@angstymom, what about a school in Texas? If she wants to get out of her comfort zone, tell her to look at Trinity University in San Antonio. It is a smallish LAC of around 2,300 that offers excellent merit scholarships. With her stats she would get the Murchison scholarship which is $24,000 per year. There is also the Tower scholarship which is competitive. Then there are the Semmes scholarships for science majors and those can be full tuition. Their admissions to medical school is high. There is lots of professor to students interaction and support.
Deadlines are approaching soon so if interested then have her look at their website.
San Antonio is a large urban area and has lots of fun things for the college crowd. Plus, Austin is only about 11/2 hrs away and that’s the best place in Texas hands down.
My friend’s D is there and as far as her mom can tell, loves it. And this was a girl that wanted to go to the east coast too. Have only heard great things about it. They really want their students to succeed.
We are currently visiting our D in Chicago and while it’s been fun, wish we were enjoying the San Antonio river walk in 70 degree weather about now.
Good luck!