Finding a good college fit?

<p>As NJ resident with 1510 SAT's you know you willl qualify for The College Of NJ program, full tuition, room and board, and lap top....maybe even the Honors Program?</p>

<p>Muhlenberg-excellent bio/ science/premed reputation and just opening a new Neuroscience building. You would qualify for their top Merit Money-plus the additional 3,000 awards. Again, Honors Program for you there, too.
Frat scene limited, the theatre arts program is renown, so the campus isn't too preppy. Regular Trips to NYC, and Phila is 1 hour away.
I would recommend the Fall Open House. </p>

<p>Univ of Miami offered friend's son 3/4 scholarship for 1400 SAT's.</p>

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<p>42% of Rhodes students received a merit award this year. I think you are in good shape for a nice award. If you choose to apply let them know you are serious about attending. Direct contact with your adrep is the way to go. They can be quite the advocate when they believe in you.</p>

<p>My D has been there 5 days and it keeps getting better. Everything has been top shelf. The amazing thing about Rhodes , compared to some of its peers, is that there is a tremendous amount of geographic diversity (77% OOS) . D's suitemates are from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Maine, Connecticut, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas . It really makes a difference. It seems these kids are all committed to making campus life great.</p>

<p>Among the bigger name schools I"ll also trumpet Rice, Emory, Vandy, and Davidson, UMiami and WashU.

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<p>Thanks a bunch, you are my Rhodes connection lol. The problem is my parents have never heard of Rhodes and they are like "Tennessee???". I had a had time convincing them that Davidson is a great school. I suppose it isn't their fault but even after two kids they only really know the big namers</p>

<p>I see alot of people suggesting Rice, Emory, Vandy, and WashU; but they're all reaches and I'm in shorter supply of safeties and matches than reaches. I already have Davidson, UVA, and Chapel Hill pretty much for sure and maybe Duke and/or William and Mary. Right now TCNJ and maybe Rhodes are my only match-type schools</p>

<p>Cesky, a little more advertising, my D's high school is sort of a feeder school for Rhodes - last year out of a class of 135, 3 went to Rhodes, each year there is at least 1 - Rhodes is known for being fairly generous with merit aid, so if you don't need full tuition covered, just some help, and follow Curmudge's advice, you might get a good award.</p>

<p>OP, I know that southern and midwestern schools are not highest on your list but other schools you may like are Ohio Wesleyan, Illinois Wesleyan, Wooster, Denison, Centre, Millsaps, Austin College, Southwestern, Furman, and check out Oxford at Emory- for the right kid that can be a heck of an admissions bargain. In the Northeast Wheaton and Trinity have aggressive new merit aid programs and Providence and Villanova have some interest in stealing top students. Willamette and Lewis and Clark have been mentioned out west and Willamette especially looks good to me. Check out the merit v. need threads, the liberal arts one is still featured, maybe you'll see something you like.</p>

<p>I don't think Vandy is a reach for you -- my S got in this yr with a nice scholarship, with lower SATs than yours. And as a dime a dozen pre-med guy. Great school that seems to fit all your criteria. </p>

<p>A trip to TN may be in order -- Vandy, Rhodes, and Sewanee are all great options. Some driving, but then when isn't there? Maybe we'll cross paths with S2 as he hits the visiting trail in those directions.</p>

<p>Cesky
take a look at the University of Southern California , USC. Lots of merit and financial aid $$- I believe 66% of students are receiving $$, the campus is compact considering the size of the school-16,000, and with your stats you would have a very good chance of getting at least $9000. How were you PSAT's? If you are a National Merit finalist, then you have automatic 1/2 off tuition. The beach is about a half hour away, and the school is rising in rankings fast, as they are becoming more attractive to top students.</p>

<p>FYI: most of the student body at Duke, Emory, Vandy and WashU are from the Northeast. I would suggest Davidson, Rice, UVa, W&M or W&L for the best Southern experience.</p>

