Merit Semifinalist/National Hispanic Scholar Going in 100 different directions

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hi,
We are having a very good problem - but still overwhelming to me. My daughter is both a National Merit SemiFinalist (hopefully a finalist, don't know yet) and National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar. What a great problem. Her Math + Critical Reading scores are 1440. I would bet she'll be in the top of her class, not sure. She goes to a very good high school.
That said - the college search is driving me crazy.
We are in Indiana, and before this National Merit thing happened, we were pretty settled on IU Bloomington. Now we are getting mail from all over the country, and some pretty nice offers. The problem is, we don't have time and money to visit a lot of these places - so I'll list her areas of interest and some of the possible schools and see what you all suggest. </p>

<p>PS - We have NOTHING saved for college for her - a small account and it was wiped out pretty much in the economic downturn, so we cashed it in and she is using it to take a couple of college classes this year, while simultaneously a senior in high school.</p>

<p>Interests/Possible Majors: Journalism/International Studies/Documentary Creation/Philosophy/Political Science/Communications, that sort of thing. She is a good writer and a socially conscious girl.</p>

<p>Personality: Vegan, Loves Biking, Loves big cities (She thinks, anyway), wants to see the world, wants culture, for some reason has it stuck in her head that she wants to go to Seattle/Portland although they aren't coming forth with much merit aid and money is VERY important. Currently a student in a Catholic high school but not terribly interested in more Catholic school stuff. That said, I doubt most Catholic colleges shove that sort of thing down your throat. They seem pretty welcoming of all students. I think. She wants the full college experience - location is as important as the college experience. </p>

<p>Schools on our Short List - as of TODAY: Westminster in SLC Utah. Fordham in NYC. Ithaca, if she can make the Park Scholar, which is very competitive I understand. IU Bloomington (our fall back college and the one I am most comfortable with because I can drive down and get her if needed). That's it for now - she has expressed some interest in Berkeley but it doesn't look likely to be a good candidate.
My questions are - how do we know when its time to drive out or fly out and see a campus? She doesn't care about sports or school spirit - really - but would probably be happy in a school that was diverse, not all preppy nerdy - forgive my forwardness I don't know how else to put it. Which of these schools are good/great schools for her areas of interest? Which are going to have the most diverse students? Which are going to offer lots of options for a budding activist? : ) </p>

<p>This girl has tons of potential, and I want her to be all she can be, but I also want to channel our energy and money into a positive direction - not chase after unrealistic schools.</p>

<p>Full rides are mainly coming in from the south - and she just isn't thrilled with the idea of Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska or even Florida. </p>

<p>Thanks for listening.
Wendy</p>

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<p>If I am reading you correctly, it sounds like you are looking for merit aid, but may also be eligible for some amount of need-based aid? If so, check your family’s EFC on a calculator such as the ones on collegeboard.com to get an approximation of what costs you can expect, and how they compare to IU.</p>

<p>As far as making NMF, if she keept her grades up and her behavior in check, she should not have a problem making finalist. You can (almost) take it to the bank.</p>

<p>Merit aid is getting so hard to find. It takes a lot of applications with one goal in mind - affordability. Would she look at Beloit or Oberlin? Denison, DePauw, Rhodes College? I mean, not everyone on campus has to be vegan, right?</p>

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<p>First off, congratulations - you must be very proud! As you’re finding out, students who do well on the PSAT get inundated with mailings from colleges.</p>

<p>Since it appears finances will be a big factor, you should check out this thread:</p>

<p>[thread=649276]NMF Scholarships: An Updated Compilation[/thread]</p>

<p>While many of the schools on the list are less prestigious or competitive (and as you’re finding, many are in the south or southwest), there are a few which might meet many of your wants/needs. For instance, DS and I were very impressed with Evansville in your state - certainly worth a visit.</p>

<p>I won’t give you a list of schools (I’m sure others will make suggestions of their favorites, though), but you shouldn’t just limit your search to places with guaranteed up-front merit money. There are a lot of very good schools which will likely offer her fantastic merit aid packages, so while you’ll need to have a financial safety in hand, at this point, I’d concentrate on identifying schools which best meet her criteria. You don’t need to visit right away - you can learn a lot from their websites. While visiting is ideal, it’s OK to apply to places you’ve never seen. Once she’s accepted and has an acceptable FA package is when you have to decide whether to visit (and if she’s potentially going to spend 4+ years there, why wouldn’t you?).</p>

