<p>I agree with cangel's advice about getting an expert to analyze FA implications of gap year. On another thread I had suggested that luliztee inquire as to whether "paying down" all of the college savings for freshman year might qualify D for better need-based FA as a soph.</p>
<p>luliztee, you need a good sit-down with a FA person, and I think finding one at a Catholic college is a good idea. The other possibility is engaging an educational consultant. They are in the yellow pages but I think a referral would be more reliable; an edu consultant would have much of this $ info.</p>
<p>The money situation is difficult and frustrating, however, I want to assure you you are not alone. In fact this sort of "shoot lower or leave northeast" strategem is also common among wealthy families-- families who really want their borderline/median stat kids to attend a tier one school. Your issue is getting merit aid, while many others' issue is just getting IN. </p>
<p>My D's top choices were similar schools to your D's wish list. Her list also included Grinnell, Kenyon, Beloit, & Lawrence. We investigated Denison & Carleton as well. No, she wasn't crazy about those locations-- but she realized that, once on campus, it wouldn't matter as much <em>where</em> she was... but it would matter with whom. </p>
<p>After visiting Smith, she applied there too... realizing the "all female" compromise might be preferable to a "Wisconsin winter" compromise. Really take a look at Smith, Holyoke, & Bryn Mawr; such appealing schools and closer to the geo. location she wants.</p>
<p>I would hand your D a list of the suggested schools that you've got and tell her to build from the bottom up: begin with finding two sure bets (both admissions and $) that she'd find appealing, then move up in selectivity adding more schools at each level, and then if she wants a statistical reach to end on, fine.</p>
<p>When doing this with my D I kept using questions like: well, if you can't have Haverford-- would you rather be at Allegheny, or Kenyon? Or let's say you got into Beloit and Smith. Would you be tempted to go to Smith?</p>
<p>It isn't easy to get these kids to think outside their boxes!! But the payoff will be her having several choices in April. Believe me, the wish list EVOLVES between now and April. Your main job is to widen her scopes and insist on enough applications that there will be choices. </p>
<p>Personally I think simply NOT applying to financial impossibilities is the best way, because it will force her to get over pipe dreams, be realistic, and to fall in love with other possible & realistic schools.</p>