<p>Olin would be worth a look, but note that it is only 300 students. (You say, "The smaller the better," but are you prepared for 75 students per class year?) Olin does not offer "applied math" as a major: at this time, only 3 majors are offered, all with "engineering" in the name (Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and "Engineering". There might be a way to work "applied math" in there under "Engineering" somehow, and certainly given the integrated curriculum and hands-on approach Olin seems to take, all math is (eventually) applied anyway.:) ) But definitely take a look, it's a pretty exciting school.</p>
<p>(By the way, cur, Olin doesn't seem to "snap [anyone] up in a blink" based on stats, although great stats like these will likely get her past the first consideration hurdles!)</p>
<p>Foofit, two words: Harvey Mudd. Son loves it. 800 students total. As a female, you are in with merit aid and possibly full tuition (you'll have to apply and compete for that one). Your stats and interests make you a good match. Suburban SoCal campus, good climate, access to classes on the other four Claremont school campuses. Tops in engineering, science, and math. Politically apathetic, no Greeks, and it doesn't get more open-minded or dorky. Very close contact with full professors who teach ALL the classes, including recitations and labs. No TAs. None. Zip. Nada. Zilch. Plenty of opportunity for research. Son did an NSF REU on campus last summer, has applied for 4 off-campus for this summer (has already received 1 offer and is waiting to hear on the other 3). Engineering seniors do "Clinic" (check hmc.edu website), science majors do independent research. Oh... and we are southerners, too :)</p>
<p>Try posting on the Harvey Mudd College board here for more info. And good luck, whatever you decide to do.</p>
<p>I did have a "probably" before that "snap up". LOL. But you make a good point, and I should have been less effusive but I did not think anyone would take my post so literally. I appreciate that Olin will be very selective and why shouldn't they be? But their literature quite clearly suggests that they intend to grow and grow very quickly. That was my only point-that the rapid growth provides an opportunity that the OP may wish to pursue.</p>
<p>You know, just looking at the stats, ecs, and interests, you are a very strong candidate for one of those Picker engineering scholarships at Smith. I don't know how many there are, and, sadly, I don't think they are full tuition. And I don't know that their math department has everything you want - you'd have to check it out yourself. Has a terrific music department (my d. is a major). No frats, no sororities, not a big drinking scene. Lots of "dorks". And you asked for small - this is SMALL. But graduates with a 3.5 GPA have guaranteed graduate admissions at Dartmouth, JHU, Tufts, Notre Dame, Michigan, and Princeton.</p>
<p>mini, yes, Mudd has several good opportunities for merit aid -- some you apply for (Corporate Scholars), some you qualify for if HMC is your first choice (National Merit), and some you are just offered (Harvey S. Mudd Merit Award), in addition to a couple-few others.</p>
<p>Why do we tearfully listen to people (and their patents) lament they can not afford the Mercedes college they desire? Im tired of the greedy sillyness that is soo prevalent on C.C..</p>
<p>My own kid does super great and yet we cant afford the many schools who would gladly welcome him/her. I also know that this is nothing to b**ch about.</p>
<p>Idea!!! I think Ill go into the rear-window-college-decal biz. Lotsa money there to be made from the shortsighted, ego-driven types. </p>
<p>There are lots of those greedy type fools out there, young and old. Lots!</p>
<p>I'm also wondering how we made the quantum leap from legitimate question to "greedy type fools." The OP is looking for parental input for a very difficult problem, not at all of her own making. Look at her accomplishments and you'll see that she clearly belongs at a top-quality school and would contribute a great deal as a student. Why so bugged?</p>
<p>Foofit, CWRU should be on your list. I don't know about the applied math major, but the engineering program is terrific, as is the financial aid, and it's kind of a dork nirvana. (Though I know several non-dorks who attend! I also like dorks - even married one.)</p>
<p>My own kid does super great and yet we cant afford the many schools who would gladly welcome him/her. I also know that this is nothing to b**ch about.</p>
<p>The tips on this thread should be of use to your kid if s/he, like the OP, does "super great." Don't bite the hand that might feed you and yours.</p>
<p>I hear you Foofit, my daughter had the same concerns. You've gotten great suggestions on out of the South - Harvey Mudd intrigued my daughter, and she isn't interested in engineering. Southern schools in big cities, and schools that give large amounts of merit money won't seem as "Southern" - look at Rice, Tulane. What about Lehigh or Bucknell - they might be interested in a Southerner?</p>
<p>To the OP: I have no specific school suggestions, but a more general one: When you write your essays and meet with college reps, you might want to be careful about the tone you take in presenting yourself. It is one thing to be the most sophisticated or ambitious person in your high school class or small town, but it is another to come off sounding scornful, sarcastic, and snippy. I know this comment may sound a little harsh and may be criticized by other parents on the board, but I was a little put off by the tone of your comments and while I sympathize with your situation and admire your achievements I think the attitude reflected in your post won't be helpful in college applications or in finding a pleasant path in life.</p>