<p>Good luck with your search!</p>

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<p>Fordham offers full scholarships to National Merit Semifinalists who come from Jesuit schools, but I’m sure, since your daughter is a National Hispanic Scholar from a Catholic school, they will have maximum incentive to offer her a full ride. Fordham is a wonderful school, and she would have a traditional, satisfying college experience there.</p>

<p>Do consider Columbia University, however. It’s the most ethnically and socioeconomically diverse of the national universities, and she may even get a special “Scholar” designation there along with a fantastic financial aid package.</p>

<p>Finally, since she as at the top of her class with these Honors, she should consider Harvard. They would give a financial aid package that would match or even surpass that of any other school. Harvard is, of course, a vibrant intellectual community, and only twenty minutes away from Boston.</p>

<p>If applying to these schools is financially non-feasible, consider applying for Fee Waivers. The 65-75 dollar application fees can add up, but they shouldn’t stop your daughter and your family from applying.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>Check out the Hispanic Students subforum (under College Admissions). It contains lots of information about NHRP scholarships and other resources for Hispanic students.</p>

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<p>You say you have no savings–but how much can you pay out of income, and how much are you willing to cover in loans? My current favorite NMF scholarship school is URochester–top 50 by USNWR, snowy, known as a science school but has surprisingly good humanities programs–with a guaranteed 22k NMF scholarship. Granted, that leaves 28k+ left to be paid; but if you and your D take 5k in loans each per year, and she covers miscellaneous expenses over 50k with workstudy, that leaves a more reasonable 18k to pull out of income.</p>

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<p>Are you saying that Rochester guarantees $22K to NMFs? That’s news to me. Rochester was my S’s safety school, and they offered him a $10K per year merit scholarship plus a tiny amount of need based aid. Given that our EFC was close to zero, this was laughable. He was a NMF. Luckily he didn’t have to go to his safety.</p>

<p>OP, this is not to diminish her accomplishments at all, but I hope that you are aware that just because schools send mail to your D doesn’t mean that they will accept her, and just because scholarships are available doesn’t mean that they will award that money to her.</p>

<p>If you need serious financial aid, she should try for the proverbial brass ring: the deep pockets, need-blind, meets 100% of need schools. Her URM status will help her. Her SATs are in the range for those schools, although not at the top of their pool. She should probably look a couple of Ivies or other schools at that level, as well as some top LACs–all of which are great places for budding writers. Don’t worry about a journalism major. Although there certainly are some places with good undergraduate journalism/communications schools (Northwestern, Syracuse, et al) many, if not most, people go into that field without a degree in it. Instead they major in a writing-heavy field, work on the college paper, and do internships.</p>

<p>It’s important that kids with good stats who need a lot of FA cast a wide net. I concur that you should run some online calculators and see what your EFC looks like.</p>

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<p>^In 2009 it was confirmed by an official CC admissions rep to be a guaranteed 22k award.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-rochester/602013-national-merit-finalist-scholarship.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-rochester/602013-national-merit-finalist-scholarship.html&lt;/a&gt;
The guaranteed merit award is relatively unknown, even on CC, and rare for a top-50 school in the north.</p>

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<p>Hmmm. I wonder why they didn’t tell us…certainly, that would have made a lot more financial sense if added to the other aid they gave him. I’ve always been puzzled by the tiny need award. This may explain it. Although I believe it still would have gapped us to some degree.</p>

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<p>"International Studies/Documentary Creation/Philosophy/Political Science/Communications, that sort of thing. She is a good writer and a socially conscious girl.</p>

<p>Personality: Vegan, Loves Biking, Loves big cities (She thinks, anyway), wants to see the world, wants culture,She wants the full college experience - location is as important as the college experience."</p>

<p>USC- University of Southern Calif- [#26 on USNWR] should be one of the top colleges on her list. They offer automatic 1/2 [$19K] Tuition scholarships to NMSF, and they have one of the most generous FA programs in the US. USC has a well know Communication school and encourages students to create interdisciplinary programs
[USC</a> Catalogue: Interdisciplinary Programs: Undergraduate](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/cat2009/interdisciplinary/]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/cat2009/interdisciplinary/)
to meet their interests. USC is a very ethnically diverse U,
<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/0910/FreshmanProfile2009.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/0910/FreshmanProfile2009.pdf&lt;/a&gt;
and encourages its students to actively develop a strong commitment to supporting the surrounding racially and economically mixed community .
[Undergraduate</a> Education](<a href=“http://undergrad.usc.edu/]Undergraduate”>http://undergrad.usc.edu/)</p>

