<p>My advice is, if you are looking for some merit aid, be sure to look specifically at schools that offer it. Most of the top LAC’s do not (Middlebury, Williams, etc ). </p>
<p>DD is a senior and we are waiting for April 1 decisions to come out as she has applied to 8 very fine LAC’s in the Northeast. In the meantime, she has gotten letters of acceptance and substantial merit scholarships from 2 of her “safeties”. The “safeties” are also very fine schools, but not as prestigious. We parents are now wondering the 50K+ price tag of the top LAC’s could possibly be worth it, especially in this economy and another sibling to educate as well. Wish we had not put so much emphasis on applying to the “best” schools, when we now realize what a financial stretch it would be to send her.</p>