<p>When we visited Muhlenberg, they really emphasized the importance of early decision. Sounds like high percentage of applicants get in that way and you get better housing. My fear is that you might get shortchanged with the merit/talent scholarship process. If they know they have you as a sure thing, why offer much to the student? Anyone out there who has had any experience with Muhlenberg?</p>
<p>Yes, we have experience with Muhlenberg. But my son applied to Muhlenberg regular decision. He received both a Presidential Scholarship and a talent award on top of that. Please see my other post to you about looking for answers on the Muhlenberg specific forum. Good luck!</p>
<p>the students we know admitted ED both received merit $$ after their acceptances; I don’t think that Muhlenberg plays that game given that they accept such a high % of the class ED…</p>
<p>I asked about that when we visited Muhlenberg (true, it was several years ago). The admissions officer said that they have 2 different pots of merit money: those for ED and those for RD. One does not affect the other. </p>
<p>She actually seemed surprised that we asked. Her response was, “Why would we want to shortchange our best customers? The kids who really want to be here?”</p>
<p>Makes sense.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for getting back to me! I keep hearing so many good things about Muhlenberg! It is a shame more people haven’t heard about the collegel. Now I am not so worried about losing out on Merit Aid.</p>
<p>I think Muhlenberg’s website is the clearest one I have ever seen explaining merit and ned-based aid - worth a read if you have not already done so. Take the concept of preferential packaging, for example, they lay it out very clearly - I have never seen another college be so transparent about the process.</p>
<p>I keep finding things to admire about Muhlenberg. They are one of the very few (only?) SAT/ACT optional schools to fully report their test score averages, including the scores of students who didn’t submit them for admissions purposes. IOW, other test optional schools submit only the scores of those students who submitted them during admissions, presumably those students have higher scores than those who did not submit. By submitting all their enrolled students scores Muhlenberg’s scores are lower than they would be otherwise, potentially negatively impacting their ranking. That strikes me as particularly honest and transparent.</p>
<p>This info came from this article in the NYT.
[Class</a> Struggle - What the SAT-optional Colleges Don?t Tell You](<a href=“http://voices.washingtonpost.com/class-struggle/2009/07/what_the_sat-optional_colleges.html]Class”>http://voices.washingtonpost.com/class-struggle/2009/07/what_the_sat-optional_colleges.html)</p>
<p>My D applied RD (not theater) and got an amazing financial aid package. Presidential scholarship plus incredibly generous need-based portion. We have a small amount of need, but the amount given to D was waaaaaay beyond anything we could ever have imagined.</p>
<p>Muhlenberg was the only school that I cried about when my D made her final decision and it was a very close call between Muhlenberg and the school she did choose. I don’t know about housing because my daughter didn’t matriculate, but I respectfully don’t believe you have anything to worry about with regard to money. Just do get the financial aid forms in because Muhlenberg has some special ones and they expect the student to be on top of them. Not onerous in any way, but you do have to take a look at the website after applying. Good luck!!!</p>
<p>We visited Muhlenberg twice for d3’s college search and absolutely loved what we saw. It’s a beautiful campus with impressive science and arts facilities. My impression, based on what a tour guide shared with us, is that the program for LD students is exceptional. The school seems committed to a holistic application review process. If anyone out there is assembling a list and is interested in northeastern LACs, I strongly recommend visiting Muhlenberg. </p>
<p>Unless things have changed since 2008, merit aid candidates are required to interview on campus (and to submit SAT/ACT scores, btw). So you might want to arrange for an interview if you know you can only visit once. We enjoyed our time there so much that it was actually a pleasure to return for a second visit.</p>
<p>My D did regular decision and rec’d both generous merit aid, and a talent scholarship through the theater dept, which by the way has a great program!</p>
<p>I was very impressed by the school on my visit. Only negative for girls is the lopsided male/female ratio. PA has so many good small schools that many do not get the recognition they deserve.</p>
<p>Even if you do not set up an on-campus interview, it is possible that you may be able to interview with a member of the admissions staff near your hometown as they do travel to a number of places to conduct interviews. For example, my son was able to interview in a local hotel.</p>