<p>@ucbalumnus: So it’s based more on individual schools and students from those schools rather than, say, certain “tiers” of schools? For example, if I’m applying to graduate school for economics, I might be better off with a school with less general prestige and a well-known economics department than, say, an Ivy not especially renowned for its econ. department (although maybe that’s not the best example because all the Ivies seem at least somewhat well-respected for econ.)?</p>
<p>I just got back my ACT scores, and I ended up getting a 35. Does that increase my chances for merit aid from schools like the LACs on the list in this thread at all from the 33 I had expected?</p>