<p>A response to “I thought a college is a business like everything else.” There are some college administrators who think this way but they’re the people who are hated and despised by college faculty. I’ve been teaching at the college level for 20+ years and while faculty know that colleges need to be run in a businesslike way, it’s important to us that colleges are not primarily a business. Most educators are not in it for the money. Many colleges are still non-profits and abide by the mission that education is about teaching and encouraging students’ intellectual growth–and not about getting as much money from them as possible. I know that this sounds hard to believe in the face of today’s astronomical tuition, but really, it’s what many faculty believe.</p>
<p>About the college search, I’m new to it since D is in 9th grade but hope that she’ll qualify for some merit scholarships since we’re going to be part of the “donut” contingent, making too much to qualify for much financial aid. I’m hopeful because she’s currently in honors classes and is one of a handful of students who has a merit scholarship at her private school. We’ll have to find her niche; also I’m fine with her not going to one of the top 20 or even top 50 schools.</p>
<p>sylvan8798, I’m curious about your comment: “When S was looking (and now D), OTOH, we were able to get a very good idea at each place he applied what he was likely to be offered.” How were you able to get an idea on this?</p>