Help With College List Please

Parents Forum
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<p>I would greatly appreciate some suggestions from some of the parents here. My daughter is having trouble finding schools to apply to. Here’s her general profile.</p>

<p>Top 1-2% of class of 450.
Sat range 1450-1490/ 2200-2250 sat II range 700-800
GPA 94-95/104-105
Mostly AP (4’s & 5’s) Honors, University or Independent Study courses
Good but not outstanding list of ec’s – Pres Student Council, drama, Academic Competitions, Volunteer, Girls State, Work 15 hrs/wk, etc
A couple of summer programs that were by competition only entrance with scholarship
No NMS, athletics, national awards, published author, URM or other hooks. </p>

<p>We are limited by 2 very large factors – money and geography. To be feasible, we need to get college cost in the $10,000/yr or so range. That is lower than our EFC so we are looking at needing big merit aid that comes close to full tuition (Big Yikes!!) Secondly, she doesn’t do cold well at all and at this time has limited herself to colleges south of DC on the East Coast, Oklahoma/Arkansas and south in the Midwest, and non-California West Coast.</p>

<p>Here’s what she knows she likes in a college:
More collaborative than competitive
School spirit and sense of community
Heavy faculty/student interaction
Undergrad research opportunities
Religious affiliation doesn’t matter but wants a campus that is open-minded and accepting of “differences” – non-Christian religions, gays, both conservatives and liberals, etc.
Good track record of students going to grad and professional schools.<br>
Semester abroad option
Smaller Greek presence</p>

<p>Size is somewhat in flux. Very large definitely out. Feels best size for her is 3000-10,000 range. Would look at up to 15,000 range if honors program good and large enough to provide that smaller feel without being suffocating. Not sure about under 2000 but is considering this. Does prefer a campus that has a physically smaller, more intimate feel.</p>

<p>Prestige and ranking of little concern but wants at least a reasonable cadre of bright, engaged students. Doesn’t care if she is at top of academic heap or in the middle as long as there is enough bright, engaged, aware students around (honors at state school okay) to keep her mind engaged outside the classroom.</p>

<p>Probably psychology major but will get 2nd major or 2 minors and those are all over the place. Needs a school with enough options she can explore. </p>

<p>She knows she won’t get all these things in one place and she is willing to compromise on some considering the need for merit money. However, dealbreakers are uber competitive student body, lack of undergrad research opportunities, or a campus that she feels is fairly intolerant and unaccepting of diverse backgrounds and ideas. (doesn’t’ necessarily rule out homogenious student body if strides are being made on the acceptance front). </p>

<p>So far, she has really liked Elon, University of Tulsa (loves genuiness of Midwestern people) and the University of South Carolina. Elon and Tulsa probably not doable because of lack of substantial merit aid outside athletes and NMS but would go to either of those if there was enough merit money. USC at the upper edge of size desirability. </p>

<p>Liked pre-Katrina Tulane (will visit again she hopes), William and Mary (no merit aid and we are OOS), and Carleton, Pomona and Whitman (no or not enough merit aid plus geography doesn’t work) and UNC-Chapel Hill might be okay (again OOS and little merit aid for OOS student who is just another well rounded bright kid with no superstar status or other hook and liked South Carolina better). Still exploring American and has formed no real opinion on that one and SMU (honors) in Dallas is also still in consideration.</p>

<p>Did not like Hendrix, Clemson, Southwestern or Rice. Can’t see herself at a predominately Engineering/math school although she is strong in math/science areas. </p>

<p>I have been lurking for awhile now and have followed several parents quest for the optimum mix of merit aid and academic engagement. Still, my daughter is confused, frustrated and just wants to get on with senior year. We are more than willing to research suggestions but I think we are both currently in burnout mode and she needs some specific names to research that might fit some combination of her desires. I know this post is long but I am hoping by giving more info, something will jump out to one of the parents with more experience. Thanks.</p>

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<p>SMU may not be a good match even though it is a great school and particularly good for business and making those connections that will serve you later in life. Judging by the kids from our area who love it, it's heavily Greek (high "designer purse quotient") and low on "accepting of non-Christian, gays and liberals".</p>

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<p>Tulane really shouted out at me. My S loved it post-Katrina, altho had to transfer due to elimination of his engineering major. Tulane at the Honors dorm could be great for her - with merit aid possibilities very good. University of South Carolina also sounds good based on what I've seen here on cc.</p>

