<p>mallomar--Different strokes for different folks, I guess. We saw something quite special in both Wooster and Kenyon. One, however, was more affordable.</p>
<p>We all had 3.9 something GPAs (unweighted) while taking lots of AP and IB, high test scores, honors in activities, volunteered, were varsity level athletes etc In addition we had a strong interest in certain areas, and could convey that well to admissions. One of my good friends had a passion for science and Chinese language, she is now on her Fulbright in China studying environmental policy. I realize that admissions is even more challenging now, so I'm just glad to be an alum :)</p>
<p>I'm a Kenyon student, and from what I hear the school really is TERRIBLE about financial aid. As a tour guide, we're basically told to say that need-based and merit-based financial aid is available but that we, as students, can't answer specific questions and they should contact an admissions rep. I think we just don't have the endowment or financial comfort to do it well. I am lucky enough that I don't have to worry about tuition, but it's a shame that some really brilliant kids can't come here because of money. I am currently applying to transfer though, so if I do decide to leave maybe another kid will take my spot here!</p>
<p>It is true that Kenyon is not need blind, but I don't think terrible is an accurate representation of the situation.</p>
<p>Kenyon is far from terrible about financial aid, in fact they are better than most other schools in their peer group because they don't leave gaps in packages for families who have great need. Where they DO struggle is with merit, I'll admit that. And yes, that is in part tied to endowment, they just have less scholarship money to give out when compared to other peer schools/LACs.</p>
<p>terrible might've been a bit harsh, but i do know of a few students who i consider more cut out for kenyon than me who weren't able to attend because of finances...</p>
<p>Does anyone know what percentage of Kenyon Students get merit aid. According to the website, around 70 percent get some kind of aid, while 45 percent get need based aid. Does this mean that >25% get merit aid, or am I misreading this?</p>
<p>Top 15-20% get merit aid as I recall. I don't remember if I saw this on the Kenyon website, in the Collegian (Kenyon's paper), or on an official document from the college. That brings about the last point I intended to make in previous posts. There is an opinion piece in the Collegian this week that talks about this a bit as well. Basically Kenyon is now competing with Yale and so on for students, so the top 15-20% of applicants ends up being a fairly small # of students that actually intend on attending Kenyon. I'm sure admissions tries to gauge interest especially when handing out the largest awards, but it might be possible that there are quite a few "lost" scholarships each year. So in essence you have to be of Ivy caliber to pull off the nice merit awards. I welcome comments, especially official ones, if I am way off base here.</p>
<p>My D is interested in Kenyon, so I've been following this sub-forum. I wonder what percentage of ED students, if any at all, receive merit aid: I'm guessing that, by applying ED, a student is most likely forfeiting any chance of being awarded merit aid.</p>
<p>On a fall visit day that Kenyon sponsored this past fall, the admissions staff strongly recommended NOT going ED if the cost is an issue. They pretty much said if Kenyon is your #1 choice and you need aid, there are other ways of letting your interest be known to the admission's office than ED. </p>
<p>My D decided to apply EDII purely by the numbers. Last year 347 students applied ED and 185 were accepted- 53%. 27% of RD candidates were accepted. Kenyon does not have to give ED applicants any money, since they are agreeing to enroll upon acceptance. </p>
<p>Will the money be tight for us.. not even a question (we are also supporting a parent in assisted care.) Not 100% sure how we are going to swing it, however, it was OBVIOUS that Kenyon was the right school for our D and we did not want to risk the rejection.</p>
<p>Just another way to look at it.</p>
<p>ED students are eligible for scholarships...the reason schools like Kenyon don't want students with financial concerns to apply ED is NOT because they won't give out scholarships at that point...it's because there's no telling yet what your financial aid will look like. Their ED is binding, so students admitted are supposed to enroll - how fair is it to make a student with financial concerns commit to a school they might not be able to afford?</p>
<p>mallomar, I have so much respect for you. Kudos for allowing your child to go to the college of their choosing no matter what strain it will put you in, that's more than a lot of children can say about their parents. You're making a sacrifice and for that I truly respect you. I wish your daughter all the luck getting in to Kenyon, and truly hope that she's happy here.</p>