<p>Lol. This is definitely the parents' forum, no offense. I appreciate everybody's input and will think especially a lot about what toblin and mattmom said. Toblin, i'm not looking for a "Mercedes" college; I'm just hoping for a place where I could fit in and be intellectually challenged and socially stimulated.</p>
<p>Wash U might be good fit but be aware that the "great" merit aid that many have mentioned is not necessarily the case. Last year many CC posters who were counting on aid there were very disappointed in the amount they received . We personally know someone that received large amounts of aid from Carnegie Mellon, Santa Clara and others but got nothing from Wash U (it was his first choice btw) and ended up at CMU.</p>
<p>As others have mentioned, you might want to add CMU and Case Western Reserve to your list. Both are very fine schools and have been offering <em>significant</em> merit money to attract top students.</p>
<p>My advice, use the scatter approach. Apply to schools at every level. Schools that are trying to move up in the college ratings by raising their average GPA or SAT scores are going to pay you to go. Once you have the offers, you can decide whether to take the full ride or borrow money to cover the gap so that you can go to a school that is a better fit academically. Drexel comes to mind as a math oriented school that would almost certainly give you a full ride. I know it is a little big and not too fancy but wouldn't it be a comfort to know that you had it as an option? Now, I know that Drexel is bigger than your ideal school but I have a suggestion here as well. Many schools have a very protected honors program where students get highly personalized attention, special housing, registration and internships. This can give a small school feel even on a larger campus. Start saving up money for application fees now so that you can really spread your applications around. It is very hard to predict who is going to offer substantial merit money so you don't want to limit yourself. Then, when the offers have all come in, try the barter system. If you really want to go to school X but the merit award is too small, call them and tell them that you have other offers with much more merit money but that they are your first choice. Sometimes you will get a better offer. Finally, maybe when you get in to great schools and get offered impressive scholarships your parents will come to their senses and provide some financial backing. You deserve it!</p>
<p>Jsut a comment about previous post--Drexel has gotten some rather negative publicity lately as a result of fairly sweeping finacne-related policy issues under the direction of its president. I have no firsthand knowledge of the school other than driving past it a few times in or out of Philadelphia, but it seems to be in a process of having a lot of unhappy faculty members and possibly students as well so might not be a good choice even with substantial merit money. There has also been some discussion on past threads about overall and often negative impressions of Drexel visits--students considering this school should read those threads. There is no substitute for visiting, but it seems to me there are better alternatives for OP even with financial pressures.</p>
<p>Actually there is another active thread where the theme is that the parents cannot afford the top notch ivy league school and the unfortunate student ("sad story") is going to have to settle for less. :( I remember my father telling me not to bother applying to an ivy league school because the state university was a great school and much much cheaper. At the time, it seemed logical to me. In the current thread, however, the OP's problem is parents who are unwilling to pay for any college at all. With your great stats I am confident there will be many schools throwing merit aid your way. What about Juniata? (Not sure why I thought of this school - I don't know much about it) Checked their website and they have several full ride scholarships available.</p>
<p>Full ride merit aid is hard to come by. When schools make these offers they want something. Sometimes it is talent, sometimes improved overall stats. It seems to me that the important thing is to cast a wide net. With such a great academic profile, it would be tempting to choose only schools that have profiles to match. That isn't the way to secure large merit offers. This student needs to figure out what schools will want her for bragging rights. They are the ones that will offer the bit merit awards. </p>
<p>As far as the Drexel comments are concerned. Yes, the school has some serious issues and might be far beneath this applicant. That is why they will offer her a free ride. Should she apply, maybe not. My point was that during this nail biting time of year, it is really great to have one in the bag. It is also a potential tool when negotiating aid with a better match school.</p>
<p>Foofit, I think the strategy of casting a very wide net is important when looking for merit money. It's sort of like a treasure hunt, with a lot of dead ends. Keep thinking about your top two or three priorities when narrowing down your list of recommended colleges. For example, disregarding schools because of their affiliation with organized religion is going to restrict your choices. Can you afford to be so selective? Maybe, but maybe not. </p>
<p>On a related issue: why are your parents adament about not paying for college? Have things gotten so estranged that you are reduced to ultimatums? If so, try to get back to the negotiating stage. Your parents are very different from you, but that doesn't make them bad people. If you put some effort into finding a middle ground, you'll have a lot more choices as you make your decisions.</p>