When parents with a long history here on CC hear “cost is not a consideration,” they get very nervous. Please ask your parents to run the Net Price Calculator for a range of schools to see what the financial picture is likely to be. Too often, students and their family build a college list without a firm grasp on the specific financials for them. Many of us assumed that our EFC – Expected Family Contribution – would be closer to what we had mentally budgeted all along. And many of us were surprised, if not stunned, to discover that our EFC was much higher than we could afford (the infamous middle class doughnut hole). So as a parent who has done this twice – please make sure that your parents know what your EFC is going to be and have the means to meet it, without borrowing themselves. If that is not the case, then the list has to reflect financially feasible schools.
@runnergirl31, I know you asked for matches and safeties so wanted to make sure that it was clarified that based on current scores Bate and Colby are reaches and Bowdoin, Carleton and Middlebury are super reaches.
@Midwestmomofboys I understand what you’re saying. My parents have done the net price calculator and we know how much it will cost at various schools (roughly). I’m not saying that cost is not a consideration (sorry if I worded it wrong earlier) but at this moment I am just trying to figure out which schools I might want to apply to, not necessarily the one I will definitely attend. That decision will be made in the spring once I know how much money each school has offered. Thanks!
@runnergirl31 That’s great that you have run the NPCs etc. Please keep in mind that at most schools, financial aid and merit aid do not “stack” – the EFC remains the same, regardless of merit aid. Merit aid might reduce the loans or work study portion of financial aid, but does not change the EFC. So, for a family which is eligible for some financial aid and also counting on merit aid – merit aid usually does not change the cost of attendance.
DId you find St. Olaf’s too mainstream? Would you prefer a more alternative vibe? If so, then maybe look into Hampshire College, Earlham, Beloit and maybe Macalester.
" would prefer a small school, location does not matter to me, I want the students to be laid back, hard working, intellectual, down to earth, non-competitive, diverse, and I don’t want much Greek life.
Thinking about majoring in a language, sociology, or something similar…"
Whitman meets all your criteria and is a great school, I hope you continue to check it out.
I’d like to second Dickinson. This was a top contender for my D, we liked everything about it.
Thirding Dickinson, Beloit.
What about Muhlenberg, Wheaton MA, Skidmore?
@citymama9 I don’t necessarily want a super alternative school. I don’t know if St. Olaf being too mainstream was the problem, it just didn’t strike me as the perfect place… I don’t know how exactly to explain it. I enjoyed the atmosphere and students at Grinnell and Carleton more, if that’s any comparison.
@MYOS1634 I don’t know much about any of those schools, but I know the academics are good. What are the students like?
" would prefer a small school, location does not matter to me, I want the students to be laid back, hard working, intellectual, down to earth, non-competitive, diverse, and I don’t want much Greek life.
Thinking about majoring in a language, sociology, or something similar…"
If you can get your head wrapped around an all girls college, Mount Holyoke would be a great fit. And since they belong to the five college consortium in the Pioneer Valley you could be taking classes and socializing at coed schools as well. If you don’t like the idea of a single sex college I would suggest Muhlenberg as a great fit. Best of luck to you!
Yes I agree that Mt. Holyoke would be a contender if you are considering all girls’ colleges. My D attends Skidmore and is very happy there…both Mt. Holyoke and Dickinson were on the short list to choose from in the end.
Take a good look at Colorado College, the students there are very nice and noncompetitive. And ^^ @NEPatsGirl hooray for a vote for Skidmore!
Smith!
@runnergirl31 Curious if you visited any more LACs and have found any more matches or safeties you like? S19 wants exactly what you’re looking for! We visited Kenyon, Denison, and Beloit this summer and he really liked all of them.
Southwestern University! With your stats, you have a really really good chance of admission. Plus their application is really easy to fill out.
@homerdog Hi, sorry for the late reply, but yes, this summer I visited Bowdoin, Bates, Colby, Middlebury, and St. Lawrence University. The two school that remain on my list are Bates and St. Lawrence. I really loved the community feel of Bates and St. Lawrence. I would recommend checking them out if you haven’t already!
@runnergirl31, you mentioned XC and track and given user name I assume you love to run. Are you planning to run in college? If yes, have you reached out to coaches and had pre-reads completed?