Suggestions for Best Universities?

[TranquilMind]

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rmldad: TranquilMind - I found irony in your user name indicating tranquility, but your posting indicating frustration.

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<p>Oh, ha ha. I didn’t get it, but it was after midnight. Hey, that Tranquil thing is a FAITH thing -what I WANT to be - not what I am all the time. That’s for sure! </p>

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You don’t need to apologize for withholding information as privacy is certainly important. However, the more information that you provide, the more accurate our advice can be. There is an enormous difference between an applicant with 2100 SAT who is Valedictorian, Intel finalist and 12 AP classes as oppoed to an applicant with 2100 SAT but has a 3.4 GPA, few APs and no meaningful activities. The former student would be strongly competitive at all the schools on your list while the latter student would likely be a long shot at all of them.

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<p>I get it, and thanks. No Intel finalist, and probably not Valedictorian, but certainly several meaningful activities, excellent writing skills (so we are banking on the essay, which is likely to be strong), and a 3.9 UW (I think- I know weighted is near 4.4, last I checked) right now at a rigorous school. They don’t do many labeled AP’s because all classes are college level or actual college classes (though I’m sure some kids sit for the AP exam on their own, and this may happen next year, though international travel was taking place during AP week this year) AP Scholar from past years.</p>

[TranquilMind]

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mathmom: Have you run the financial calculators? Though I believe if you have an asset you can liquidate they’ll probably expect you to be full pay, at least until most of that money is gone.

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<p>No! I guess we really, really need to do that. And this is all assuming the real estate sells at a good price. With health care so dicey and many people working multiple part time jobs, I think it’s holding down our market. It’s better than before the crash, but not good yet.</p>

[TranquilMind]

<p>itsv, I did NOT get your PM! Can you resend?</p>

<p>And yes, I will do all of what you suggest in your post, and thank you!</p>

[blossom]

<p>Tranquil- your kid sounds fantastic.</p>

<p>Just a heads up- Assume for the purposes of significant merit aid (not talking a 5K "Dean’s scholarship, which frankly, doesn’t get you over the hurdle for a 60K annual bill) that things like being an excellent writer, having meaningful activities, etc. are the icing on the cake. The core components of being a strong merit candidate are grades, scores, and desirable demographics (a boy at an LAC which is 60% female, a girl at an engineering school which is 60% male, a kid from Maine applying to an LAC in Oklahoma, etc.)</p>

<p>I know this isn’t what you want to hear… but I know so many people who assume that merit decisions are just like admissions decisions. And they are not, even though there will be a holistic review before awarding significant money. So a kid in the very top end of the pool for grades and scores- great. Let the essay writing and community service begin. But if you’re looking for big money- don’t assume that 50th percentile grades or scores can be compensated for by terrific essays. It’s holistic- but after a certain threshold.</p>

<p>Obviously, the further from home you go, and the lower down in the ratings you can dip, the greater the likelihood that the stats alone are going to drive you into Merit territory.</p>