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<p>Yes, Fordham will give her a full tuition scholarship, but I have no confidence that they will give her a free ride for being from a Catholic school and NHispanic. That did not happen for similar kids at my kids’ Catholic school who applied to Fordham. They were all given the full tuition, but not a dime more. </p>

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<p>I can understand her apprehension; many OOS NMF kids have apprehensions, at first, about going to Alabama for it’s NMF scholarship. However, hundreds of OOS kids are accepting the NMF, the Presidential, and the Engineering scholarships and coming to Alabama. :)</p>

<p>My DS1 took the NMF scholarship to Alabama. My DS2 received the Presidential and Engineering scholarships. :)</p>

<p>However, you should encourage your D to visit Alabama - or at least do the online tours - see below for links :slight_smile: Over the last 10 years (approx), the university has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on new buildings, new labs, new housing, new eating venues, etc. </p>

<p>It is a beautiful campus, strong academics, friendly students and super nice facilitites. :slight_smile: Heck, show her the dorms; that alone usually gets kids thinking …hmmmmm…Alabama…I like those dorms…I’d have a private room…LOL (After going on many campus tours, I can tell you the dorms of other schools were sometimes BIG turnoffs for my son. Always look carefully at housing, as well as academics and other important concerns.)</p>

<p>Here’s the link for my son’s dorm. [Housing</a> & Residential Communities - The University of Alabama](<a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/ridgecrestsouth.cfm]Housing”>http://housing.ua.edu/ridgecrestsouth.cfm) Scroll down for all pics and floorplans. The NMF scholarship includes these honors dorms - Super Suites - each student has a private room in a 4 room suite with a living room, kitchenette, and 2 bathrooms. </p>

<p>You may not know this, but Alabama is home to the second largest research park in the nation - Cummings Research Park - which is home to many high-tech Fortune 500 companies. There are thousands and thousands of transplants here, working at those companies, and many of their kids go to Alabama. Therefore, Alabama is much more cosmopolitan than many would think. </p>

<p>We are California natives. I was concerned that my Catholic kids would seem strange at Alabama (both my sons are there now). But, when we first visited, we saw a big Catholic parish right across the street, so we knew our kids would not be an exception. (there are also churches of all stripes, a Hillel for Jewish kids, and worship spaces for other religions around the campus)</p>

<p>At Alabama, she’d sure get the full campus experience - academics, many food venues, off-campus hangouts, fabulous rec center, big sports (the kids pack the stadium), and a gorgeous campus with nice weather - blue skies and fluffy white clouds.</p>

<p>PM me if you have any questions. </p>

<p>** An out-of-state student who goes to UA recently posted on CC that… “UA is recruiting for the best and brightest students nationwide. For many students, it is the money that first interests us in Alabama, we visit, and then we get hooked.” **</p>

<p>I know that a campus visit might be difficult or impossible, but at least do the Virtual Tour with her… [Campus</a> Tour - The University of Alabama](<a href=“Page Not Found | The University of Alabama”>http://tour.ua.edu/) This page has 5 more links - a virtual tour, an iTour (which can be viewed from your computer), Campus Landmarks, etc. </p>

<p>I don’t know what your D’s major might be, but Alabama has just completed phase 2 of its mega Engineering and Science Complex. Phase 3 began this fall. When the complex is completed, it will be one of the largest in the country. The complex won a national award this last summer. Here’s an aerial view (scroll down) … [News</a> from the College | College of Arts and Sciences](<a href=“http://web.as.ua.edu/home/news/2009/mailnews/october/webmail.php]News”>http://web.as.ua.edu/home/news/2009/mailnews/october/webmail.php) The pentagon-shaped building was Phase I (called Shelby Hall), the buildings to the left are Phase II. Phase III is next. :)</p>

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<p>^^^^</p>

<p>Forgot to mention that to get the Alabama scholarship, a student must apply to the college and do the scholarship app by Dec 1. Both apps are very easy to do - no essays.</p>

