<p>I'm looking for LACs that offer at least full-tuition merit aid, although full-ride opportunities would be amazing. My stats are competitive for top schools (URochester and Beloit, which both guarantee to meet full-need, are my safeties) but although my parents are willing to pay the PROFILE EFC, it'd be a stretch and in the current economic situation I'd like to save them money if I can.</p>
<p>I will compromise on many qualities, but these are the firm requirements:
1. Cannot be religiously affiliated, unless the affiliation is equally nominal as Macalester's. I.e. I'm looking for a straightforwardly liberal campus, not moderate as many "liberal" religiously affiliated colleges tend to be.
2. Cannot be located in the Deep South. I'm willing to go as far south as Virginia along the East Coast and Iowa in the Midwest (Midwest in general is fine, though). I'm not comfortable with the "southern hospitality" culture, among other issues.
3. Must offer a major in Computer Science.
4. Not too preppy. This isn't a requirement per se, but I prefer quirky or at least mainstream schools.</p>
<p>Ideas? Thoughts? I've already looked at and loved Beloit, obviously, and I'm liking Denison as well. [This is in the Parents' Forum rather than FA because in my experience from digging through the archives, parents have the best information on merit aid.]</p>
<p>Grinnell is considered generous with merit aid (not sure about full tuition though...)
Kenyon and Bates give quite a bit of money too.
If you are a female, and willing to consider womens' colleges, check out Smith.</p>
<p>I've heard College of Idaho (formerly Albertson College) is trying to raise it's profile to be more like Whitman and, consequently, is generous with merit aid. Our college counselor had a client who got a full ride a few years ago and she was very impressed with the program. (Don't know anything about liberality, tho)</p>
<p>nngmm: Grinnell is on my list for the 2k loan cap, although I've also heard of its reputation for generous merit aid. Bates unfortunately doesn't offer a CS major; Kenyon's largest award is half of COA, which is about as much need-based aid I'd get anyway. Smith's merit aid also falls short. Thank you for the suggestions, though! (Just noting my conclusions for archival purposes.)</p>
<p>bingle: College of Idaho is a bit too small, and its academic core requirements too strict, for my tastes; but its merit aid program appears excellent.</p>
<p>Lewis & Clark in Portland, Oregon has merit aid and they offer full tuition scholarships to their most highly qualified applicants. I don't remember how many of those they give per year, but it might be worth looking into.</p>
<p>entomom: I've actually read that thread already, but curm--although a wonderful resource--is necessarily biased toward southern LACs, and his parameters are different from mine (I qualify for need-based aid as well).</p>
<p>are<em>we</em>there_yet: [I love your username!] Thanks for the pointer to L&C, I'll take another look at it.</p>
<p>Another update for lurkers/archives: Denison is more preppy, with the requisite drinking and partying, then I would like. A pity. (If anyone would like to counter such impressions, please feel free. It is quite generous with merit aid.)</p>
<p>My son is a freshman at Denison this year, received excellent merit aid (as did the other students from his high school that were accepted, all great students). Academically, Denison has been fantastic. Better than I could have ever imagined. They are emphasizing "how to think" not "what to think". Son is interested in Bio and really loves the science facilities and profs. Got 5 on AP Bio, but Denison doesn't let you get out of "first year Bio" because they do it in units and during each unit, groups of students work together to apply unit to real life problems and do extensive research to understand and answer the problem. As well, in his first year seminar writing class, they are studying the Spanish Conquest and looking at original documents (diaries, letters, ship manifests etc) and learning to question how we know what we know. So, in essence they are learning how to become life long learners. He loves it and finds it very balanced and stimulating.<br>
Class discussion occurs in all classes, even calculus. Students work together rather than against one another to learn. He has gotten to know the reference librarian very well and they are available even on Sunday night. </p>
<p>Anyway, I was a bit leary about Denison and its preppy reputation. We are from Vermont, so definitely not the preppy sort. Son does not find it to be any different than his Vermont public high school. Yes, there are a few overtly preppy types, but they are in the minority. Son says fraternities are "not that big a thing". Some of his friends will probably join, but he doesn't think he will and that doesn't affect their friendship. There are no Frat Houses, and kids live in dorms in groups of friends rather than fraternity members. The students for the most part are a balanced mix, enough to make it interesting. Son has gotten involved in the Republican and Democrat Clubs and the kids in dorm get together (a group of 30) to watched the Presidential Debates and had vigourous, yet respectful discussion. Freshman dorms are "alcohol free" which I was skeptical, but son says that is pretty much true...if kids want to party and drink, they go to the upper classman dorms. Of course, it does get rowdy at times(believe me, all colleges have drinking and partying problems), but seems somewhat controlled. So far (its been a month), I can say the his experience has offered outstanding academic and personal growth.</p>
<p>Have you looked at Whitman or St Olaf? I'm not too sure how big the awards get at Whitman. St Olaf can be generous if your scores are well above their norm.</p>
<p>St. Olaf requires religion classes; that definitely crosses the threshold of nominally religious. I know an Olaf alum who's awesome, though. Whitman doesn't offer a CS major.</p>
<p>Well, in my experience, religion classes are definitely NOT religious. They are infact, facinating the study of the different religions and their influence on history and policy etc.</p>
<p>vtmt: According to St. Olaf's catalog, the graduation requirements include 2 courses in historical Western culture and 2 courses in specifically Christian theology (one studying the Bible). But I agree that religious study requirements vary widely amongst colleges; that's why the college catalog is such a vital research tool.</p>
<p>garland: Thanks for the suggestions, I'll look into them!</p>
<p>Bard's full-tuition awards come with various caveats, such as commitment to a science or economics major. It's also a bit too far left for my taste (although I like L&C, go figure). </p>
<p>Does anyone know about Drew's "vibe"? What is the atmosphere like? I'm also interested in how F&M has developed on the Greek front, but there appears to be much more anecdotal information on F&M than on Drew.</p>
<p>I know you aren't interested in the "deep south," but you might look at Hendrix College
(Conway, Arkansas--outside of Little Rock). Was nominally Methodist, but any or no religion is OK there.</p>
<p>Hendrix is VERY generous with merit aid. You'll find lots of liberal quirky students/diversity there. No greeks.</p>