<p>If you work at a college, especially a LAC, you may be part of the tuition exchange program. I have read their web site backwards and forwards and have a good sense as to what percentage of accepted students are granted awards. However, most colleges provide scant information as to what criteria they use when, for instance, they suggest that in a typical year they grant between 41-60% of accepted students tuition exchange awards, Also, some colleges seem to fluctuate from year to year.
All of this may not be a problem for the S or D who has the qualifications to get into an Ivy college. They are likely to get an award from someone like Bucknell, Conneticut College, etc. However, for those of us who have kids with, say, a B plus GPA and so-so test scores, the process seems complex.
I am curious if there is anyone out there who has been going through this process or is about to go through it, and is in the same situation that I am in (B plus S with so-so test scores, though excellent ECs).
This is our situation, just so you can relate to our situation. My S is applying to BFA acting programs and LACs (with strong theatre programs) that are in the tuition exchange program. Top BFA programs with tuition exchange include Syracuse, Boston University, University of Florida, and Otterbein (We have rejected DePaul because of their cut policy). Good LAC acting programs in the TE program include Bennington, Muhlenberg, Sewanee, Beloit, and Lawrence. Getting into BFA programs is tough - harder than getting into an Ivy college - it’s just that a key selection criterion is how well the person can act as determined by resume and the audition/interview.
All this leads me to my question. Say Boston University is stingy in granting TE awards (assume 11-40%). Do most TE colleges make their decision based exclusively on GPA and test scores, or might a BFA college like BU grant an award based upon the rigors of getting into the BFA program based upon the resume and audition?
Any other input would be appreciated, and, if there are enough tuition exchange parents out there, perhaps we can get a productive thread going.</p>
<p>I’ve been through TE with D#1, and am now in the process with D#2. I don’t think my daughters’ experiences will be much help to your son. However, each college has a Tuition Exchange Officer. In your situation I’d ask the TE Officer at your college to contact the TE Officer where your S is most interested in attending and ask what the criteria is. Best of luck with your search for both acceptance AND money to attend!</p>
<p>A few days ago I wrote the financial aid office at Boston University (new to TE) to get their sense of what percentage of TE applicants will get awards. They did not say much, but suggested ‘stiff competition’. I expected this reply, as their ‘export’ policy seemed to me to be rather restrictive; five exports per year???</p>
<p>Have you talked to the TE Officer at your college about this? As NewHope says, he may be your best source of good info on things like this?</p>
<p>I teach at a small LAC and I know more about the process (other schools) and data than the person who is in charge. I’ve found it much more fruitful to contact the admissions/aid office of the target school. Perhaps I should have introduced this thread differently. I have spoken to many who have been through this process. Most find that the process has a lot of noise than suggested (one president/dean from export college calling the same of the target), that there are many variables that influence how many and who gets accepted. I was hoping that there were a number of CC members willing to share what they learned/are learning about the process - beyond the information that’s available. Again, the process is no sweat for the outstanding student, but less so for those whose S/Ds stats could be better.</p>