<p>I can’t believe that I forgot to mention Alabama’s awesome Honors College with its 4 unique programs… The Honors College gives that “small college feel within a big college.” :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I’ve copied/pasted info from another post below for you to look at :)</p>

<p>** The Honors College - Consists of 4 different programs - 2 programs admit by stats, the other 2 programs are very competitive. **</p>

<p>University Honors Program (UHP) and International Honors Program (IHP) - applying students are admitted if they have the stats - Incoming students with a 28 ACT or 1250 SAT will be automatically accepted to the Honors College upon submission of their applications. Students will be notified of their acceptance via mail.</p>

<p>A qualified student can belong to more than one program, but to become a member of Computer-Based Honors Program (CBHP) or Fellows, a student must be selected through an essay and interview process (held in Feb - UA usually pays all expenses - transportation, hotel, food. I hope UA still does this…anyone know?).</p>

<p>University Honors Program (UHP) - minimum ACT 28 (SAT 1250 M + CR) - UHP classes are limited to 15 students. UHP students have their own computer labs. EZ app - one paragraph essay about yourself. NO BIG DEAL at all! If you have the stats, you’re admitted after app received.</p>

<p>International Honors Program (IHP) - minimum ACT 28 - IHP classes are limited to 15 students. IHP students must also focus on a foreign language and do a study-abroad. If you have the stats, you’re admitted after app received.</p>

<p>Computer-Based Honors Program (CBHP) - only 40 students admitted to CBHP - average ACT 33 (typically includes a couple of “hook” students with ACT 28 - 30, but the others range ACT 31-36). The students’ majors range from Engineering to Liberal Arts to Pre-Med to Dance/Theatre to Library Science (and everything in between). Project-oriented research with a prof - fabulous presentations (I’ve been able to sit-in several students’ presentations of their individual research projects.) CBHP is a minor. CBHP students have their own lab facilities.</p>

<p>University Fellows Experience - (UFE or “Fellows”) only 40 students admitted to program - average ACT 33 (I think that’s the average that we were told., but includes kids within the ACT 28 - 36 range.) Project-oriented program. Must be invited to apply. Apps are sent to students with ACT 32+. If your ACT is between 28-31, you can have a GC request an invite.</p>

<p>Students interested in CBHP and/or Fellows, must also apply to UHP first.</p>

<p>The students in the Honors College are kids who score above the 90 percentile. Most of the kids in the CBHP and Fellows Program score in the 99 percentile.</p>

<p>Plus, various department majors have some honors classes. To take such classes, a student must be a member of UHP, too. </p>

<p>Last year, Dr. Halli (the recently retired dean of the honors college) told us that over 20% of the incoming freshmen are now qualified for The Honors College. Therefore, he was concerned that Dr. Witt (the president) would insist that the minimum ACT be raised, since honors classes cost a lot more money (smaller classes). But, Dr. Witt said that UA would keep the 28 ACT minimum because the students were doing so well in those classes.</p>

<p>Dr. Shane Sharpe (super nice) is the interim dean of the Honors College. He’s also the director of CBHP. Dr. Sharpe has his PhD in MIS, but he’s also a pharmacist.</p>

<p>Honors College website - [Honors</a> College - University Honors](<a href=“http://honors.cbhp.ua.edu/index.php?page=uhp]Honors”>http://honors.cbhp.ua.edu/index.php?page=uhp)</p>

<p>Honors College app info - [Honors</a> College - Apply](<a href=“http://honors.cbhp.ua.edu/index.php?page=apply]Honors”>http://honors.cbhp.ua.edu/index.php?page=apply)</p>

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<p>Hi Mom2,
Your posts have me re-interested in Alabama. We know so much more than we knew a couple of months ago, and yet we have more questions than ever! Since the deadline for U of A is looming (Dec 1 Admit date to be considered for scholarships according to their web site) I am going to re-approach my daughter with the idea that we fly down for a day visit (I hate to spend the money but I don’t know any other way to give a TRUE feel for the campus). Upon reviewing their site it really does appear that they have a lot to offer - and you should be on commission for all your wonderful recommendations. For better or for worse, our impression (both of us, guilty as charged) is that the southern colleges would be more good-ol-boys and not so progressive, but you have opened my mind. Thank you. Will post more as time goes.
Gratefully,
Mom in Indiana</p>

