<p>Have her take a look at the AITU universities ([Association</a> of Independent Technological Universities: AITU](<a href=“http://theaitu.org%5DAssociation”>http://theaitu.org)). Most of them have very good physics programs and there are some smaller schools which might fit her well. A number of them offer excellent merit scholarships or have some full ride programs to attract students like your daughter.</p>
<p>As Texas residents, we made/are making our kids pick at least one TX public to put on their list. D1 was a top 10% (now I guess the hurdle is top 8%) so she was guaranteed admission. In the end, because we received no financial aid from the publics, the difference out-of-pocket between UT and her first choice private U was only $5000. She chose the private, but it was a tough choice. She really liked the atmosphere and school spirit at UT.</p>
<p>One more suggestion that may (its tricky) work is to look at the CV’s (resumes) online of the professors at the colleges. You might see that most attended state colleges and then for masters and phd went to a more selective college. Academically these state colleges can provide intellectually stimulaing and challenging schooling for people who were smart enought to go on to a PhD. Lead her to the water and let her drink.</p>
<p>It worked for my DD and we got her in comfortably at a financial safety and she is now in senior year, double majoring, adding a certificate and looking at grad school.</p>