<p>*Let me repeat that in another way…You DON"T want to waste your scholarship chances by grabbing some full-ride at a low tier commuter school where you’ll want to transfer out immediately. At that point, you’ll have lost your chances for any other big scholarships because the big scholarships for YOUR stats are ONLY given to incoming freshmen - NOT to transfers. *</p>
<p>I disagree with M2CK, or at least the very first part of her statement (not the rest). I had a full-ride scholarship at a second-tier liberal arts college (Spelman College) where most students were residential and had a fulfilling experience, and my stats were lower than yours (3.6 GPA, 800 v/660 m (no writing at the time), a couple of intense ECs and volunteering experience but the list was not as long as yours)</p>
<p>I think you misunderstood my post. I wasn’t talking about mid-tier schools (aka 2nd tier schools). I was talking about low tier schools (such as a 4th tier and some 3rd tier)commuter schools because they usually attract students who live within 25-50 miles. </p>
<p>And, of course, any lower tier school that is mostly residential, wouldn’t be a problem unless it’s a suitcase school.</p>
<p>My concern is that she might do what a student I know did. This student accepted a “full ride” from a 4th tier school in another state without finding out that it is largely a commuter school with little “school spirit” or campus activities. Within 2 weeks of being there she was miserable. But, she was rather stuck because she had “used up” her best scholarships opportunities that are offered to incoming freshmen only (not transfers).</p>
<p>Students with lots of community service often do well (money-wise) at colleges/universities affiliated with the Bonner Foundation [In</a> the News](<a href=“http://www.bonner.org/]In”>http://www.bonner.org/) One that I know of is now at Guilford College in North Carolina. Not a full-ride, but I understand that with her Bonner Scholarship, her Bonner supported work-study, and her Stafford loans, her parents only pay her airfare too and from campus a couple of times a year.</p>
<p>Do check out the “4th tier” options before committing, but don’t be afraid to give them a good long look. The special honors programs at our local community college offer full tuition and fees to roughly 50 students each year. Those who continue to earn stellar grades have been very successful in transferring (many with full-rides) into 4-year colleges/universities after completing the A.A. or A.S. Here is a link to their info <a href=“http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/studev/schol.htm[/url]”>http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/studev/schol.htm</a></p>
<p>My neighbor’s son accepted a full ride plus from Lehman college in the Bronx. It is a commuter school, a SUNY school that happened to have a program he liked. He has been wildly happy and successful there. He will be going to law school this fall, and the money he saved taking this option has really helped his family regarding financial stress. He also has a clean slate regarding loans for law school. It was a good option for him.</p>
<p>As you develop your list of potential schools, keep track of application deadlines both for admission and for any scholarships. Some require earlier admission deadlines to be considered for merit scholarships, some have separate applications with their own, sometimes earlier, applications for those scholarships. </p>
<p>I know families have put all schools, applications, scholarships, requirements (essays, Letters of rec etc) and deadlines on a spread sheet that was updated as each requirement was met.</p>