<p>I’ve been discussing Bennington with my wife, and as usual she made valid points. Bennington requires you to jump through hoops as well as requires each student to do some sort of internship each year. I saw it as a good thing since the counselor said it would add to your resume, and I bought it. My wife brought me back to earth and said we would have to lay out more money each year and to arrange things each year. Clark, Mount Holyoke and Hampshire are better schools and are less quirky when it comes to admission. We thought Clark was the most “normal” of all those schools with the information sessions and the fact that Clark is the least fantasy driven school (my daughter does not like). So we are probably going to take Bennington off the list.<br>
I was surprised when momneeds2no said that her daughter had Eckerd as her first choice and they gave no money. We really liked Eckerd and will have to contact them and find out about their aid. As far as Colby-Sawyer, not in the league of these four, but a decent school. We are still following with our other choices.</p>
<p>I would keep the top four. College admissions is roll of the dice. Better to have more choices than not enough. D! was admitted to all of her reaches and rejected from half her safeties. D2 was wait listed at all of her target (then later accepted most). With need aware CSS profile schools, they look at your D’s application and your finances. Unless you can pay full, the more the lines in the water the better. </p>
<p>You make a good point. Since these schools are need aware, should we cast a wider net, when it comes to her desire schools and take off some of her safeties?</p>
<p>This morning we spoke to admissions and financial aid at Eckerd College and the financial aid officer said she was a graduate of Eckerd and they gave her the most aid of all the colleges she applied to, so Eckerd will stay on our list.</p>
<p>LIke I said, It’s roll of the dice. Good luck to your daughter. </p>
<p>The following is the merit info from Eckerd’s website:
For students entering the residential program in the Fall of 2014, we will award the following academic achievement scholarships.</p>
<p>These scholarships may be applied to tuition charges only.</p>
<p>Scholarship Amount Average GPA-internally calculated Average SAT (CR+M)/ ACT
Trustee</p>
<p>$19,000</p>
<p>3.77</p>
<p>1250/29</p>
<p>Presidential</p>
<p>$17,000</p>
<p>3.5</p>
<p>1170/25</p>
<p>Dean</p>
<p>$15,000</p>
<p>3.2</p>
<p>1110/23</p>
<p>Academic Achievement</p>
<p>$10,000</p>
<p>2.97</p>
<p>1050/22</p>
<p>She would get the presidential scholarship award, plus some other money. The financial officer said she would also get other money. She is going to apply.</p>
<p>I think this is THE FINAL LIST - any feedback?</p>
<p>In no particular order as to preference - </p>
<p>Bennington
Clark
Mt. Holyoke
Wheaton (MA)
Earlham
Eckard
Hiram
Kalamazoo
Wittenberg </p>
<p>Any thoughts? </p>
<p>I’d really appreciate some feed back. Thank you!</p>
<p>Nine schools is a good list. Four clustered in or near Ohio. Four more in New England. Then Eckard in Florida.</p>
<p>Glad to see Earlham made the cut. =D> Also see that you chose Wittenberg over Capital and that seems like a good move. I am a fan of Hiram for “B” students, but I don’t really see your DD going there.</p>
<p>Hi Lux, I’m so glad your D liked MoHo! I’m one of the women’s college proponents who encouraged you to take a look! I understand you are not looking in the South, but purely in terms of merit aid Agnes Scott in Atlanta is about half the cost of MoHo, after scholarships, and is lovely. Right down the street from Emory. Lots of reasonable flights into ATL from most places. Extremely diverse. Like almost 50% not white. Liberal. Great college city. </p>
<p>Guilford in NC is also liberal, Quaker, great merit aid, good safety for your D. </p>
<p>In the Midwest, what about Knox or Lawrence? </p>
<p>Nice list. Mt Holyoke by far the highest quality of them all. Good luck! </p>
<p>. </p>
<p>My two children graduated from Eckerd. Son went on to law school, daughter continues to work on research with her mentor and is applying to grad school and vet school. Three big points: professor mentor program is a huge benefit. The 4-1-4 calendar with lots of opportunities for study abroad. The college is very service oriented (especially big in student involvement in the community), and focus on social justice and the environment. Lots of chances for internships, research as freshman with your professors. There is an honors program, good merit and financial aid. There are accepted student weekends in March and April that are very well run with tours, class visits, receptions with professors and Parent Council members, student and parent panels, etc. PM me if you would like more info. Best of luck with the applications.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! She likes The List too. However, a couple of changes. Took out Bennington. She looked back on her visit and saw in a different light. I loved the mandatory January internships and the idea of graduating with a resume.</p>
<p>However, D and DW saw it as another requirement and expense. Also, something that might detract from study abroad. That’s something that we really want for both of our students. </p>
<p>We added Muhlenberg. Good mix of students. She is Lutheran, and is involved in her church. I’m Jewish, so that should be a good fit. </p>
<p>Added Beloit and Wheaton MA.</p>
<p>I was the one against women’s colleges, and yes, I realize that I was wrong. She was also not excited about the idea. After visiting Mo Ho (how about that lingo?) I have repented. They can be cool places. I think Agnes Scott may be pushing the envelope, though. We will look into it, though.</p>
<p>Her guidance counselor is a slacker. She wants to write a letter of recommendation enumerating her ECs. </p>
<p>WHY? They are on the common app and the transcript. It’s redundant. </p>
<p>@ ECmotherx2 I will send you a DM. Eckerd is in her top three. </p>
I have some news. Our D has been accepted to the following colleges - Eckerd, Clark U. (EA)., Wittenberg, Roanoke, Beloit, Washington, Hartwick, Elmira, College Of Wooster, Wittenberg, and Earlham all with generous merit scholarships. Still waiting for a few. I have to admit it, my wife did an excellent job with her selection of colleges and my daughter did a good job with her interviews in person, by phone and skype. Thanks to members who suggested colleges.
WOW, congratulations!!!
Do keep us updated about your daughter’s decision process.
I forgot two - Albright and Hiram.
I forgot two - Albright and Hiram.
I forgot two - Albright and Hiram.
Reasoning & debate skills atrophy when everyone around you agrees w you.