<p>Sorry I don't personally know of other schools that meet her criteria, but wanted to second her thoughts on those two.</p>

<p>Why "non-California" West Coast? Santa Clara U might work for her. I always suspected that my S' merit award was due in large part to his gender, since they are one of the many schools wanting to re-balance the gender ratio , but her stats are stronger than his were.</p>

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<p>I have not investigated size or merit aid, but how about Vanderbilt, Furman, Wake Forest, Davidson, Rhodes?</p>

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<p>Well, it's not warm, but it does offer great merit money: Denison University.</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=159719%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=159719&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://www.denison.edu/index.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.denison.edu/index.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>I was just thinking that it might be worth it to you to subscribe to the US News Premium online college site ($15/year). It has a lot of information about merit aid and financial aid. As I recall, it also has a list of schools known for good non-need based aid.</p>

<p>Also, be sure to read the merit aid threads listed as "Important" at the top of the parent forum.</p>

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<p>With her stats, American should be a saqfety and she should be in the running for Presidential scholar. D received that, and it is based on stats and grades, etc. PS receives full tuition 4 yrs. Just have to cover R&B, books, etc.</p>

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<p>What did she not like about Clemson? Engineering focus? Greeks? Just trying to pin down, before opening the big mouth ;).</p>

<p>I've heard such good things about Univ of Tulsa, I'm surprised that merit aid is so aimed toward NMF. My D had a similar profile, little bit higher SATs, but scored those on the "real" test, so was not a NMS. She got significant money from Alabama (although we are in state) - they advertise for NMF, but they award money by formula if you meet all the scholarship deadlines, they are not that far over 10K even without aid. BUT, lots of Greek related social life. UA does have a notable Af-Am presence.</p>

<p>She should cast a wide net, and concentrate on not falling in love with any particular school. Schools at the higher end of her size range will have many different types of kids, which may address some of her concerns.</p>

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<p>I will take a long shot here and say check out the University of New Mexico. A tier 2 school that is a little big perhaps but has a solid research background. New Mexico is enjoying the energy boom and they are investing it in the University.</p>

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<p>Lewis and Clark in Portland, OR is generous with merit aid and is actually a pretty good school. They also have non-binding early action (deadline 11/15) which makes it easy to use as a safety. EA makes the merit aid more likely.</p>

<p>Whitman is also very generous with merit aid so I'm not sure why you're saying it won't work--unless it's the cold weather thing?</p>

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<p>Thanks to everyone for all the responses. </p>

<p>dragonmom, I am not sure I understand why she was "sort of" okay with SMU but she really liked their honors program and director and knows a couple of people there on scholarship who definately are not rich, greek, preppy kids who seems to be doing okay.</p>

<p>jmmom, I think Tulane is rapidly moving to the top of her list and if their full tuition scholarship came through, I feel she could be very happy there. Someone else suggested Santa Clara to me so I will have her check it out but I'm not sure if I can get her to move past her California bias. </p>

<p>marite, Wake is off the list because of some people she knows there and I don't think she has the right mix of stats and impressive ec's for Davidson merit money. Her impression of Furman is that it is very conservative and somewhat intolerant? Is that impression wrong? I think Rhodes is too heavily Greek for her but at a larger school like Vandy, I don't think that would be as big a problem so I'm going to suggest that one again. </p>

<p>weenie, I want to go to Davidson!! Since I'm older, maybe I could get priority on one of the new senior apts. and I don't need to eat anyway so everything would be good. Thanks for the link. I'll look into premium edition of US News tonite. </p>

<p>ejr1, if American scholarship is primarily stats driven, it couldn't hurt to try. Thanks,</p>

<p>cangel, being the smallest Div I school, Tulsa does have to put a lot of scholarship money into athletes just to stay remotely competitive so I can understand that. And they use the NMF statistics to increase their academic prestige level so again I can understand although their most accomplished graduating seniors have tended not to be their NMF students. The rest of the money they choose to spread smaller amounts over a large number of students and they don't have a huge endowment. So, what happens is that outside of athletes and NMF, and Engineering which has its own endowment money, the largest merit amount tends to be around $10,000 which leaves a gap of $18,000 for direct costs and that is just more than we can handle. Elon is the same way in that they keep their costs low for a private and lots of people get money but largest out of state is about $9500. With costs at about $27,500, still leaves a gap of $18,000. </p>

