Giving up a top LAC for a full ride?

anjbo4680
Sun, 21 Feb 2021 21:22:20 +0000

Hey! I’m in a similar situation to you (we actually applied to 9 of the same colleges you mentioned, believe it or not), and the small LAC are almost certainly a better fit for me too rather than the private research universities, but receiving merit aid to other non LACs is about to make my decision very difficult, knowing my family’s financial situation. Some things I would take into consideration in making your decision: do you have siblings that will be going to college soon, and since you mentioned academia after college I’m assuming that means grad school? if so, perhaps going to a school with better financial aid and/or merit aid will be helpful so that you could have less debt from grad school. The Emory scholars program, even if you don’t receive the Woodruff scholarship, will give you at least half tuition, and in my opinion would definitely give you that close-knit, intellectual environment. A question I have is when will you hear back from the financial aid office? Before or after you get your RD decisions? I really feel for you - Swarthmore is an amazing place (maybe i’ll see you there next year lol) and I hope it all works out!