<p>The Emory Scholars program awards around 150 scholarships ranging from 2/3 tuition to full rides. Of course, selection is very competitive. I know a couple Emory Scholars–both have very impressive extracurricular records in addition to good grades and scores. (ETA: then again, I come from a pretty saturated area in terms of Emory Scholar nominees. [points to location bar])</p>
<p>If excellent undergrad science-research opportunity is the goal, your son should give Brandeis very serious consideration. As mentioned, if his stats are excellent, he might receive substantial merit aid as well. The Brandeis sciences faculty is excellent and committed to undergraduate education as well as cutting edge research and graduate education. It is the nurturing quality of that faculty and their mentoring that attracted and benefitted Rod MacKinnon, an undergraduate and a classmate of mine at Brandeis in the late 70’s. He returned after medical school to pursue post-doc studies there. In 2003 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Clearly, a nurturing, undergraduate-oriented atmosphere can may make the difference in a student’s future. </p>
<p>On a related note, Edward Witten, the Fields Medal winning Physicist (sometimes called “Einstein’s successor”) was an undergrad at Brandeis as well and went on to take his graduate training at Princeton. Perhaps another example of how a small, nuturing undergraduate program can lead to great success in science.</p>
<p>If you haven’t seen it, you should watch the interview on the Brandeis website with Greg Petsko, Professor of Biochem, who left MIT to come to Brandeis. He discusses his reasons as to why he found Brandeis to be, in his words, “a better place” to teach and for his students to learn. Here’s a link to the “video tour” page which you may need to paste into your browser: [url=<a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/admissions/videotour/]Tour[/url”>http://www.brandeis.edu/admissions/videotour/]Tour[/url</a>]. Then, you may need to click through to the faculty interviews to find Petsko.</p>
<p>If merit aid is important, don’t bother with Swarthmore, unfortunately. I believe the same is true of Amherst and Williams. That kind of school already gets more merit-level kids than they can handle and don’t give merit scholarship.</p>
<p>However, I have heard great things about Brandeis and Case Western Reserve–I know a really smart kid who got a great scholarship to the latter. And sometimes applying to Brandeis is even free (my kid got an invitation to apply for free–does everyone? Not sure). I’ve heard great things about Carnegie Mellon. And if you really want to save money and have a sciency kid, don’t forget Cooper Union in New York City. It’s free!</p>
<p>Did you put the right link in? What I read was all about SAT/ACT - not good college options for a future science research wannabe.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth. My oldest took the ACT and SAT once - scored well - and was done. I expect the same for this son, except he’ll be even higher. I can’t see taking them multiple times unless there was a major issue with one of the tests that caused a problem (illness or whatever).</p>
<p>Brandeis seems like a good addition to consider. Thanks! </p>
<p>My next question. As a family, we’re right of center politically (not far right, but certainly not left). People I’ve been talking to have warned me about sending students to schools where they get a liberal indoctrination to an excess - in pretty much all classes.</p>
<p>Are any of these schools truly open to students that might side more with the Young Republicans instead of Democrats (and Libertarian more than either)?</p>
<p>Are science fields immune from politics?</p>
<p>Interacting with people of differing beliefs (political or otherwise) is not a problem. We have diversity in our extended family (as well as neighbors and peers) and all get along well. But indoctrination is not something any of us would prefer.</p>
<p>Or is this a question I need to leave off this board due to pc?</p>
<p>I guess we’ll sort first due to academics and likelihood of fit and pare down based on visits.</p>
<p>Before I get to your latest question I wanted to add another school I’ve heard good things about: Carnegie Mellon. </p>
<p>Probably most of the top schools are pretty strongly liberal, I would have to say. If that is a concern, you might want to look more at some of the southern schools or more strictly science schools. Think about schools like UVA, Washington and Lee, Suwanee, maybe Elon, Texas A & M (that is actually a GREAT choice for science), Rice (has lots of scholarships, great school), University of Richmond, etc.</p>
<p>Creekland, I’m more to the left of center on most issues, but share your concerns. I would not want my kid being led by the nose by anyone (left, right, up, down, or inside out). I do think some on the Far Right tend to exaggerate the problem, but they are probably correct there is a certain herd mentality at many schools.</p>
<p>I think you would find the University of Chicago a very civil, balanced place in this respect. Opinions will run the gamut (from very far Left to fairly Right, with many Libertarian or free market conservative types). Professors typically will insist that whatever your opinion, you examine it against reason and facts.</p>
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<p>Are you kidding? Global Warming, anyone? Defense contracting? Stem cell research? All the privacy, censorship, and intellectual property issues raised by new computing and telecom technologies? Big Science is rife with political controversy.</p>
<p>As someone pointed out, apply for Emory Scholars and you may get selected to get 2/3 scholarship or a full ride. The students that get this scholarship usually get into HYP and so Emory uses this to bring them to campus. My point is… if your grades, ECs, essays, scores are good enough, then it could be worth a shot. </p>
<p>Also, I do not really think Emory has a reputation of having smart kids that party on weekends. Isn’t that Vanderbilt? Emory is more cut down the middle… smart kids who party… smart kids who study.</p>
<p>I second Grinnell. Outstanding chemistry dept-in fact all their sciences are excellent - beautiful new facilities on an attractive campus, and a huge endowment which means both merit aid and lot of financial support for undergrad research. The understated midwestern vibe and work ethic are strong despite the fact that 50% of the students come from outside the midwest, 11% of the student body is international, and all the activities on campus are free. The only negative is it could be an unpleasant drive in bad weather to where you are located.</p>
<p>How much can your family spend each year towards this younger child’s education. That amount will likely play heavily into his application list. If your family can only pay - say - $10-15k per year, then you’ll need to find schools that will cover all of his tuition. Getting $10k/yr in merit won’t cut it - if the cost is $55k per year (or higher by the time he gets to college a few years from now.).</p>
<p>You say that his soph PSAT likely triggered the mailings. What was his soph PSAT?</p>