Selective LACs, no test scores, and big merit!

I lurked on here last year and learned a lot, so just thought I would share our experience in case anyone else is in the same situation now. Our daughter '17 took what was probably a risk and applied test optional to 10 somewhat selective (admit rates 40-70%) LACs, and needed merit aid. (We were unlikely to get much need based and had a budget she knew she needed to stick to.). She has a high GPA but refused to take the SAT or ACT. Her ECAs were nothing special, solid one sport athelete but no super star, no leadership, a bit of volunteering. She spends most of her free time working and making money. Otherwise pretty much a dime-a-dozen suburban New England white girl.
She applied all RDs and went all-in with her high GPA to test optional to north east LACs, and was happy with the results. She was offered merit aid of 65-75% discount off of tuition everywhere. (Not including loans or work study in any of this.).
So if anyone else has a high GPA kid who is going test optional, it appears some schools really do offer their highest merit awards without test scores.

Would you be willing to share this schools…and the merit aid amounts? That would be really helpful to folks here.

The schools were CTCL schools or similar profiles, (smallish sized, mostly located in small towns.) 30-35k merit.

I’m curious why she “refused” to take the SAT or ACT?

In any case, congratulations!

Your subject says “selective LACs” while your post says somewhat selective. That’s sort of misleading. Schools with 40-70% admit rates are not selective…they are somewhat selective.

It’s terrific that your daughter got these awards…and congratulations to her.

But really…the subject title is a little misleading.

Very helpful, thank you! I’m currently hunting for liberal arts schools with theater programs, and have a kid that isn’t a strong tester. May I ask the GPA? I’m learning from my kids school that I should not be using the college’s stats, but rather the high school stats of who’s been accepted. it’s a strong high school, and there’s quite a difference between school stats and college’s averages.

Fairtest lists the colleges that are test optional. Many are TOTALLY test optional…but there are some that do require scores be submitted for merit aid consideration…so check the schools websites carefully.

There are lots of great smaller colleges where a student can get an excellent education.

Regarding not taking the tests, she figured what was the point? If she did well and applied to and got into a better school, she would probably not be able to attend because they would likely use a need based element in the pricing. She had lackluster results on the PSAT and no desire for prep classes, so she didn’t think she would do well anyway.
Also in her mind that Saturday job took priority!
And yes the title should be “somewhat selective.”