<p>Pleasant surprise with a great new president is DePauw University in Greencastle IN</p>
<p>historymom, I am put off by core curriculums in general. If the advising is good, students should be able to explore on their own and gain breadth how they like. I will probably take some religion classes in college regardless, because I'm fascinated by the concept of faith; however, I resent being required to do so by a college because of its historical affiliation. If a religious affiliation is still important enough to mandate religion classes, then the religious affiliation is still too important for me.</p>
<p>Keil, I have a tip for you (meant in a friendly, non hostile way so take it in the way it was offered): You don't have to respond to posters who make suggestions that you don't intend to take. You don't have to criticize core curricula, the South, the Deep South, Hospitality culture (whetever you meant by that), preppies, religion and the schools that teach it, etc. You will find parents here very helpful and open-minded; if you are asking for advice you might try to model your own behavior after that.</p>
<p>And may I also suggest that if money and CS are the key drivers of your search, you may need to let aesthetics, preppiness, core curriculum, etc. go by the way side. You will not be the only HS senior this year who is chasing after a finite supply of merit money and you would be well advised to keep an open mind if a school is prepared to pay you to go there.</p>
<p>blossom, I understand your advice but do not intend to take it--nor do I intend to remain silent on the matter, as you can see. I'm not a tactful person IRL or online. Notice that never do I criticize or comment on posters; I respect everyone's opinions, but I do feel the need to reply with my own. My personal philosophy is that silence still equals a white lie, and I always strive for truth--even if people may be offended in the process.</p>
<p>Finances are an important consideration, but I do qualify for need-based aid and have made up a strong list of schools based on that; frankly, I don't want to add schools that are worse fits just for their merit money. And I am eternally grateful to my parents for the opportunity to be so picky.</p>
<p>In my search for lesser-known hidden gems, I have two vital considerations: financial aid and academics. I plan to double-major in CS and English with a possible French minor; even if this plan changes, as I'm sure it will, any school I choose must make this path feasible. Thus my dislike of core curriculums stems from both principle and necessity.</p>
<p>For archival purposes, I'd also like to add that Goucher offers full-tuition merit aid. I'm considering it with an open mind despite social concerns. If anyone has further information, especially anecdotal, on Lewis & Clark or Goucher, I would love to hear.</p>
<p>DS and I toured Goucher last month, along with a couple of other schools. It didn't start off as a favorite, but after visiting, is definitely the favorite of the schools we visited. Friendly and very enthusiastic students, amazingly involved faculty, beautiful campus - it felt like a small community. I think DS will be offered aid as it is quite expensive, but I would encourage you to keep an open mind and check it out.</p>
<p>I applaud your integrity and drive!</p>
<p>Keilexandra-</p>
<p>If financial concerns are a big factor, I think it will be important to realize that there are many, many, many academically superior students applying to all schools that offer significant financial support. I am not saying you would not be competitive, but please factor in that this is very competitive. Please make sure you apply to ture academic safeties that offer financial support. I worry that many students don't include "financial safeties" just in case the financial aid at more academically competitive schools does not come through.</p>
<p>Haven't posted in awhile but this thread seemed to strike me. I also detect, an almost overconfident tone from the OP. With the economy as we all know, things are tighter for all and everyone will be seeking colleges that may not have been on their radar even a month ago. The reason I say overconfident, every poster on this site can share more than one story about their students, friends, relatives...who thought those merit aids were a given. Were surprised beyond belief that the financial package included LOTS of LOANS and that met the label of meeting need. I applaud the OP for seeking answers and advice but please be careful and forewarned. Has the actual profile of the OP been shared to help assess the probability of merit aid?</p>
<p>I am applying to UDel as the ultimate financial safety, but it's not a "true safety" because I REALLY don't want to go there. Admissions-wise, my safeties are URochester and Beloit, which both guarantee to meet full need--and I'm not dependent on solely merit aid, thankfully. It would just be a nice bonus.</p>