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<p>I will throw in a suggestion for Willamette in Salem OR. Across the street from the state capital (lots of internships), great study abroad programs & merit aid. Check out their website for their sustainability and socially conscious organizations. Also in the area that might be of interest are Lewis and Clark, Whitman, Gonzaga (with varying amounts of aid). Check out Pacific Northwest Roadtrip on this site for other views. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/723908-upcoming-pacific-northwest-college-trip.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/723908-upcoming-pacific-northwest-college-trip.html&lt;/a&gt; and <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/560633-pacific-northwest-roadtrip.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/560633-pacific-northwest-roadtrip.html&lt;/a&gt;
I’m sure someone will suggest Reed but since they are need aware and not need blind (check out what happened to the fall 2009 applicants), you cannot count on them now for aid.</p>

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<p>Hi Mom2,
Your posts have me re-interested in Alabama. We know so much more than we knew a couple of months ago, and yet we have more questions than ever! Since the deadline for U of A is looming (Dec 1 Admit date to be considered for scholarships according to their web site) I am going to re-approach my daughter with the idea that we fly down for a day visit (I hate to spend the money but I don’t know any other way to give a TRUE feel for the campus). Upon reviewing their site it really does appear that they have a lot to offer - and you should be on commission for all your wonderful recommendations. For better or for worse, our impression (both of us, guilty as charged) is that the southern colleges would be more good-ol-boys and not so progressive, but you have opened my mind. Thank you. Will post more as time goes.
Gratefully,
Mom in Indiana
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<</p>

<p>Yes, app to Alabama and app for scholarships must be in by Dec 1. Both apps are quick - no essays. Alabama uses a formula method - GPA, test scores, and college-prep curriculum.</p>

<p>As for a visit… I recommend visiting on a Monday because it can minimize the loss of school time for your child. Some arrive on Sunday (there is a hotel on campus - but also lots of others, too), tour on Monday morning & early afternoon, then fly back home late Mon afternoon or evening. </p>

<p>It’s even better if your child happens to have a “no-school” Monday :)</p>

<p>PM me if you have any questions. :)</p>

<p>Now…back to the OP’s situation. :)</p>

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<p>I understand that you want to find “realistic” schools for your daughter, but have you considered that most top schools in the country offer VERY generous need-based financial aid? At Princeton, for example, families that have income less than $120,000 are usually provided grants that pay for full tuition and part of room and board, and even families earning between $180,000-200,000 have grants that pay for 58% of tuition. Not that I’m saying your daughter should apply to Princeton, of course, I’m just using it as an example. Don’t limit yourself in your school search merely based on the colleges’ sticker price. Because my family is relatively low-income, it is actually less expensive for me to attend a top private school than my safety schools. Of course, the problem always comes down to getting into those institutions in the first place. </p>

<p>Many schools offer great merit based scholarships to NMFs, if that’s what you’re looking for. Check out some of the past CC threads such as this one,</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/113-schools-full-tuition-national-merit-finalist.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/113-schools-full-tuition-national-merit-finalist.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Good luck on finding the perfect school for your daughter!</p>

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<p>Oh wait, I just realized that that thread is kind of old… you may want to see if there’s a newer version of the list. Knowitsome’s link is better than this one.</p>

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<p>“I’m sure someone will suggest Reed but since they are need aware and not need blind (check out what happened to the fall 2009 applicants), you cannot count on them now for aid.”</p>

<p>You can count on Reed for aid even more now:

[Letter</a> from the President of Reed College](<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/president/email/june09_email_web.html]Letter”>http://www.reed.edu/president/email/june09_email_web.html)</p>

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<p>Hi again,
Mom2 thanks for all the great info. My daughter listened to what you had to say and we did a little more research and basically she still isn’t interested. The local area does not include what she thinks she’d be interested in - so, I give up on that one. Darn. Well we are back to the ideas of Fordham, Ithaca, Westminster Utah, and she came up with a new one today that I haven’t looked at yet - something called Lewis and Clark in Portland. So, back to reviewing the schools she is interested in. I think we are going to visit Fordham soon - I would like to see for myself the area. I am concerned about the cost of living - outside of room and board - of NY though. It seems like it might be expensive to shop, get hair cuts, do fun things, etc there. But I could be way off on that.
Anyway thanks again for the great information - I wish we could have pursued.
Wendy</p>