<p>Swingdogs--I think it's wonderful that mallomar is willing and able to send her child to the college of her dreams. And Kenyon is, indeed, a fantastic school! I'm a great admirer of Kenyon--I fell in love with it when we visited--three times! But it's unfair to imply that those of us who cannot do the same as Mallomar are somehow undeserving of "respect," or, perhaps, simply love our offspring less. For us, a middle-class family with a pre-tax $100,000 annual income and no need-based aid forthcoming when our older daughter entered college in 2006, Kenyon's small merit offer made it virtually impossible for her to attend. It would have been fiscally irresponsible of us, as older parents nearing retirement age, to plunder our IRAs, empty our savings accounts, re-mortgage the house, take out big loans, and basically go into hock up to our eyeballs in order to pay the annual $40,000 out-of-pocket it would have cost to finance her Kenyon education. It would have been equally irresponsible to insist that she assume a huge debt that would have haunted her for years post-graduation, simply because she believed that this was the ONE and only place where she could be blissfully happy. My daughter is now extremely happy at a very good, though somewhat less glamorous school, that has given her an outstanding financial aid package, a million wonderful opportunities, and the dream of graduating without a ton of debt. Between our two girls, (a freshman and sophomore) we now qualify for some need-based aid, but still must struggle to pay $50,000 a year out-of-pocket for them to attend great schools that may or may not have started out as the colleges of their dreams. (Both could have attended in-state public schools with a full-ride.) To do so, we're making every sacrifice imaginable, short of bankrupting the family--driving high mileage old cars, living in a modest home, and skipping vacations. So, I refuse to feel guilty.</p>
<p>Hindoo, our D would not be going to Kenyon if we were putting mutiple children through college. period; I credit you for figuring out how to make it work; I'm not sure what I would do if there were multiple tuitions. </p>
<p>And Swingdogs, each of us has our reasons for making the financial and other decisions we do; I do think that everyone on CC wants to do the best for whatever their situation is. Aside from the students here, CC is filled with engaged passionate parents who want nothing but the best for their kids. Sometimes the reasons parents make the choices they do are not readily apparent.</p>
<p>I am not sure that we would be as willing to pay this much out of pocket if our D wanted to go to Carlton, Smith or other wonderful LAC. We first fell in love with Kenyon when our D's older sister was looking at the school for herself. Very unfortunately, she died before making a college decision. Our sending THIS D to Kenyon is more an emotional than financial decision. If we had also put two through college we would be more likely looking at schools that offered money or at public institutions.</p>
<p>Although we may all end up in the same place.... the paths are all unique.</p>
<p>First of all, Mallomar, my condolences for the loss of your older daughter. Congratulations upon your younger daughter's acceptance to Kenyon. I wish her a joyful and productive experience there.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. It's early days yet for my daughter; she's still a HS sophomore, but we're starting to brainstorm colleges to visit over the next 12-18 months. She's very passionate about English Literature and Creative Writing, so Kenyon is of particular interest to her, as are some other LAC's. (Hindoo, I remember you from the Skidmore sub-forum..interestingly, my D is also interested in Carleton. :) )</p>
<p>I know that favorite colleges are bound to change, but I was just looking at things from purely an admissions stats perspective. But I honestly cannot disregard the financial risk. As your responses have suggested, I'm guessing that she's probably going to stick to either RD, or rolling, applications. Thanks again, for your feedback.</p>
<p>I apologize, I didn't mean to offend or come off as disrespectful, I think the fact that you're using CC to be active, knowledgable, and supportive in your child's college process is a testament in itself. Again, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause or imply guilt, but Mallomar's story really caused a surge of emotion and respect within me.</p>
<p>Swingdogs--I apologize for going off in post #33. The financial situation we've found ourselves in, in regard to colleges, has been frustrating beyond belief! And more than a little scary, truth be known.</p>
<p>Mallomar, I'm so sorry for the incredible loss of your oldest daughter. I can't even begin to imagine what this loss has been like for you & for your family.</p>
<p>To all of you, thanks for your comments re Olaf, Carleton, Kenyon & Wooster. We'll still "check them all out", but your comments the schools, their caliber, & their merit aid are quite helpful. Thanks.</p>
<p>What do you all think Kenyon is really great at? What is drawing all the almost Ivy kids to Kenyon? I've always heard of their strength in writing, but I know so little about Kenyon's strengths academically. Also, do the Kenyon faculty tend to relate closely with the students?</p>
<p>thanks!</p>