<p>bluejay: I have more detailed profiles in previous threads, but in short: 219 10th PSAT (2170 SAT in 8th grade), 4.0UW, will have taken 6 APs by graduation (2 this year as a junior). I'm on track to maintain straight A's junior year; my school, a competitive public magnet, does not release class rank. ECs are about average--club leadership and semi-unique activities outside of school, but no sports. Essays should be good as I'm planning to major in English and have extensive creative writing experience. I don't know if this qualifies me as overconfident; I do think that I have a shot ("merit match" as curmudgeon would say) at top awards from URoch, Beloit, L&C, etc., and for parental reasons I can't consider schools academically too far below UDel (which is guaranteed for me).</p>
<p>keilexandra: Thanks for your reply. To add on, it wasn't your chances of acceptance that seemed overconfident but your chances of receiving the top merit awards. For example, how many full tuition awards are given at University of Rochester? I believe their COA is over $50,000 now. If your parents are willing and able to contribute $25,000 per year then you would be in pretty good shape. Do any of the schools you are considering meet need without loans? With new limits on Stafford loans you can probably expect to be offered the min of just under $20,000 for four years. I will never get why loans are considered as a way to meet need but it's a fact. You are obviously well-versed on Udel. I personally know 2 OOS DUPont scholars who have had excellent experiences there. Bests of luck on your continued search. You won't find a better place than CC to aid you in the process.</p>
<p>My parents are willing to contribute 20k+ to my education, but they have their own opinions on what schools are "worth" paying for. And I'm definitely applying to as many no-loan/capped-loan schools as I feel are remotely a fit. I am aware that top merit awards are extremely competitive; the only way to better the odds is to apply broadly, which requires finding more schools that fit the bill.</p>
<p>UDel is a very good school. But in several ways--size, location (I really want to get out of Delaware), curriculum, (lacking) strength of English and Creative Writing--it's not a good fit for me. And unfortunately, Delaware doesn't have any other decent in-state options.</p>
<p>So you still have a year -plus, before you apply to colleges. There will be a lot changing in the next year....</p>
<p>Many of the previously suggested schools are great schools, but not for CS. I recommend considering University of Michigan -- they offer some large merit scholarships, though they are difficult to win. University of Maryland is also strong in CS, but I don't know about merit scholarships there. Small LAC's are generally not the best places for studying CS.</p>
<p>anxiousmom: Very true. Unfortunately, judging from the current economic status, college FA will probably not change for the better.</p>
<p>anneberm, UMich and UMD are both wonderful schools but WAY too big for me. I would rather have excellent humanities programs and a small LAC setting with relatively weak CS than the opposite (large school with strong CS). My interest in CS is also tentative and superceded by my love of language. That said, do you know of any lower-tier small LACs strong in CS (relative to other LACs--I've had to eliminate many wonderful schools like Occidental and Bates due to lack of CS, period)?</p>
<p>Keilexandra, you also might consider UMBC or U. of Maryland Baltimore County. The school has a solid scholarship program and the sciences are excellent. The humanities are also good. We toured the campus about 18 months ago. My oldest son, who is a senior, liked the place but not enough to apply. My youngest, however, said it will be on his list when he applies in five years -- and he has taken a lot of college tours with us.</p>
<p>UMBC isn't small enough to be an LAC (that would be St. Mary's College of Maryland, which unfortunately doesn't offer much scholarship money after OOS tuition); but thank you very much for the suggestion!</p>
<br>
<blockquote> <p>love of language & CS = Linguistics! </p> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>Just a thought. :)</p>
<p>^ Yes, that's pretty much how I decided that ling would be a bonus plus in my college search, though not necessarily a driving focus. XD But I've never had the chance to really study linguistics, so it didn't make sense to eliminate LACs (a LOT of them) based on lack of ling.</p>
<p>Check out Brandeis. They award some full-tuition scholarships and have a relatively large CS faculty, as well as a new building.</p>
<p>I've ruled out Brandeis for religious reasons, but it's definitely a useful suggestion and almost LAC-sized--thank you!</p>