<p>I really like some things I've read about Sarah Lawrence, but i'm confused on a couple of points. I'm not sure I understand the whole "thirds" thing. Does that mean you only take 3 classes a year? So only 12 classes in all of college - that seems like it's not very many.... Am i misunderstanding this or can you help me understand the rational behind? </p>
<p>Also, I'm very open minded, but my christian faith is important to me, and I've heard that people at SL can be a little hostile towards that.... is that true?</p>
<p>Thanks for helping with my two unrelated questions...</p>
<p>I know people there–Sarah Lawrence is an interesting place–not for everybody, but you might want to take a closer look.</p>
<p>At SLC people usually take three 5-credit classes per semester (not per year), so you typically take 24, not 12 classes. Again, there is some variation. Threre is a lot of info on their web site.</p>
<p>SLUMON is wrong, like a lot of private, liberal arts colleges they give out a ton of financial aid. Threre actually is a video interview on CNBC with the SLC President about this. Just Google “Sarah lawrence” and CNBC. </p>
<p>Hard to say about the Christian thing. On one hand, like all the ivies and most liberal arts colleges most people are pretty secular. On the other hand, Sarah Lawrence loves individuals with quirks. If you are not a loud prostilytizer, big deal holy roller-type, you might be considererd an interesting oddity and people will leave you alone. It’s really hard to measure this and you should probablly look for more people who know the school and maybe visit to really tell.</p>
<p>PROFILE OF 2009-10 FINANCIAL AID Freshmen: Sarah Lawrence College </p>
<p>Financial Aid Applicants 261 (71.7%) of freshmen
Found to Have Financial Need 236 (90.4%) of applicants
Received Financial Aid 236 (100.0%) of applicants with financial need
Need Fully Met 151 (64.0%) of aid recipients
Average Percent of Need Met 87%
Average Award $32,719
Need-Based Gift Received by 224 (94.9%) of aid recipients, average amount $31,897
Need-Based Self-Help Received by 223 (94.5%) of aid recipients, average amount $4,070
Merit-Based Gift Received by 1 (.4%) of aid recipients
Merit-Based Gift Not reported </p>
<p>64% had their need fully met, average award is $32,719, bear in mind that included everything: Grants, Loans, Work Study Job. </p>
<p>The Cost of Attendance is around $58,000, so if an applicant had “high need” there is probably a lot of “gapping” at Sarah Lawrence.</p>
<p>SLUMOM - I think it is admirable that you guide students to look at the financial aspects of their college search. Yes, relatively few schools meet full need for all aide applicants. But your initial statement is too broad given the data you give in your second post. I think it is more helpful to point out that a school does not meet full need for all applicants and that if you are high need you should apply to a number of schools to be able to compare offers. From your stats almost 2/3 of the aid applicants at SLC received full need, so it clearly was a good decision for them to apply. The others need to make an assessment of the value of what they were offered by SLC versus offers from other schools.</p>
<p>From [Frequently</a> Asked Questions](<a href=“http://www.slc.edu/admission/financialaid/new-students/UG_Financial_Aid_FAQ.html]Frequently”>http://www.slc.edu/admission/financialaid/new-students/UG_Financial_Aid_FAQ.html)
3.How is financial need determined?
In determining a student’s demonstrated need, Sarah Lawrence subscribes to the practice and procedures of federal and institutional methodology as published by the U.S. Department of Education and the College Scholarship Service. The formulas consider necessary family expenditures, including taxes, living costs, outstanding medical expenses and costs for siblings’ college tuition.
Students are expected to contribute 50 percent of their income and 25 percent of their assets toward the cost of their own education. The minimum expected contribution from a first-year student is $1,350 and, from all others. $1,500. Financial need is determined by subtracting your family contribution from the total cost of education. In addition to tuition, room and board, we consider books, supplies, travel and personal expenses as costs related to attending college.</p>
<p>So by this those that have a EFC below $1350 will never have full need met. I think that is why the stat is sitting in the mid 60% range.</p>
<p>Okay! That’s good to know. I also think i would not be happy at a christian school. I crave diversity and I don’t want to only be friends with people exactly like me.</p>
<p>Perhaps consider Bryn Mawr as well as it is about the same quality as SLC and I think from what you are saying that it may fit you a bit better.</p>
<p>I have a friend who goes to Bryn Mawr and I really like it… except i want to major in theater, and they don’t have a strong program. Do you have any suggestions for a similar school with a strong theater program?</p>
<p>You could try Bard or Bennington. One major difference between them and Sarah Lawrence is they are much further from NYC, if that matters to you.</p>
<p>With the COA approaching $58,000 & you automatically can deduct Stafford Loans both subsidized & unsubsidized of $5500.00 & probably a Work Study Job of $1500-2000, certainly you would expect to see that average award to be higher than $32,719. </p>
<p>Just the Tuition, Room & Board is almost $58,000.
“Financial need is a consideration in the admissions process” so SLC is not need blind. </p>
<p>Visit, apply, apply for financial aid & then compare to your other offers, that is all any applicant can do. IMHO, with this price tag of $58,000 those stats are not very encouraging to anyone with financial need. Best wishes in your hunt, OP!</p>
<p>OP, back to Sarah Lawrence and the “thirds” question; within almost all of one’s classes, students do independent study projects (the actual title eludes me). So, while you might take three classes per semester, you could be doing the work of six courses. It’s all a matter of how dedicated one is. Also, as you know, SLC has amazing performing arts programs. Danceclass is right, proximity to NYC is important for many concentrations in the fine arts.</p>
<p>Most schools require a minimum contribution from students. That does NOT stop a number of them to meet 100 percent of demonstrated need. In addition, students often have the opportunity to borrow instead of working through the year or summer. </p>
<p>Simply stated, SLC is NOT a school that meets 100 percent of need, and is not a great choice for people with large financial needs.</p>
<p>@citdad, as the OP has stated on a previous thread, there is not much money available for college & so she is a high need applicant. A high need applicant such as herself should not be looking at Sarah Lawrence College with the sticker price of 58K. </p>
<p>“As far as budget goes… we don’t have much money. My parents can pay some and I work almost everyday, so I can contribute a litte…but honestly, most is going to have to come from finacial aid. That’s one reason why colleges such as Vassar, Skidmore, Kenyon, ect. that offer to meet 100% of demonstrated need are so appealing.” </p>
<p>The Sarah Lawrence forum is usually pretty quiet! Certainly if SLC met a high percentage of need, it would be more popular on CC & you would hear more about it, but we don’t. So for this OP, Sarah Lawrence may not be a realistic choice, that is all I am pointing out.</p>
<p>Best of luck in your college search, OP! Take the SATs again, too.</p>
Do you have any suggestions for a similar school with a strong theater program?</p>