<p>I graduated High School in 2011, but I am currently taking a gap-year volunteering in Thailand. I'm looking for above average (likely private) schools in the Mid-Atlantic or New England States. Size approximately 3,000-10,000. Mostly schools known to give out good non-need based aid. I'd like to study something with an International theme and maybe eventually get into Global Logistics/ Trade and Commerce.</p>
<p>My list so far: American, Bucknell, Clark, Colby, Northeastern, Union, UChicago, possibly Yale (if I feel chancy)</p>
<p>I guess I have the standard HS story: Almost all A's in the toughest classes offered, 1400 SAT's, well-involved/ successful with clubs and sports. However, I did do some unique things like run a marathon at 17 and become a volunteer tax-preparer. My gap-year should help to bolster my application as well. So far, I've biked across America to raise money for MS, taught English for a month in rural Thailand, and now I'm helping out the oppressed people of Burma through a volunteer position at PartnersWorld.</p>
<p>Any schools that I should add to my list? Any thoughts on my range- Ivy or below?</p>
<p>W&M does not give out much merit aid. Only about 25-30 students get awards, averaging ~$8K.</p>
<p>American University grants much more merit aid. ~250-275 students get awards averaging ~ $16K. AU would be a good choice for international studies and is in the OP’s size range. The DC location is a plus.</p>
<p>Other possibilities: maybe Brandeis or the University of Rochester.</p>
<p>As you get much more selective than AU, the chances decline for getting a significant merit award. 25% would be relatively high for the number of students receiving it. But, you’ve gotta figure it would go to the 25% of students with the best stats. 1400 M+CR would not put you in the upper quartile for schools much more selective than AU.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions. AU definitely seems to be a good fit. </p>
<p>You nailed the big problem I keep running into- better the school, worse the merit aid and there seems to be a dearth of schools in the middle of that law. Unfortunately, pure need-based aid just doesn’t work for my family.</p>
<p>Washington and Lee and University of Richmond give out full scholarships–but they’re very competitive. Franklin and Marshall (LOVELY school) gives out $12,000 presidential scholarships.</p>
<p>We were at Franklin & Marshall last month and found out from a Financial Aid representative in person that they no longer give out any merit aid except one small music scholarship that goes to one student.</p>
<p>They’ve switched to all need-based aid fairly recently (she said a couple years ago).</p>
<p>They looked like a nice school, but we crossed them off our list as we didn’t feel they were worth paying for compared to our other options since significant merit aid is an option elsewhere.</p>
<p>First you have to identify schools that give generous merit scholarships to MANY students (not just a few). You may need to expand your geography a bit. </p>
<p>Then you have to look at their middle quartile score ranges. If your M+CR score is well-within the TOP quartile then you’re likely to get a good merit scholarship.</p>
<p>Some schools have ASSURED merit scholarships for stats. You should apply to a couple of those as Financial safety schools.</p>
<p>How much merit do you need? For instance, if your parents will only pay $20k per year, then a $15k per year scholarship at a $50k+ school isn’t going to work out. There are a number of schools that routinely hand out $15k per year scholarships for strong stats…but again, if that leaves you with $35k+ to pay and your family will only pay $20k, then that school won’t work.</p>
<p>Good questions above: how much can your family actually pay? Your family probably has some money if you’re hanging out in Thailand and Burma. What is your home state? Moving a little more midwest, Denison offers good merit aid as does College of Wooster.</p>
<p>I’m from Pennsylvania just 30 minutes from F&M actually. I’m rather uninterested in any of the PA state schools, but staying in the Mid-Atlantic or New England States (UChicago exception) is a pretty important factor in my decisions. </p>
<p>My parents had talked about giving me somewhere around 20k/year for my education. They will probably loan me the remaining amounts as well. *An exception on those numbers might be made for Yale or UChicago though. But in general, a 50k private school would have to come down to atleast 35k.</p>
<p>…and I do have an affordable safety school lined up, Elizabethtown College.</p>
<p>Any thoughts on the types of schools I may be able to get into? I recognize that UChicago and Yale don’t offer Merit Aid, but an exception might be made for those schools considering my parents will likely loan me the remaining amount.</p>
<p>I know my stats are average for the 30,000+ apps Yale receives, but do you think that what I’ve done this year gives me a shot? I feel as though I have a strong personal statement to accompany my gap-year as well.</p>