn't too popular around here I suppose. I have yet to find my personal niche as a Jew on campus, which dissapoints me in a lot of ways, but if the student really likes Beloit (like I do!) then I would not let to the lack of Jewish life discourage you. Like I said, the club (Am Yisrael Hillel) has a definite presence on campus, and it is growing-- a good sign for the future, in my opinion! I have to say though, if you are religious...don't expect any kosher options, weekly service options, or anything like that... it just is not available. There is a friendly reform synagogue in town, but that is about it. Overall, I would say that, although I LOVE beloit and I would NOT take back my decision to come here, the lack of Jewish life has been my greatest adjustment. I hope that helps...Feel free to ask more!</p>

<p>theothermuse -- my son lived in Chapin his freshman year and loved it.</p>

<p>Theothermuse, My daughter lives in Bushnell. Although it's not the swankiest dorm on campus, she loves the sense of community she's found there and is very glad she put it down as her top choice last year. </p>

<p>Mjb answered the question about Jewish life on campus better than I could (thanks M - it was fun to see you at the airport when A. was leaving!). </p>

<p>According to my daughter there really is no "typical" Beloit student -- but I would disagree. I think the "typical" Beloit student is someone who is pretty open-minded, down to earth (you won't find any girls in pearls or guys driving new BMW's at Beloit), and fairly creative about their approach to life. </p>

<p>If I had to point to a moment that probably best sums up the "Beloit mystique" it would be this story my daughter told me about two or three weeks into her first semester. She was walking back to her dorm, and just felt really happy to be there, so she spontaneously started doing a little twirling dance on the walkway. She said several people that she didn't know just as spontaneously joined in. She knew then that she was in the right place for her. Now, for others that might not seem like much (or maybe it might strike others as downright weird) but my daughter spent much of high school feeling like spontaneous dancing was grounds for being branded weird, so to her, it was a magical moment. I guess if I had to point to something "typical" about Beloit students, it would be the ability to enjoy those sorts of moments without being self-conscious.</p>

<p>One thing I will mention that has surprised my daughter just a bit. Since Beloit was a match, maybe even a bit of a safety, for her, she kind of assumed that the academic side of things would be pretty easy. She was wrong -- although she did well, she found her first semester courses to be pretty challenging, with the professors having high expectations. You may only take 4 courses a semester at Beloit, but you won't exactly be sitting around eating bon bons for lack of work. :)</p>

<p>Theothermuse, Regarding the Lawrence vs. Beloit question. My daughter looked at both schools, and decided that she felt more comfortable at Beloit. Lawrence is an excellent school, just as Beloit is, but I think if you visit, you'll know right away which is the better fit for you personally. In my opinion, you couldn't go wrong with either school if your choice ultimately boils down between the two.</p>

<p>Carolyn--My D is very very excited to meet yr D in a couple of weeks--they sound like two peas in a pod--same major and shared interests. DD got $9K at Lawrence (and they had a very welcoming personal note in their letter too) but she has about decided that Appleton is too far north (read cold) and she is not too keen on the trimester terms. Since her first visit to Beloit, it has been at the top of her list.</p>

<p>The "fit" thing can be maddening--D is a perfect Beloiter candidate fit-wise, and she tends to rule out many of her other schools because of their location or the 'look' of the students when she visits campus ("no one looks like me here, mom" she has lamented at several schools--meaning no wine-colored hair, nose piercings, black hose with high tops and too many school-color sweatshirts), This means she is scratching off several really good merit offers and good academic schools from her list--making her dad and me squirm a bit; secretly we are rooting for the U of Il, which is close, 3/4 prepaid and has good programs--but it also has lots of TAs, large frosh classes and a gigantic population. (On D's plus list it is close to boyfriend) However, I am sure she could find some wine-colored hairdos and not everyone there goes crazy over the Big Ten rah-rah or joins a sorority.</p>

<p>I will talk to her this weekend about the dorm app--we have to do that for other schools this mo too. It is good to know too that the academics aren't a piece of cake despite being a match or safety--she is eying another state school on the assumption it would be 'easy' which to me is a worse reason to choose it than feeling there is a 'fit' there. The idea is to challenge oneself not just cruise through.</p>

<p>I know Beloit offers to meet 100% of need--do you have a feel for how much would be grant/job versus loan? We are pretty determined not to burden D (or we old, nearly retired parents) with UG loans when she still has grad or professional school down the road. </p>

<p>Also, what is your take on the scholarship weekends at Beloit? None of her other colleges had such a requirement for merit scholarships, and hers range from $7K to $16K so far. Do many of the students fly in or drive there sans parents, or do parents mostly share the weekend with the students? I suppose I will drive her up. </p>

<p>And when do they send out the FA award notices--March or April? Can we use the 'early estimator' to get an 'early estimate' from the FA office? Thought I might do that during scholarship weekend. </p>

<p>Hopefully all my questions will help out other new admittees as well.</p>

<p>OK, let me take a stab at the answers.</p>

<p>First, Beloit is one of the few schools in the country that really does meet 100% of demonstrated need. Because they are also generous with merit money, they also do not seem to rely too heavily on loans - they'll be part of the package, but typically not an onerous part of the package. Work study is also part of every financial aid package. Around 85% of students receive some sort of financial aid at Beloit, and I would say all of them have some sort of work study job. Working is so common that it is really not an issue, nor does Beloit, like some colleges, tack on an undoable work study amount.
Beloit also seems willing to negotiate a bit on financial aid if you have special circumstances, so if you're not happy with your aid package, it is worthwhile to speak to the financial aid office.</p>

<p>Here are the averages for financial aid at Beloit (data is from US News & World Reports):</p>

<p>Average need-based financial aid package $18,593
Average need-based scholarships or grants: $15,676
Average self-help aid such as work study or loans: $3,482
Average merit award - non-need based (12% of student body) $14,025
Percent who borrow 62%
Average debt upon graduation: $20,339</p>

<p>The scholarship weekend serves several purposes. Students are interviewed by a committee of faculty and current students, and most students who attend do get some sort of merit scholarship. I think the weekend also serves to give Beloit's most desirable applicants a first hand look at Beloit -- Beloit really is one of those schools that you have to experience first hand in order to fully appreciate, and it is my sense that the scholarship weekend does change some kids' minds about whether Beloit is right for them. </p>

<p>You should make an appointment to speak with the financial aid office while you are there that weekend. They can give you the specifics about when financial aid offers go out -- if I recall correctly, last year they went out before April, but I could be kind of fuzzy on the details.</p>

<p>Thanks, Carolyon--you are a patient source of knowledge on so many topics CC folks want and need to know. I hope you consider writing a book or a series of articles on college topices that non-ccers can access as well.</p>

<p>We did an online scheduling for a visit in late March 2 weeks ago and haven't heard anything yet. I guess we will call to schedule. Have to say that the Beloit web site doesn't feel exciting or inviting the way some others do.</p>

<p>I hope you consider writing a book or a series of articles on college topices that non-ccers can access as well.>></p>

<p>Well, if you've never seen my blog, check it out: <a href="http://www.admissionsadvice.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.admissionsadvice.com&lt;/a> :)</p>