<p>Here's a bit more information, to answer some of the questions raised so far.</p>
<p>DD is a harpist and wants to double-major in music and an academic field (probably English or political science). The one non-negotiable is that the college must have a harp teacher. That factor has knocked several potential in-state schools off the list. The overall caliber of the music program is also important, although she is equally interested in a strong overall liberal arts education and doesn't plan to go the conservatory route.</p>
<p>Her music could put her in the running for some talent-based merit money, although it seems to me that music awards tend to be less lucrative than academic ones. (And the ensuing music career would also be less lucrative ... sigh. That's one reason she wants to be prepared for a different direction for graduate school -- possibly law school.)</p>
<p>The music factor makes it more challenging to crank out multiple applications, since many of the schools will require auditions, either for admission or for scholarships. Some -- especially those a long way from home -- may accept a recording in lieu of a live audition, but a live audition is generally preferred.</p>
<p>LAC or university? Either is probably acceptable to her. All other things being equal, she'd probably prefer the LAC environment. Most of the schools on her list are small -- and in many cases she might be the only harp student, or one of just two or three. We don't know whether that's good or bad. One of the schools has a larger harp program with about a dozen students and a teacher that dd dearly loves, but it's unaffordable unless significant aid comes through. </p>
<p>Other factors: She's conservative (politically and socially) and prefers to avoid party schools. She'll consider schools with a conservative-liberal balance and lively debate that respects both sides, but a campus dominated by the liberal viewpoint would be rejected. A Christian college would be a plus; half the schools on her short list are Christian. She likes the South (warm weather, closer to home), but that's negotiable; two of her short-list schools are in the North. </p>
<p>She thinks she can improve her ACTs and will be re-taking. She hasn't taken SATs yet (and may not); she does plan to take three SATIIs.</p>
<p>One of her match/reaches is expensive but is known for giving many merit awards of varying sizes - half tuition, 3/4 tuition, full tuition. The other match/reach doesn't give huge merit scholarships but instead keeps the overall expenses low for all students; it's one of the most affordable schools on her list.</p>
<p>Two of the remaining four are numbers-driven -- if you get the numbers, you get the dollars. In one case this includes class rank, which makes it a bit more dicey, since other people's performance will affect her numbers. </p>
<p>The other two are more like Curmudgeon's description of Rhodes. One gives a true full ride -- tuition, room, board, fees -- but only to four students. The next rung down its scholarship ladder is a long way down. The other gives a variety -- half tuition, 3/4 tuition, full tuition. We don't know the typical distribution of these awards, but we don't think they would be awarded in huge numbers, because it's not a huge school.</p>
<p>By the way, her 4.0uw is actually straight A's. She doesn't have access to AP courses, and her school doesn't weight grades. She has taken several community college courses, again with straight A's.</p>
<p>She expects to have the Congressional Award Gold Medal and National Merit Commended by the time applications are due.</p>