any one else feel like your kid is a slouch?

glassharmonica
Sat, 04 May 2013 06:48:52 +0000

the deeper I get into this, the more I am realizing that her best bet may be applying to several LACs with big endowments who meet most of need and also happen to have decent theatre programs. they will be difficult to get into, but I think she may stand a chance. her senior year is looking good in terms of what can support her GPA/ACT…lots to add to her resume in terms of theatre leadership, senior theatre project and this summers’ conservatory performance.

chaptertwo, the more I read about the ever-shifting world of college admissions and financial aid, the more I understand the wisdom of your approach. If only I’d had this information a few years ago (but even then the situation was different, and endowments were larger.) The problem with many schools is that even their top talent grant plus their top academic merit grant leaves a gap. And, often, private schools that give full-tuition, or near that, to students with 0 EFC just can’t or won’t cover the gap after the Stafford loan. If the parent can’t qualify for a Plus loan (which I wouldn’t recommend, anyway), the student is then given more loan, not grant. So, the student will graduate with closer to $80K debt instead of the usual Stafford $30-ishK.

Graduating completely debt-free is probably not an option or even a reasonable goal for almost anyone but the most wealthy-- but starting life with crippling debt is not wise (which of course you know!) So yes, LACs with big endowments. And universities that offer automatic upgrades for scores/GPAs. That’s where the slouch-factor becomes problematic. Of course, as we have all pointed out, your daughter is not a slouch at all. But with a 21 ACT and a 3.5 GPA she would not get the automatic tuition discounts that come to someone with, say, a 31 ACT. (Don’t quote me, but I think for a 31 or 32, Temple University, which has a good theater program, will give full tuition and a travel stipend.)

It’s a lot to think about, but your proactive strategizing will certainly help a lot.