<p>Good ECs- most important: I started a humanitarian club; president of another club; 4 years club volleyball; community service hours are 200+; internship with local service organization</p>
<p>Ethnicity: Caucasian
Sex: Female
I'm from Idaho so I am thinking that helps with colleges who want diversity…?</p>
<p>I do NOT qualify for financial aid. But I also don't really want to pay 60k a year, so thus, I am looking at colleges where I could potentially receive merit scholarships. I am mainly asking about William and Mary, because I think they will be more competitive, as I am out of state. But any thoughts on URichmond would be appreciated too. :)</p>
<p>Definitely have a backup plan because these aren’t guarantees by any means. Financial safeties such as a state flagship or a place you are certain to get a merit scholarship are important as an OOS applicant</p>
<p>@shawnspencer I actually have a few questions if you don’t mind answering them! I am out of state and I know that 2/3 of the kids there are in-state. I have heard that the campus isn’t as diverse because of that. Would I be able to find my niche as an OOS? Also, I have heard something about grade deflation?? And is the biology program considered good?</p>
<p>Approaching the diversity question: Of course it depends on exactly how one defines diversity. Yes, most of the students are residents of VA but VA is a very diverse state in pretty much any way you measure it: Ethnicity, religion, income (although few pockets of abject poverty in states thank goodness), political views, etc. I went to W&M 40 years ago as not only an OOS but the only one from my state and being from a state where pretty much none of my class mates had ever been (or wanted to go). I had no problems (other than amazingly annoying questions about my home state) and was in a sorority and many other activities. My boys are in state but have made friends with both in state and out of state- the major thing being what interests they had in common. My younger son’s freshman roommate was from OOS. They had pretty much nothing in common but the roomie quickly found a group that he had things in common with (roomie was a jock, son is a nerd- neither filled out roommate preference form) and joined a fraternity and participated in a sport.</p>
<p>I can only answer some of these questions as I an an incoming student myself. Coming as an OOS student, and having friends that currently go there, the OOS thing is basically a non-issue. Sure you’ll make alot of friends from the state of virginia. But the people there are really friendly and I’ve never felt out of place during my overnight stay, admitted students day, and meeting some of the other students via facebook and social media. Remember, there are many different types of diversity, and I have definitely met fascinating people from all sorts of backgrounds</p>
<p>From what I know about it, biology is one of W&M’s strong suits. There’s actually a cool program known as PLUS-S for incoming freshman over the summer and it’s completely free. You get to shadow research, live in W&M housing, and complete a 1 credit undergraduate course. Definitely look into it if you are considering attending. There is the new ISC (integrated science center) building at W&M which has many research and lab opportunities. My overnight host mentioned to me that he was able to do research there as early as freshman year, partly due to W&M small size yet bountiful opportunities. </p>
<p>I haven’t taken any classes yet, so I can’t comment on grade deflation, but it’s likely not different than any other selective school. Others have said it is not terribly difficult to get an B, but you will have to work for that A because the professors have high expectations. There’s alot of incredibly bright students at W&M, but the atmosphere has always been described as non competitive. </p>
<p>Lastly, as a piece of personal advice, apply to many of your school’s and private scholarships during your senior year. Be on a lookout and take advantage of them. It was through these that I was lucky enough to attend a school like W&M. I’ll probably be able to answer more of your questions when school officially starts a month from now, but hopefully that was helpful!</p>
<p>OOS DD2 was accepted to W&M 2230 SAT, 35 ACT, good EC’s, biomedical Eng’g internship, Varsity Athlete, 3.97/4.0 U/W. Was offered Monroe Scholar stipend (1 time use $3K), but no large merit scholarship. We do have financial need and she was offered a pretty generous BOV grant, but still too expensive for our family and she received better offers from other schools. Your stats are great, but the big merit scholarships at W&M are a reach for everyone and are extremely competetive</p>
<p>DD2 will be attending the University of Richmond which offered her a full tuition science scholarship and a small National Merit scholarship. DD1 also attends UR on a full-ride science scholarship - she had similar stats to DD1, but 2300 SAT. UR awards approx. 45 full tuition/full ride scholarship each year and also a bunch of presidential scholarships (15K). Certainly no guarantee of merit aid at UR, either, but they offer more scholarships than W&M. DD1 is doing great and loves the school and DD2 is excited to join her. Another good VA school which is know for large merit scholarships is Washington and Lee.</p>
<p>You’re very welcome:) Good luck to you-it is a very exciting time! </p>
<p>As mentioned by @shawnspencer, apply to a range of schools, including some safeties, matches, and a reach or two, and if you have not discussed the financial piece with your parents in detail, definitely do so. </p>
<p>Many parents assume that their very bright, high achieving students are sure to receive merit aid from any school to which they apply, but it does not always happen, and as you know, many schools don’t offer merit aid at all. Together, you and your parents should come up with a plan for paying for college, how much they are willing to pay each year, loans you might take out, etc. </p>
<p>If you will need a certain amount of merit$$ to make the finances work, be sure to apply to schools where you have a good chance of getting some - check the student profiles and make sure your stats are well above the 25 - 75 percentile range which is usually listed (if you are having trouble finding info, do a search on the school website for the “common data set”, which will list it.</p>