Thx for the info. My D got a very generous merit award for U Arts but nowhere near a full ride and she had high stats and high test scores. She was not a national Merit scholar though so that may have made a difference. She got large awards from most schools but it usually covered half to 75% tuition and we still had room and board which is generally not covered I know. Basically it worked out to about half the COA at most schools (which is still pretty pricey for the privates). I’m not complaining, she was blessed with the offers she got. This is what many of her friends got too.
I was just feeling confused because we don’t know anyone from her PA high school who got a full ride and some of the kids we know have the super high stats. But sounds like they didn’t apply to the schools that offer the full tuition break for that.
So, thank you, again. I will be doing research from a different angle next time around!