<p>Just wondering how generous the financial aid packages are for Smith compared to Wellesley... is there a big difference? And even though it varies for each individual, which college is usually more generous? How much are student debts on average for Smith and Wellesley after graduation?</p>
<p>My D's financial aid offers were close enough that it wasn't worth making a decision on that basis. And Smith beat Wellesley's after I showed them Wellesley's offer.</p>
<p>I think the loans that D is responsible for will be around $12K or so. Not a huge amount, imo. Enough that you feel like you "own" part of your education.</p>
<p>The averages won't tell you much, because the student bodies aren't totally comparable. The percentage of students at Smith coming from families below $60k in income is much, much higher than at Wellesley, and the percentage paying full freight is much lower. If you are paying full freight, you may get by without any student debt.</p>
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<p>No, there usually isnt a big difference. Colleges long ago agreed not to get into bidding wars.--just as they agreed not to offer athletic scholarships. Smith uses the instructional (CSS) and federal (FAFSA) method when determining aid. Smith has the Praxis program which gives aid to help <em>any</em> student to subsidize an unpaid internship.
What other colleges gives financial help, regadless of income, so a student can do an unpaid internship? </p>
<p>Smith also paid (plane tickets included) for some students to take a trip to Washington recently to attend some meetings and a lecture. You have to apply for the funds.. but still name another college so generous.</p>
<p>And although its a little thing, or not so little, Smith has vans the students (clubs) can take to events and lectures all over the Northeast. </p>
<p>Again, what other college supplies a van to any club that requests one, free of charge, to attend a lecture or meeting at Bates, Harvard, Colby, etc.?</p>
<p>Holyoke has vans also, but youre limited to 50 miles. Wipeee, that wont get you to the Starbucks near Tufts.</p>
<p>{{Again, what other college supplies a van to any club that requests one, free of charge, to attend a lecture or meeting at Bates, Harvard, Colby, etc.?}}</p>
<p>Smith College SGA Vans are pretty great. Bates doesn't have any? </p>
<p>A shame.</p>
<p><<Bates doesn't have any? A shame.
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>Bates isn't going tp offer you your own chef in almost every house either. :)</p>
<p>Just kidding Sara. You know I want to to be happy. If it's at Bates, so be it.</p>
<p>btw--there aren't any great pizza, or any good restaurants for that matter, near Bates either -lol Lewiston is not Northampton :)</p>
<p>Hey they have starbucks! And a gi-normous wal-mart. The Smith SGA van was def hi-jacked on the last trip up there to scope out the terrain.</p>
<p>But I was waitlisted. And suprisingly somewhat ok about it. I dont know how I feel anymore about all of this...</p>
<p>anyways, back to the real topic of this thread...FIN AID! We love it.</p>
<p>I'm so sorry you were waitlisted.I know how much attending Bates meant to you. All I can say is, Smith is lucky to still have you. :)</p>
<p>{{And a gi-normous wal-mart}}}</p>
<p>One of the most hysterical articles I have ever read was penned by a couple of Bates students who lived in the Wal-Mart for couple of days. If you can find it in the Bates campus newspaper archives, it should be required reading on how to write an incredibly well written and funny essay/narrative.</p>
<p>The Smith SGA van was def hi-jacked on the last trip up there to scope out the terrain.}}</p>
<p>What terrain? You mean Freeport and the malls? LOL</p>
<p>oh the places we went.</p>
<p>shotty bars.
red neck country square dancing establishments.
we passed throught the NH liquor and fireworks places.
ya know, the usual.</p>
<p>oh the places we went. shotty bars.}}</p>
<p>You and you fellow travelers who were under 21 got into bars how? An why did you, et al, <em>want</em> to go to shotty bars? Be careful how you answer that--LOL</p>
<p>{{we passed throught the NH liquor and fireworks places.}}</p>
<p>You have to pass BY the NH liguor store. Stopping isn't required. So did we breeze past the LS after the toll both or was there a small detour? :)</p>
<p>Paying attention to this Bjm8? :)</p>
<p>RLT you sound like the father of a smithie I know. just a guess.</p>
<p>clues:
1) you mentioned places in WA state in earlier posts
2) your daughter lives in emerson
3) you are married to a smithie
4) there is no way you could have known about the $1,000 a certain <em>club</em> at smith got to stay at the marriott on boston.</p>
<p>or I could be wrong. but most likely not :)</p>
<p>My fellow travelers could have been 21 and over. you never know.</p>
<p>{{or I could be wrong}}</p>
<p>I don't believe I mentioned where my daughter lived. Hundreds of kids are legacies.
WA State? Where did I mention that particular state, unless it was in reference to Microsoft?</p>
<p>{{there is no way you could have known about the $1,000 a certain <em>club</em> at smith got to stay at the marriott on boston.}}</p>
<p>Why not? Bunches ( my adult word of the day) of info. gets spilled by students all the time. :)</p>
<p>((umass x-country team))
Hundreds of dads know about them too?</p>
<p>((You're on the water? I'm jealous. I miss living on the ocean. We used to live on the North Shore and the ocean in Calif--- and you know I frequented Watch Hill, Mystic, Southport/Westport regularly))</p>
<p>my my...its looking grim for you.</p>
<p>((Or I could be wrong))</p>
<p>My attempt at being humble. Apparently 19 year olds "know everything" ...my parents tell me I think that way anyways.</p>
<p>It's ok, I'm not being a bad influence on your D. The liquor store in NH wouldn't even take my fake ID...</p>
<p>{{It's ok, I'm not being a bad influence on your D}}</p>
<p>The last thing Im worried about is you being a bad influence on my daughter.
Im more than capable of doing that without help. Trust me; youre a saint compared to some of my stunts.</p>
<p>{{my my...its looking grim for you}}----Well, a saint excpet for a few sarcastic remarks. I'll get even :)</p>
<p>Actually, I find your sense of self-worth, humor, morals and honesty refreshing. You're welcome in our home anytime you wish. You know that. I dont do laundry, however. Youre on your own. </p>
<p>fwiw-For your sake, I truly wanted you to be admitted to Bates.
Selfishly, Im thrilled youll be around and residing in the same house (I know about the move) so my kido will have a well grounded, bright friend such as yourself to enjoy next year with. Now if you could just teach her to bowl worth a darn, I would be eternally grateful.</p>
<p>Btw- the fine for getting caught with a fake ID is outrageous. When I forged certain documents in my youth, the powers that be simply confiscated the less than legal docs in question. Be careful or get a better ID that can pass closer scrutiny --lol</p>
<p>Thanks RLT!
You can direct fan mail to:</p>
<p>box ****
* Chapin Way
noho, ma</p>
<p>juuust kidding.</p>
<p>No I'm totally excited about living across the way next year. Bates is pretty much--almost-- forgotten. And don't worry your "fignort" D and I aren't going to be in the suite together. Apparently I smell or something....</p>
<p>I think its hampshire rubbing off on me.</p>
<p>And laundry? Please use environmentally friendly detergent, warm/cold, delicates. Thanks.</p>
<p>About the bowling: there is no help possible. sadly. even bumpers cant remedy it.</p>
<p>Thanks for the fake ID info...of course I really dont own one ;)</p>
<p>Back to fin aid: Wellesley's loans to low income students (Pell Grant Eligible)are $1K per year. Middle income students up to $12-13K total for all four years. Work study 8 to 12 hours per week. </p>
<p>Students are also allowed to replace ALL self help with outside scholarships = loans, student contribution and work study.</p>
<p>Self-help replacement is the same at Smith. (we had that issue - but of course would never had wanted to replace the STRIDE work-study. ;))</p>