<p>The further we get into this process, the more it feels like we need to expand our list.</p>
<p>Stats - 3.96 UW gpa/35 ACT/1530-2300 SAT) Good EC's - particularly stong in music</p>
<p>Course of Study - Pre-Med, Philosophy</p>
<p>Current List
Michigan (accepted)
Michigan State (accepted)
U Chicago (applied EA)
Carleton (will apply)</p>
<p>Priorites
1.Chicago/Carleton Studious Kids
2.Midwest
3.Merit Money (I know this is always a crap shoot)</p>
<p>Thanks so much.</p>
<p>Is son happy with son's list?</p>
<p>He is, like me, a little uneasy about it.</p>
<p>Amherst! OK not Midwest. And no merit money.</p>
<p>Wash U...pretty hard to get into but it's very easy to fill out the application (just common app + basic information sheet, no extra work). Wash U makes it really easy to apply for kicks. Merit money requires extra work (applications), though.</p>
<p>What's he uneasy about.</p>
<p>Well, to address your priority list, Kalamazoo College is not in Chicago, but has studious kids, is in the Midwest, awards generous merit scholarships, and is strong in pre-med/med school placement with excellent facilities (Dow Center). With regard to merit $$, your S. would likely be offered the maximum honors scholarship of $13,000 per year as well as be eligible for two competitive scholarships (one academic subject, one fine arts--music). Each is worth an additional $2000 per year so $17,000/year would be a possiblity.</p>
<p>Uneasy because he could be leaving some good schools out that might offer good merit money. Also, he is a NMSF.</p>
<p>Are you in-state Michigan?</p>
<p>In-State yes</p>
<p>No brainer - figure U-M @ $20,000. You'll need $15k-$30k merit aid just to make up the difference. If you're need based, potentially different story, otherwise I assume for the following argument that you're a full payer. </p>
<p>Think of it this way - Wash U or any other similar school either private or out of state will cost $40k - $50k per year. Very generous merit aid would be $20k or less. So you're at best break even to U-M. Even K-College will only get you equal to U-M. I know the U-M rap for in-staters, and its not for everyone, but economically you can't beat it on the value equation. Top 25 school for $20k. All your aid will get you down there if you're lucky at these other top schools, Chicago, Carleton, etc. </p>
<p>He needs to be top 1% or so at Chicago, Carleton, Wash U, Vandy, et.al. to get merit and remember he's competing against the best of the crop for that merit $$. Real tough to get.</p>
<p>Unless he's real down on U-M for some reason - save your money for grad school. You can't beat the price for the education.</p>
<p>Have you considered Case Western Reserve? He is in range for nearly full tuition; has all your criteria, including medical research opportunities and hospital volunteer opportunities. If he does a dual major in music, he would get lessons by the Cleveland Institute of Music faculty.</p>
<p>Not sure if you consider it midwest, but U of Rochester is another one, but less on merit awards.</p>
<p>Let's assume the EFC is equal to the full cost of U of M.</p>
<p>Thinking merit and mid-west, WUSTL immediately comes to mind, but agree that it takes extra essays and is a long shot for anyone. How about Grinnell, he should have a good shot at a half tuition scholarship there? There's Macalester, but I think their merit is usually only about 3-5k/year. Rice is mid-, but likely further south than he's thinking (but it has excellent music). Vandy, even further south. And Emory's scholarship date has already passed. For a kid at his level, I can't think of any others since he already has Michigan under his belt.</p>
<p>With EFC = to UM then go for best fit. The rest will be more or less need base covered. But don't forget, need based will be combination, grants, loans and work, so it'll probably cost you more in the end. Probably won't be all "free" money.</p>
<p>K-college has high placement rate in grad schools. Medical, Engineering, Business. I know they'll get their cost down to UM to get a kid of his caliber from in-state. Great overseas study pgm to if he's interested. Closer to U Chicago than UM in attitude.</p>
<p>I agree with Grinnell suggestion. Kind of in the middle of nowhere. Actually visited it this summer. Drive by only, as the school was closed. </p>
<p>So IMO, if you want merit you need to get out of the top 20 universities or LACs. Competition is too tough and therefore its a crapshoot. Although for a $50 application fee it might be worth it at some of the schools mentioned. You never know.</p>
<p>Agree with Mountandog on determining best fit. H. and myself are Michigan grads, S. is at Kalamazoo. Price will be about the same, but two very different college experiences. Does your S. have a preference...large research U. v. small LAC?</p>
<p>Don't forget Northwestern. I was accepted at NU and Chicago, but NU gave me a lot more $ and I went there.</p>
<p>How about Northwestern? Kenyon? Denison? </p>
<p>I don't know how these schools fair with med school acceptances and merit aid, but your son's stats fit in with their upper levels.</p>
<p>Good catch MomWaiting, I missed Kenyon & Denison, they both have good merit aid that the OP's son should be in the running for.</p>
<p>There's lots of schools your son would get serious merit money from. They will be a tier or two below where he could otherwise go. So the issue is do you need to avoid paying the $20K EFC badly enough to look at lesser schools? If yes, your best info will be had on the parent's board.</p>
<p>When you can get an education of the caliber UMich offers, it's tough to look elsewhere, but sometimes a kid just wants to go someplace new.</p>
<p>Knox comes to mind. Solid school with focus on academics and a reputation for merit $. Lawrence U may also be a fit, but I'm not sure how generous they are.</p>