Daughter

<p>Yale and Dartmouth are not big schools. Yale has a residential hall system that might appeal to a shy student.</p>

<p>Second the advice to consider applying for financial aid. If you think the finances are too tight to consider such a large investment, chances are the school will too.</p>

<p>Pick a safety school where your D would like to go and it will be economically feasible without a lot of aid. Then, after checking out other schools, apply there and when the financial aid and merit offers come in, compare them and decide whether it will be the safety or one of the others. Look to schools that offer 100% of financial need, or schools that give lots of merit aid. Find out which schools give merit aid for Hispanic Scholar. Now, realize that some schools that give merit aid won't give a lot of additional aid except for loans, work/study, etc. You have to do your homework. That said, many of the elite schools with large endowments give wonderful FA packages, not necessarily merit aid. That proved true for us last year - it was cheaper to go to the elite school than to state U. So don't dismiss a school just because it is expensive. But above all, love your safety! Until those offers and acceptances come in, you won't be able to make a final decision.</p>

<p>Since your daughter is a likely NMF then there are colleges that give full tuition to such. Since she is also a URM there probably are others. Look thru the "merit scholarship" threads. </p>

<p>My son is shy but he will probably go to a large university but be in an "honors program" and honors dorm so that he will get the "feel" of a smaller campus.</p>