<p>drizzit, We know absolutely nothing about the University of New Mexico so we will certainly look into that, especially if the state is willing to put money into their programs. May have to PM you for more info if she is intrigued.</p>

<p>dmd77, EA at Lewis and Clark may be a possibility. Haven't thought of doing early action anywhere so far. Whitman does give lots of merit aid but seems to be similar to Tulsa and Elon. They give a lot of grant aid within need which is great. But, aside from one full tuition scholarship, I do not see merit aid that would exceed about 12,500 if you don't excel in the arts or debate. AT a total cost of $40,000 a year, that would leave a huge gap. If I am wrong about this, I would love to hear what they do offer. </p>

<p>For the couple of people who have sent PMs, thanks to you also. Keep any other suggestions coming.</p>

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<p>zixxa - I presume you meant Denison :) and I want to got here too! Maybe we could be roommates!</p>

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<p>I'm not at all an expert on it, but Hendrix seems from what I've heard to have the kind of atmosphere your D is looking for. Not sure of merit aid, but anecdotally it's there. Your best bet for info on the schools you're looking for, esp Southern and merit money, is Curmudgeon. HIs D is at Rhodes on a huge scholarship, with tons of research possibilities, so he could tell you better how Greek the atmosphere is.</p>

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<p>Her stats are inline for the full scholarship at Tulane. </p>

<p>It is a separate application from the admissions application. We gave Furman serious consideration. My d did not feel like it was intolerant and neither did I. I would encourage a second look. </p>

<p>She would probably have a good chance at the University of Miami's full scholarship. Should probably look at Emory Scholars at Emory, the general rule of thumb is 1550 on the old scale (or something outstanding).</p>

<p>Oxford at Emory is a two-year college that feeds into Emory for the Junior and Senior. Their scholarships are very generous and would follow the student to Emory.</p>

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<p>This is my first post. I would like to hear any opinions on two California colleges--Pepperdine and Santa Clara. I do not see them discussed much. Does anyone here attend either of these, or are there any parents out there who could give me some insight? Thanks!</p>

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<p>I second University of New Mexico. They provide alot of Merit aid and have a diverse campus.</p>

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<p>zixxa - I'm sure she must be up on the Tulane merit awards, but just a heads up, if necessary. Their Founders and DSA (worth about $15K and $22K/year in my S's year) are automatically considered for every applicant. But the DHS required a special project and had an early-ish deadline, so she wants to be sure and watch for that.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

<p>lhg, thumper's D just headed off to Santa Clara, so she can provide some first-hand parent insight. My S considered it, both as a freshman applicant and for transfer after Tulane eliminated his engineering major. He was accepted both times, with merit $$ as a freshman. He did choose to go elsewhere, but it was a strong contender. It is mid-sized, very attractive California-Spanish style campus, in the middle of Silicon Valley with strong ties to local technology companies for kids interested in tech-related/business fields. It is, of course, a Jesuit school, but non-Catholic kids would usually feel quite comfortable there, as with most all Jesuit schools. Do you have specific questions?</p>

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<p>Claremont colleges in California?</p>

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<p>More collaborative than competitive
School spirit and sense of community*
Heavy faculty/student interaction*
Undergrad research opportunities*
Religious affiliation doesn’t matter but wants a campus that is open-minded and accepting of “differences” – non-Christian religions, gays, both conservatives and liberals, etc.*
Good track record of students going to grad and professional schools. *
Semester abroad option*
Smaller Greek presence*
... Occidental College seems like a good match. My daughter got good merit aid but she had lower stats than your dd. Perhaps you could do better.
We like the school because it is liberal around issues like diversity like her mom but works for her conservative dad because it is traditional at the same time. The Greek scene seems to be there but there is no pledging-and the some of the focus is on community service.8 minutes to downtown LA-Lots of internships and research possibilities. A good overseas program.
The campus is beautiful, lots of trees, grass, squirrels, raccoons, and other wild life-my daughter making the transition from rural area to LA so Oxy gives her a great vantage point to explore city life.I think it is in the top ten of schools that grads go on to PHDS. D is very happy.
Scripps also has great merit aid and my D got a very competitive package from Dickinson .</p>

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<p>I'd second Oxy and Scripps. (I know you said no CA schools but they do fit the profile and she would be very competitive I think) Also Rhodes. I suppose Knox is too cold--as well as other midwestern spots but they would probably have good merit options and one can learn to dress for the cold...Good luck..</p>