<p>My daughter is considered smart/gifted. She is currently a sophmore and beginning to look at colleges. She is slated to be able to get into top tier schools. Our problem is the 50K a year price tag. We make enough money to be comfortable but with other children we cannot go into debt for the first one. She is also planning on Med.School so I think a large debt for undergrad is stupid. After spending alot of time here on CC, I am encouraging her to think past Wash U, ND, UofChi, Northwestern and pick some lower tier schools at which she may stand out more. I fear what I see alot of here- kids dissapointed because they thought they would get alot of Merit money and now cant realize "the dream". I would appreciate any help with ideas of colleges that might be o.k. Currently, here are her thoughts:
Doesnt want a extra large univ.
good science program (prepare for med school)
We live in the midwest but would consider going anywhere
Somewhat selective (wants to be with "kids like her who want to learn not party all the time"<br>
Thanks for any help in our beginning search.</p>
<p>You should consider Rice University. They offer a fair amount of merit scholarships and have a host of internship and research opportunities in collaboration with the Texas Medical Center, which is located next to the campus (which is the largest med center in the world with 13 hospitals and 2 medical schools). Rice is undergrad-focused, with a collaborative, laid back student body, and close interaction with faculty. There is no Greek system and the social scene revolves around the residential colleges, which each student is assigned to for all 4 years, which affords students a close family-like bond. It is a very academic-focused school, but the students know how to enjoy themselves too. Check it out.</p>
<p>USC seems to be throwing around a lot of money to top students too. </p>
<p>It depends what level of student you are. If you are a real stand-out, it makes sense to apply to a large number of schools that offer merit money and see what sticks. You just have to go in with the right attitude. There are lots of nice threads about this on the Parents Forum</p>
<p>I was one of those that wasn't able to reach the "dream." I applied to and got in to a lot of top-tier schools, but with absolutely no merit money. </p>
<p>Oberlin is a GREAT school. Don't underestimate it. It's pre-medical sciences program is very focused on preparing you for entrance to med school, but also, Oberlin has been known to give full-ride merit aid to top students.</p>
<p>But the thing is she's still a sophomore. So she can make the necessary preparations to at least have the reason to apply to top tier schools and be considered for merit aid. This is my 0.02 in tips.</p>
<p>-Make sure that your daughter doesn't get on that "extra-curricular" train. PLEASE. Throughout high school, I involved myself in numerous activities and took leadership roles in each one, but in the end, these activities didn't help much in qualifying me for aid because a lot of the schools I applied to had a limit on how much I could share with them anyway. About five activities that she absolutely LOVES to do and is perhaps recognized in on some type of level should be fine. Don't overdo it. </p>
<p>-Get involved in science fairs, local or regional. Have your daughter participate in some type of research. Colleges love seeing this, and in terms of $$$, starting sophomore year on some type of research project will qualify her for the Siemens ($100,000). I started kind of late.</p>
<ul>
<li>Make sure she takes the SAT IIs in the subjects right AFTER she's done with the course. Usually top-tier schools require three. Not only will these save money for you in the long run in terms of college course placement, but high scores will definitely keep her in the "look at" pile for merit aid.</li>
</ul>
<p>-Don't underestimate the SAT component of ANY application. You need to have a 2300+ to even be considered for any type of ride. I can't underline this enough. </p>
<p>Oberlin is one of those schools with a liberal arts focus and a very nice environment that's focused on learning and not just memorizing to regurgitate on exams. It's selective and small, which gives you more of an opportunity to know your professors personally (you can get rec letters for MS.) I would look into their merit aid more; I've definitely heard great things about it. Good luck and I hope I helped! Let me know how everything turns out and PM if you have any more questions.</p>
<p>Are you looking at Case Western Reserve University? The website claims that 61% of their freshman class receives merit aid. The school is strong in sciences and offers a Pre-Professional Scholars Program.</p>
<p>I liked the look/feel of University Circle and the campus.</p>
<p>Harvey Mudd college sounds perfect for your daughter. It's one of the few schools whose grad's have around 100 percent placement rate into their top 1st or 2nd choice medical school. it's also a small school.</p>
<p>Second Harvey Mudd for a daughter. The NCES stats for 2007 show that the admission rate for female applicants was 46.6 percent, compared to 21 percent for male. And since it's part of a five-college consortium, all located biking distance from each other, a student can take a class at Pomona, take in a performance at Scripps (the women's college) or eat vegetarian at Pitzer. Lots of variety there.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all the great ideas everybody. It helps to get a little direction from those in the know! I will share these with my DD. We may visit Case western this summer as it is close to Cedar Point amusement park. My boss (M.D.) has a D at Oberlin. I have heard of the others and will check them out. :)</p>
<p>I agree that Rice and Case Western are good bets. Rhodes College offers great aid, too. I second USC. Tulane has great aid. U Rochester also does and it is tops for premed. Loyola in Chicago is great for premed and gives aid.</p>