@cinnamon1212 can you please elaborate on that a little bit? Is it because we will have to confirm of accepting the admission (if given) before the interviews for Johnson? Does it make sense to think of W&L for ED2 in that case?
@Mwfan1921 yes that is a concern for me but my son seems to be OK! I did my education in Berkeley California so personally speaking I hate snow and cold 
Will definitely look at Colby. About Wheaton should we be considering it for ED though? It definitely will be considered for RD. Going for ED-1 with a target school seems like one would leave something on the table when the chips are counted!
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The Johnson is a merit scholarship. Merit scholarships are used to entice students â at all schools, not just W&L â to attend. If you apply ED and are accepted, the school already knows you are coming and doesnât have to entice you. When we looked at it, I think over the years thereâs only been one or two ED applicants that were awarded the Johnson.
Now, that said, no one can count on getting the Johnson, so it may make sense to apply ED since the school is generous with financial aid. Or not â thatâs a calculation you have to make.
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Thanks much. Makes sense.
Agree with @Mwfan1921 that Colby offers great options for a student with these interests.
@Andygp , you understand that if accepted ED, you must attend, right?
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I was checking on Wheaton. Is it a religious school? Following excerpt from their website:
Biology majors explore the beauty, complexity, and intricacies of the natural world God created. At Wheaton, the broad curriculum, hands-on research, and engagement with current issues within a Christian context will position you to succeed in professional school, graduate school, or the workforce.
That is slightly confusingâŠIn my and also my sonâs view religion and science donât mix well usually. We are non-religious/agnostic/atheist but not at all aggressively so. Will that create an issue at Wheaton?
I am not sure. @njwrestlingmom thoughts/insights on Wheaton and religion/Christian influence in the classroom?
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If applying ED, the school should be a no-regrets top choice that is affordable.
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There are two Wheaton Colleges. One of them (the one in Illinois) is religious.
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Got it⊠There is one in MA. Will definitely take a look and consider.
@gardenstategal yes I do assuming that the financial aid offered is making it affordable right? If financial expectations are not satisfied then one can negotiate or back out of the contract as the case be is what I have read.
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In general, you canât ânegotiateâ. Occasionally, there are reasons to clarify the inputs. Use the Net Price Calulator for each school you are considering. If itâs unaffordable in the NPC, you should assume their offer wonât work for you.
Donât throw away your ED opportunity at a school you canât afford to attend. Itâs a waste! Please check this in advance to make sure you are using your golden pass at a school that is affordable.
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OP, check out thiscolbylife on instagram. Several virtual events on topics you are interested in.
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@gardenstategal thanks much for the clarification. Sometimes the calculators being for US citizen are hard to use for international students. However, those are indicating @25k USD as the family contribution which should be fine.
BTW one question regarding this: Usually do we need to submit the income statements every year? Does the financial aid get recalculated every year?
Thanks for the note on Instagram account of Colby also. Will follow and find more information.
Your sonâs search for a school matching his academic profile, with programs particularly aligned with his interests, has led him to some highly selective LACs. In his case, then, his college list, as you suggest, coincides with the desire to include reach schools among those to which he applies, especially with respect to ED. For this reason, a definably strategic approach, at least with respect to his top choices, may be superfluous in his case.
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@merc81 thank you for this! Just so that I understand (been a very long time since my GRE English daysđ)you are saying: It makes sense to choose one of the reach school which satisfies your academic requirements, is affordable with expected financial aid and there wonât be regret at the end of the day if a positive decision comes for ED. No point in overthinking itđ⊠Is my interpretation correct?
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Yes, thatâs correct. Specifically seeking reaches as a strategy, however, would seem to be counterproductive to your sonâs interests at this stage. Based on the low overall acceptance rates of the schools on his list, he has them already.
I believe that yes, you have to submit income every year. Schools donât want to fund students who no longer need assistance nor do they want to lose students for affordability reasons. With that said, you may want to ask this question in the financial aid forum, particularly if you expect your income to fluctuate.
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With respect to level of isolation, which was mentioned, Hamilton can be a good choice for a student without a car. For daily activity, it offers a free hourly shuttle to nearby suburban areas. For extended traveling, it arranges service to transportation hubs.
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@apple23 thanks much for this orthogonal advantage mention. Will definitely consider Hamilton in the plans.