I’m looking for good schools that offer good merit scholarships. I’m a senior and I know I’m a little late but I already applied and got accepted into schools I like that have become affordable with merit. I just wanted to try and apply to something like a top 50 school that I could possibly afford.
Preferred Major: Bio or Chem with pre-med track
Act: 34
Gpa: 3.9 (a lot of APs/honors)
Average academic achievement awards
ECs: basketball, track, community service
I could send resume for in detail EC just PM me
Tuition: I would hope for 10-20k tuition not including need-based financial aid (preferably on the lower end of spectrum)
I’m from illinois; also, I’m not looking into any flagship state schools as I already applied to the ones that I like. In terms of location, anything but west coast.
You’re right and I realize I might have missed opportunities but this is kind of a decision I just made since I already finished and even got accepted with scholarship at my matches/safeties. I was just thinking to try apply at a reach type of school that might be able to meet my merit scholarship needs.
@Deaston Maybe not a reach like harvard, but I’m sure there are top 50 schools that a 34 ACT and 3.9 GPA is in the the top 75% percent. Besides that fact, I just consider those schools a reach because even if I get in, most of these schools are expensive and barely offer merit so I wouldn’t attend there anyway. However, I was just hoping there must be some top 50 school in which I woulg get enough merit to possibly fit my fiancial needs and academic needs. If they’re is one, I’d be glad to hear about it.
@Period Wash U and Case Western have merit awards up to full tuition with separate application. So if you want a shot at the brass ring, those would be two options, and I believe the deadlines have not yet passed. Chicago has some merit awards but the amounts and selection criteria are not transparent.
Additionally Duke and Vanderbilt have large, highly competitive merit awards, but their deadlines may have passed.
It sounds like you want a large top 50 school, but I thought I’d weigh in. Our daughters both chose small liberal artisans have fared quite well, thus far. In general, there is a great deal of merit, particularly in the midwest, as these schools have less applicants than their coastal counterparts. That being said, our older daughter went to Occidental College in LA with a large merit scholarship and now is a research assistant at an Ivy League School on the East Coast. Our younger daughter had the above undergraduate option as well as a number of schools across the country and chose Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. She too received a large merit scholarship and has found the classes challenging and loves both the location (mid sized city) and the combination of both the arts and athletics. She is a biochemistry major. Just some other thoughts to think about. Their stats are pretty similar to yours.
@Period, there are several top-ranked LAC’s with great Bio/Pre-Med programs that have offer substantial merit aid - Grinnell and Oberlin offer up to $30k.
I believe Lafayette, Lehigh, and University of Rochester are top 50ish schools that offer decent merit aid. Several of the women’s colleges do as well.
Definitely check out Rochester. We’re also from Illinois and my daughter’s stats were very similar three years ago. They offered merit aid with her acceptance that was good enough to get cost-of-attendance into your budget. They also have opportunities for separate competitive scholarships that would provide even more. But you need to act fast! The early-consideration deadline may have already passed.
The Kiplinger “best value” lists show the average amounts of merit scholarships and the percentage of students who get them at private LACs and research universities.
Average awards at some USNWR top 50 LACs or top 50 RUs might be enough to drive the net tuition (but not the net COA) down to -$20K. Keep in mind though that merit and n-b aid generally don’t stack. The merit award probably will offset the amount of n-b aid you’d otherwise get.
BU and Syracuse. Vanderbilt admissions is VERY competitive. Their merit is bordering on ridiculous. Your stats are good but your ECs (per your own explanation) are just average. Vandy is likely a waste of time. I think you would line up quite well for merit at Syracuse.
Agree with @Rickle1 on difficulty of receiving a merit scholarship at Vanderbilt. Per their merit scholarship page attached, “Each year Vanderbilt awards merit-based scholarships to applicants who demonstrate exceptional accomplishment and intellectual promise. These students represent the top 1 percent of all freshman applicants to Vanderbilt, and with the limited number of merit scholarships available, the selection process is very competitive.” https://www.vanderbilt.edu/scholarships/
@Period Consider Pitt - multiple hospitals for shadowing, volunteering surround campus, lots of opportunity for research as undergrad with #5 nationally in NIH funding (among all higher ed both public and private). Premed has great advising. Rolling admission - simple application. Do the 3 short answer essays for scholarship considerations.
My kids both got c. $20k from U Miami and Northeastern. Others to check out are Villanova, BU, Pitt, both Loyolas and GWU. Unfortunately you have missed many deadlines, such as U Richmond. Can you take a gap year and apply again next year when you will be better prepared?