<p>Since I am applying to both,actually I am still considering over Wellesley, I want to know which college I stand a better chance in getting aid? Which college gives more importance to diversity, which probably can boost my chance in getting higher aid and also getting admitted, ? I cant afford either of thm without enough aid, since my mom is not working, n dad is not alive. So my stats (SAT 2100 CR 750, Math 690 Writing 660) and GPA around 3.75. SAT 2: BIO 790, MATH 2 760 Physics 690 Chem 700) 2 APs with 4, AP Calculus AB 5</p>
<p>So, which college best suit me based on my financial need?</p>
<p>And I am choosing Biology as a major.</p>
<p>I kinda posted this over in Barnard thread too :)</p>
<p>A good starting point would be to look at the endowment, along with student body size. Unless Barnard's finances are tied to Columbia's (which I doubt they are), I believe Wellesley has a higher endowment (I think 3rd or 4th in the nation, at least, for LACs). Schools with larger endowments can generally spend more in scholarship money. Obviously, if a school has more students, this will mean less money per student. So I'd divide each school's endowment by the number of students it has to get a general feel for which is better.<br>
That said, I don't know very much about Barnard, but I do know that Wellesley promises to meet all demonstrated financial need. The average grant award is 20k+ and they cap student loans and work-study at around 2k, last I checked. That's pretty darn good. They certainly wouldn't discriminate against you in admissions because of your low income, and I suspect they would cover all of your tuition. In general, though, do some research on this. Talk to the financial aid office and current students with similar economic situations, and definitely check the boards here. I definitely got a very favorable impression of their financial aid policies from that. Also, if you're considering an all-womens' school, you should definitely apply to Mt Holyoke as well. I've seen very generous financial aid offers met, especially based on merit, by them. In general, I've read in quite a few places that the 'women's colleges take care of their own' in the way of finance very well. </p>
<p>What exactly do you mean by diversity?</p>
<p>As I posted before, Barnard awarded us fabulous financial aid. There were some on the accepted students board who said it trumped Wellesley's aid, though I am sure there are students who had the opposite experience.</p>
<p>I think you just have to apply to both and see who accepts you and who comes through. I would add Mt. Holyoke as well, because the FA is excellent. In addition, Smith awards merit aid.</p>
<p>Out of all the women school, I think Smith and Mt Holyoke give better merit aid. Last year, I think somebody at CC did not receive enough aid from Wellesley. Dartmouth and Bryn Mawr gave her better money. I think she is attending Dartmouth now.</p>
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I think Smith and Mt Holyoke give better merit aid.
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<p>Wellesley does not award merit aid, which would account for the difference :)</p>