<p>MasterYster -</p>
<p>Just keep scrolling down through this forum, and you will hit on a whole bunch of threads on merit-based aid. However, if you are going to be picky about the ranking, that is a whole different story. Think long and hard about how far down the USNWR “tiers” you are willing to go, and about just exactly how much aid you need. If you do indeed need a true full ride, the money is out there, but may be at a place you have never heard of before.</p>
<p>As for Tulane, U of MD, and the rest, sit down with your parents and run the Net Price Calculator at each website, and carefully read through their aid policies. If they are going to expect your family to pay more than the $15k your parents can afford, you will have to keep looking.</p>