<p>MHC is the best of these schools, and gives out some merit aid, not much. Keep in mind that many schools have free apps if you apply online, so cast a wide net and don't commit to ED at any school.</p>
<p>Have you thought about Marist? The campus is lovely, right on the Hudson, with a gorgeous new library, nice housing. The COA is reasonable, and for a kid with 1800 something SATs (out of 2400) there is a merit award of $8,000 per year renewable for four years. What I like is that the merit awards are automatic. We were told in the info session, "If 900 kids qualify, 900 kids get them." I don't know how the school does it because its endowment isn't whopping, but there you have it. On the downside: When we visited, we didn't think that the student body was that diverse, and the school has a Catholic flavor even though it is officially secular. And Poughkeepsie isn't too high on the Best Places to Live list. But it might be worth a look! </p>
<p>Marist is probably close to $30K in cost. If the OP is looking to pay about $20K, then IF her D gets one of the big scholarships , she'll meet that goal. My experience with schools in this range with my kids and what I have seen around here, is that it is probable getting one, given her D's stats. but not the top ones unless she has something to catch the school's eye. That is the situation with most of the colleges listed. They are match schools in admissions; it is the cost that makes them reach. I think you should give them a whirl, cuz you never know, but she should add some financial safeties because it is also possible that she does not get a dime in merit aid from them if the applicant pool is strong this year. </p>
<p>Just heard that someone we know got a generous merit award from Fordham which is unusual for those who live here, and a surprise to the parents as they have known many kids with stats higher than their D's , not get anything. With their tutition repayment benefit (he teaches at Cornell med), they are set. Heck, if she commutes, she may even make money on this one. We also knew a young lady a few years ago who got a big merit within aid award with financial aid from NYU. That package beat out what BU, Brown, Columbia, JHU, WashU offered, and brought down the cost lower than what she would have had to pay at Binghamton, which was her financial and admissions safety. She had applied to NYU with the idea that she could commute and work parttime to offset the cost, with little expectation that it would even meet EFC since she knew so many kids who were gapped by that school. So unexpected things can and do happen. You just cannot count on it.</p>
<p>Fordham has sent us a lot of info. I know nothing of the campus. Is it rural or actually in the city? At some schools I know some folks cut costs when thier kids move off campus after freshman year and divide the R&B cost amongst a group of kids. I can't imagine that there would be any savings in that regard if you're anywhere near NYC. I almost wish D would pick a major .. then I could centralize my search. I don't want to push her too hard in that direction as so many kids end up changing majors.</p>
<p>Fordham has one campus right in Manhattan at Lincoln Center and one in the Bronx. Wouldn't call the Bronx rural, but it's certainly cheaper than Manhattan.</p>
<p>TheDad,
Thanks for your supportive comment, but I married the guy I met on my Junior Year Abroad and here we are still married 30+ years later!</p>
<p>Pye, hmmm...D is in a male-majority program (mathematics) abroad right now. Hmmm again. And she likes geeky math guys as a type. Hmmmm.</p>
<p>Nightingale, my youngest DD recently was accepted (via priority application) to Drew U (in NJ) with a nice merit scholarship ($14 K). Her stats is similar to your D’s (verbal is little lower). What I heard is that Drew U is a nice small LAC (< 2,000 kids) - we haven’t visited yet.</p>
<p>Drew sounds generous! I hear The College of New Jersey is very nice also. What is "priority application".. is that like early decision? As our D's stats are similiar may I ask if your daughter applied to any other schools in the Northeast and how those tours went?</p>
<p>Nightingale</p>
<p>Most kids don't know a major and if they do, it changes. Help her find schools that fit her other needs and your budget. Transfers are always an option if a major becomes clear later.</p>
<p>What I did was read the guides (Fiske and Insider's) looking for words that described my child ( intellectual, artistic, geeky)--or didn't--(preppy, athletic, Greek-y) and went from there. Then I made sure he had several at different acceptance levels. The merit money search is additional, though the higher the acceptance level, the more likely is the chance of merit aid. Cur and others are a better help there. The Fiske guide is alphabetical and the Insider's guide is alphabetical by state, so if you want to stay local, that helps in the search. Drew sounded good to us too, but was too local for my son. Go figure.</p>
<p>Someone mentioned "Casting a wide net" How many schools is too many as far as aps are concerned. Do most folks still do 3 reaches, 3 matches, and 3 safeties, or do most kids today apply to more than the conventional 9?</p>
<p>Nightingale, my D e-mailed something like “Request for info” back in Nov. and Drew sent a Drew Priority Candidate application. It was due, I believe, on 12/8. It was free and like early action (non-binding).<br>
My D already got accepted to Siena college (with merit $$). Siena is a nice Catholic and Franciscan LAC near Albany (3,000 kids, good location), with Div.1 sport teams (sports are big there!).
We had visited Clark last spring (something like “science preview day”) and were very impressed with research available for undergraduate (and not impress with the town). D applied there RD. Since we are NY residents, she has applied to some SUNYs with SUNY Binghamton is being one of the top choices.</p>