When Reality Sets In: help me help my sister find hidden ives.

College Search & Selection
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<p>OP, is your sister a NMSF? There are merit possibilities in that direction. </p>

<p>One of my favorite threads on CC, an oldie but still worth reading: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/881237-ivy-caliber-safeties-matches-condensed-advice.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/881237-ivy-caliber-safeties-matches-condensed-advice.html&lt;/a&gt; (OP for that thread ended up at Swarthmore).</p>

<p>Based on doing this kind of search for the older kid but a few years back (so FA/merit aid policies may have changed): American, GWU, Macalester, U Rochester all have merit aid in varying amounts and strong political science departments. UM College Park is another possibility; note that you need to apply early for merit aid consideration. </p>

<p>Wellesley doesn’t offer merit aid, but many other women’s colleges do (e.g. Bryn Mawr, Smith).</p>

22

<p>Wow, so many replies! Thanks so much. Everyone’s responses have been really helpful. To answer questions that have been posed:

  1. We fortunately don’t have any financial need and could realistically afford to pay the sticker price. However, she wants to attend law school, which is pretty pricey, so some kind of scholarship would be helpful .
  2. She also will most likely receive some national merit designation.
  3. I took the term “hidden ivies” from a college guide book I read. What I mean by “hidden ivy” is a nation, top-tier college that offers a great education without the prestigious name (as perceived by an average Joe) or incredibly low acceptance rate.</p>

<p>Also, the “Ivy-caliber Safeties (and Matches): Condensed Advice” post is extremely helpful!</p>

23

<p>Schools with incredibly low acceptance rates are less likely to offer merit awards. They don’t have to award merit; they already get enough apps from top students.</p>

24

<p>Northeastern comes to mind as does Tulane. (Though neither is really a “hidden”)</p>

<p>BTW, I really hate the term Hidden Ivy. Though it’s meant as a compliment, to me it comes out more like Ivy Wannabe. I honestly think that most of the so-called hidden Ivies have carved out their own niches or excellence and stand on their own merits.</p>

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<p>I mean without incredibly low acceptance rates. Sorry!</p>

26

<p>GW has merit aid.</p>

<p>Wash U has a very strong poli sci department. It does offer merit aid, but I think it is super-competitive to get it, and even acceptance is getting quite difficult. </p>

<p>Tufts is well-known for IR.</p>

<p>Dickinson College has a very international focus, and she would be a good candidate for merit aid.</p>

27

<p>mousegear, if your sister ends up with NMSF status there are some nice merit options. Commended status doesn’t help much, unfortunately. </p>

<p>Tufts has a wonderful IR department but essentially* no merit aid, so it’s not a good pick for the OP’s sister.</p>

<p>*$2k NMF spread out over four years</p>