I am concerned. It seems we can’t get in right in PA.
Wait till the blank hits the fan in Illinois. It will be much worse than PA.
as @mommdc mentioned upthread - I know several hard working, solid but not superstar students who have received some serious $ at Lycoming College. One has graduated and is working outside of DC and another is very happy there now. A great reputation and a beautiful campus. A friend of D will be attending Susquehanna University in the fall and received a generous package (not sure how generous but I know that they were price aware and I find it hard to believe that they would pay such high rates).
Here is the latest on the PASSHE labor discussions…
http://www.passhe.edu/inside/ne/press/pages/press.aspx?q=16-6-10Proposal
The Does anyone have any experience with Gannon University? The compete in the PSAC for swimming with the PASSHE schools but seems to have a better academic reputation.
Interesting articles on students now looking to live at home to save money as well as the cost of extra semesters(check out the video at the end of that article on how IUP’s cost per credit charge will now cost students more money).
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2016/06/22/To-cut-costs-high-school-students-plan-to-live-at-home/stories/201606220045
One of my pet peeves is the fact that, in addition to the “per credit” tuition policy, many of the PA state schools are eliminating the lower-cost “traditional” dorm options so that students have no choices other than the pricey suite-style newer housing, adding $3000 or more to yearly costs.
Daughter earned a 24 on ACT composite and 23 on writing(up from 18). Now if I can get her to study!!! Lol
CONGRATULATIONS to your daughter! 24 is quite good actually. 
If she applies in September, writes the essay, and checks “DUS” plus “Summer session”, she’d have a shot at Penn State (perhaps Main campus, since she’s taken a relatively rigorous courseload). Of course it may not be what she wants because she wouldn’t be able to swim and she may not want a big campus, but it’s within reach.
It expands her possibilities to Ursinus, Washington MD, Goucher, McDaniel, St Michael’s, John Carroll, Simmons, with reaches like Hobart&William Smith, Wheaton Massachusetts, St Mary’s Indiana (Notre Dame’s sister school).
Could she venture a bit farther? Randolph, Randolph-Macon, Sweet Briar, UMW and Longwood in Virginia?
@MYOS1634 - Thank you for your continued optimism. I think she would like to swim at UMW but it is a bit expensive for OOS.
Youngstown State University is really changing before our eyes!!! Wow
http://wkbn.com/2016/06/29/donations-continue-pouring-in-to-youngstown-state-university/
PASSHE schools will be increasing 2.5 percent: https://www.indianagazette.com/news/indiana-news/passhe-approves-25-percent-tuition-increase,24591221/
President Tressel’s impact at YSU is profound.
http://www.wfmj.com/story/32521537/tressel-credited-with-fundraising-boost-at-youngstown-state
Latest on the PASSHE looming strike.
We visited University of Rhode Island, WVU and Bloomsburg.
URI - She really liked this school. Nice campus, 15,000 students, she could be on the swim team but in the middle of the pack. Some cool programs…drive from Pittsburgh area to URI really stinks!!! lol. Terrible tour guide. Could not hear a word he said and we were in the very front of the group. No town at all.
WVU - She liked this one but felt it might be a bit too large. Many, many programs. Big time swim team. She could be on the team but not likely a contributor(not sure why she would want to be in that situation). Amazing school spirit and the friendliest students/staff we have encountered thus far. Vibrant town in the hills of WV.
Bloomsburg - She liked it but did not love it. State school stigma. Very nice campus. Buildings were in great shape. Great coach and very willing to have her on the team as a major contributor. Very nice programs. College town with places to eat and such. 10,000 students. Affordable.
Did you look at Geneva or Pitt Greensburg, do they have swimming? Slippery Rock is also popular around here.
Allegheny?
@mommdc - Geneva and PittG do dot have a swim team…and SRU cut their team in around 2009. Just silly.
We did visit Allegheny…too small, snow belt and nothing around the campus. Pretty tho…
PASSHE strike update:
http://www.passhe.edu/inside/ne/press/pages/press.aspx?q=16-8-10Negotiations
Visited Saint Vincent College yesterday for the “Get Acquainted Day”. Excellent program…tour not so good. Daughter is “undecided” so they left out the academic buildings. I did enjoy the school, philosophy and so on. Met academic reps, coaches and so on. Even ended with a banana split. We walk back to the car, get in and my daughter says…“I don’t see myself going here”…help!!! lol. Did anyone else find this process as frustrating? We have looked at many colleges and it is a moving target based more on what her friends say than the actual facts!
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@bester1 At least your daughter is willing to go on college visiting trips with you. Mine consented to go on only one trip, to two schools here in PA (Arcadia and West Chester). Now she wants to apply to Alabama, her “dream school” but not remotely affordable without a full tuition scholarship, for which she would have to raise her SAT score nearly 300 points or get a comparable ACT score. I told her I would pay the application fee only if the school is affordable (highly unlikely). She will also apply to West Chester, which is probably a match for her. She has no safeties but if she applies soon and is accepted at West Chester she won’t need to apply to any other schools. So much for all my extensive research!