<p>A friend of mine just called and asked if Colby-Sawyer or Endicott would be possible for her (senior) daughter, who has a GPA of 2.6 and SAT's around 1500. </p>
<p>They have been considering only state colleges, for money reasons, but have been receiving mailings from Colby-Sawyer emphasizing "affordability." Therefore, they are now thinking about applying there and to any other affordable (meaning financial aid) colleges for kids in that academic range, in the New England area. Endicott came to mind. The daughter does not like cities....</p>
<p>It would be great if someone could advise them (through me) here on CC.</p>
<p>How is financial aid at Colby-Sawyer, or at Endicott, for a kid like this? Her parents are lower middle class, I would say.</p>
<p>Colby-Sawyer is probably a good fit. My D was accepted–she was at the bottom of the top half of her class, had a weighted 3.2 gpa, but a poor tester and so had low SAT scores. They were very generous with financial aid. I think if your friend’s daughter visits and really loves it and communicates with them that she loves it, they will be inclined to accept her. </p>
<p>My D did not apply to Endicott, but we visited and they made a strong point of how they were raising their academic profile and becoming more selective. It seemed pretty obvious she wouldn’t get in so we didn’t bother. </p>
<p>I thought Colby-Sawyer was lovely and seemed like it would be a nurturing environment, but my D found it isolated and too rural. In the end she chose a school that was closer to a city.</p>
<p>Thank you Donna! This girl does not like cities so Colby-Sawyer would be perfect for her. Her GPA is only 2.6 or so, but she has gotten a lot more serious since a car accident last year, and had pulled grades up last year as well.</p>
<p>I will pass this on to her mom, and really appreciate your post.</p>
<p>I would agree that Colby-Sawyer is a much better STATISTICAL fit than Endicott. The average GPA for incoming freshmen at Colby-Sawyer is 3.0, while the middle 50th percentile for SAT Math and Critical Reading only is 880 – 1070. Endicott accepts fewer than half its applicants and accepted students generally have a 3.3+ GPA and SAT scores in the 1000 – 1170 range (M&CR). As Donna noted, Endicott is intent on increasing its selectivity as well.</p>
<p>Colby-Sawyer has a reputation of accepting students who did not perform at the top of the heap in high school and helping them succeed in college.</p>
<p>Have you considered Green Mountain College? It’s another small rural school with decent aid and low selectivity in that region. It’s environmentally focused, which might make a difference.</p>