<p>DD has 4.27 weighted, 3.97 unweighted (one B in weighted class) as a junior, and got 31 on first try on ACT. Thinks that with study, she can raise ACT to 33 or 34. Worst score was math and due to scheduling has not taken trig yet and geometry teacher was kind of a joke. She made an A but only because she taught herself. Lots of kids in the class fell behind and kids that had him notoriously test worse. He is no longer at the school. She took the SAT but doesn't have score back.</p>
<p>She already qualifies for admission at 5 of her 6 schools of choice. Sixth is University of Chicago, which we probably can't afford.</p>
<p>Anyone have a feel for scholarship likelihood at state schools in MW, SW or South?
Thanks.</p>
<p>I forgot to mention that she has a pretty strong possibility of being editor for the school paper next year, and she has received some honors in art competitions. I don’t know if those things make any difference or not.</p>
<p>We found U of Chicago to be relatively generous with aid, so have her apply EA there if she is interested. My D got both some merit aid AND need based aid; some colleges gave her NO need based aid, so even if you are borderline in terms of whether you think you will get it, go ahead and apply. Their essays requires a lot of “chewing over”, I think, so be sure she starts them early. This is assuming her SATs are strong – do you know her PSAT score? Any chance she will be a national merit finalist?</p>
<p>Also, don’t assume state schools are your best financial deal. A lot of privates offer good merit scholarships, and OOS tuition is obviously very high at a lot of state schools.</p>
<p>Her PSAT was 196. Not high enough for NM. A nephew with very good scores (35 ACT, don’t know about SAT) was told by some privates that you have to have those scores to get in so very little offered for merit, only aid would be need based. He got books, tuition, room and board at a good state school.</p>
<p>She’s applying at Chicago, but thinks it’s mostly as a lark. We’re in that “upper middle class” range where we don’t think we’ll qualify for much if any “need” aid, but can’t afford to pay full for private.</p>
<p>Her GPA and ACT score are good enough for many decent schools. However, she will need some push to get into top schools or merit aids. You are correct that most top schools do not offer merit aid but only need based aids. Indeed, they mostly accept students with very good academic standings anyway. Their acceptance rates are very low, but they do offer very good need base aids. For example, Stanford could be more affordable than certain state public colleges after aids. Hopefully she can get 33-34 in retaking ACT. My D was at 31 in practice score in June last year and reached 35 by December after 20+ practice tests. So, it is very feasible. Good luck to your D.</p>
<p>The tippy top schools don’t offer much merit (although U of Chicago does). But there are tons of private schools in the 10-50 ranking range on US News that are very good schools AND offer merit aid. My D got the following merit offers in this last admission cycle:</p>
<ul>
<li>$5,000 U of Chicago (yes, small amount, but some students got more – and they gave her some need based aid)</li>
<li>$22,000 - Lawrence</li>
<li>$25,000 - Mount Holyoke</li>
<li>$15,000 - Macalester</li>
<li>$15,000 - Kenyon</li>
</ul>
<p>She was also NMF, so actually would have gotten $1000-$2000 more per year at most of those schools as well, it just wasn’t on paper yet because she did not put them down as her first choice school.</p>