<p>Emory Student Body:
South 39%
Mid-Atlantic 22%
Midwest 12%
New England 8%
West 7%
Southwest 5%
International 6% </p>

<p>Vanderbilt:
New England 4.3%
Midwest 14.7%
South 45.6%
Middle States 11.9%
West 6.6%
Southwest 8.0%
U.S. Territories .1%
International 8.5%
Unspecified .3% </p>

<p>... Duke/ WashU did not give specific regionial statistics, but you get the point.</p>

<p>I concur with all the recommendations that have been made. Here's just a couple others to chew on. The colleges and universities mentioned in both the Midwest and South (including Texas) are bargains relative to their Northeast competitors. </p>

<p>Here's a couple more to put on the radar. Consider University of Denver, a mid-size school in a wonderful city. Merit dollars are good and their honors program is a solid one. Check out their website. (Condi Rice went there.)</p>

<p>My next one is an oldie but goodie favorite of mine - University of Tulsa (TU). The merit dollars for you would be excellent. It's a mid-size university (less than 5,000 students with 2800 undergraduates) with a handsome campus in a city of 400,000 that offers a bunch to its residents. TU's students regularly win nationally competitive scholarships such as Goldwater (for science and math) and Truman Scholars (public service oriented). Take a quick peak at TU's website as it is really one of the passed over gems.</p>

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FYI: most of the student body at Duke, Emory, Vandy and WashU are from the Northeast. I would suggest Davidson, Rice, UVa, W&M or W&L for the best Southern experience.

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<p>I'm not really looking for a Southern experience specifically. Plus W&L freaks me out</p>

<p>I would just comment that the "southern experience" is REALLY different between W&L and Rice!</p>

<p>I agree with jenskate. I would never use the word 'Southern' to describe Rice, or even the city of Houston. It is urbane, diverse and many of Rice's students are from out of state. Never met a person who didn't step off Rice's campus after a visit with stars in their eyes...it is a wonderful school.</p>

<p>I would echo that Rhodes might be a good fit for you. My freshman son was also looking for a school that was in a city as opposed to a school in a very rural environment. Memphis offers a lot of opportunities, good music, professional sports, night life, it is a real city. We too ran into the response that people in our part of the world, southern Ohio, have never heard of Rhodes, but we were won over. Centre, in Kentucky would be worth a look too. It is only 1/2 hour from Lexington and at least has some shopping and restaurants right in Danville.</p>

<p>If W&L freaks you out,why is Davidson special to you?</p>

<p>While similar on paper, I feel like they are really different. Davidson is less conservative, more diversified in terms of points of view, and stroger in the sciences. The greek scene isn'y quite as overwhelming as at W&L and W&L is right next to a military school. Davidson has Charlotte close by, which is a really cool city. I think they get lumped together too much because they are the best LACs in the South</p>

<p>Forgive me if I'm repeating. One of the most unique features of Rice is the residential college system (no Greek system) which was the main draw for my d when she made application. And you have the added advantage of being an oos candidate. Btw, your stats seem more than adequate for Rice to me. I love that description of Rice (was it in Texas Monthly?) that described Rice as being like Hogwarts. When we visited, we laughed and though how true it was. (Though the Rice kids probably get sick of the comparison by now. :-)</p>

<p>Any nice safety ideas? There's TCNJ and then i don't know</p>

<p>i guess ill give you a recommendation. you may want to look at pepperdine university. BEAUTIFUL campus (it overlooks Malibu.) has a biology program, and, with your stats, I am sure its a safety for you. I am not too sure about the financial aid, though. sorry i can't help you more...</p>

<p>Occidental College seems like it would fit your criteria.Great campus-strong science department. Lots of merit aid. Close to downtown LA about a half hour to the beach, 10 minutes to Pasadena a great place to hang out near by. Kind of has a traditional feel with a liberal overlay. Conservative husband, liberal wife both loved it and my D could not be happier.</p>