<p>Daughter likes linguistics, Chem and Spanish (Am Sign Language also).
U Rochester' merit/aid package is far too low for us (being appealed, and although the FA dept seems very approachable and nice, I am not optimistic).</p>
<p>Syracuse offered $15,000, and small loan; and U Maryland Coll Park Honors program offer results in somewhat lower tuition & costs than Syracuse.</p>
<p>Result is either school is more than $10,000 less per year than Rochester.</p>
<p>My son was accepted into U of MD's Honors program (Journalism). He was not accepted by Syracuse despite a 4.0 GPA, 1540 SAT score; co-editor of his college prep high school; and recipient of a number of Central PA writing awards. He's trying to decide between U of MD, American, Temple, Fordham and University of Scranton. All have offered scholarships and all have accepted him into their Honors Program</p>
<p>Having lived in and around Rochester for about 20 year, I think that Rochester is one of the best, if not THE best, cities to be in if you are interested in ASL. Because it is home to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at RIT, and for many long years was home to a premier school for the deaf, it has the highest per capita deaf population of any city. Folks use ASL all over town, many people learn it just for "fun" and anyone interested in it will have the chance to see theater PERFORMED in ASL (at RIT) and regularly interpreted at every other theater company, at most public events etc.</p>
<p>That said, we of course faced similar issues!!!! And my son is definitely choosing U.Md. honors over Rochester, but he is in-state and got a scholarship to the money difference is gigantic. We are still waiting on a few LAC's. As it was our local school, I have only recently investigated it and I have been very impressed.</p>
<p>I have friends who teach at U.R, but alas not in those departments. UR has reduced its merit aid significantly in the past 3 years, since getting a new director of admissions/fin aid -- I suppose a good thing for those with super low EFCs in the big picture who need pure need based aid but tough on those in the middle (they told me that just 2 years ago my S would have gotten $10,000!) </p>