I assumed that the OP’s budget needed to cover all expenses, including the indirect ones. Some schools overestimate (and that’s better than underestimating, which is harmful to students receiving need-based aid or even just needing to draw from a 529, with withdrawals constrained by a school’s stated student budget); that’s something to look at on a case-by-case basis… but going only on direct costs could leave the family with a shortfall. Regardless, even at UAH’s stated full cost of attendance, it comes closer to budget than most reputationally-similar colleges.
MS State is pretty rural, in addition to being a poor “vibe” fit. W. Carolina is pretty rural too. Huntsville is a real city with a real airport, etc. I was suggesting that UAH might be an exception to the rule, not trying to open the door to considering every potentially-affordable school in the south. At the very least, I hoped that the OP might weigh whether Huntsville could work and give some feedback - there’s no point suggesting schools that are farther out on the same continuum, if even the least-objectionable one doesn’t work for them.
Hi, we are also in MA & seeking merit for our S25. I think the top merit for instate at UMass Amherst is $2k. After your first year, there are opportunities to cut costs by becoming an RA or dorm peer tutor, but those positions are competitive so you can’t plan on that.
UMass Lowell offers merit up to full tuition: The Solution Center | UMass Lowell. The chancellors scholarship would leave you at around $16k for room & board.
I get it. I’m back to “affordable” based on budget.
Sounds like, no surprise, @AustenNut found an in state gem - and hopefully if the OP can squeeze up to 35K, schools like CNU, Millersville and more then come in focus.
I like direct costs - just because it’s apples to apples.
Speaking of Millersville - it’s $36K-ish with the potential to get $7K. They have $3K, $5K, $7K - but don’t list the necessary stats. It’s near Lancaster. If the budget goes up, it could be one to look at.
It’s also worth scanning the DIII list for schools that are generous with merit and meet your other criteria.
Just one example, for proof of concept: Ohio Wesleyan. It’s a CTCL school (profile here) that’s only 20 miles outside of Columbus. They have a business major, which is one of their more popular programs, and they have been recognized for their entrepreneurship opportunities. Their men’s lax team was 4th out of 45 teams in their region last year. Virtually every student receives either need-based aid, or merit, or both; and there seem to be at least a few merit awards that are large enough to make budget (and the student would be competitive for merit based on stats). There is Greek life, but it isn’t dominant (28% participate).
I’m sure this isn’t the only example we could find. The problem with the DIII scenario, though, is that getting coach support requires an early commitment, which can be incompatible with merit-hunting. It might be a matter of applying without coach support, and determining whether the student would be welcome as a walk-on if an affordable offer is received. Many of these schools (including OWU) have non-binding early action, which would at least provide a decision and an aid package in December if not sooner. And some might be willing to provide merit pre-reads.
Yes. There have been multiple discussions about this with momsearchengine. I respect their opinion but strongly disagree with their categorization as religious classes (“Bible classes”).
Without going further off-topic, I’d suggest the OP do their own research and form their own opinion if Rhodes is in consideration.
For what it’s worth, my D21 applied and Rhodes was one of her most affordable options (all merit, full pay family). It was a top choice until some surprises in March.
These are 2 out of 5 options.
From Rhodes website:
“Courses that fulfill the F1 must satisfy the requirement of the Bellingrath Trust to offer academically ‘sound and comprehensive’ exploration of biblical texts and traditions.”
F1s are 3 semesters of classes.
Bellingrath gave Rhodes in 1960s huge amount of money under the above condition. Rhodes needs those money (used for scholarships), so administration dances arounf F1 options and add some new ones.
Option 1 - Life -straight Religios
Option 2 - Search - Christianity vs. Judaism vs. Muslim views etc.
Option 3 - Ancient Mediterranean Studies (through Bible and Ancient Mediterranean books like Iliad)/ Cultural Knowledge
There are some more options, again from website:
“Sequences are chosen from “SEARCH”, “LIFE”, “CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE”, “HISTORY IN HISTORICAL CONTEXT”, or INTRODUCTION TO ANCIENT GREEk”. LOOK under F1. https://sites.rhodes.edu/academic-and-learning-resources/academic-advising-resources-students/new-student-advising-guide-2
Sorry not trying to be aggressive or smth, but DD just finished 2 classes. (They absolutely were not fun… ) You can call them religious or anything else but students are required to read from Bible a lot in all options. See my quotes from website above. They are by design include religious books studying.
That’s surprising as so many schools that require “religion” classes have really insightful, diverse, and interesting offerings that are so different than what one would see in a typical religious private high school. Then again, the ones I’m familiar with tend to be Jesuit or Lutheran.
Well, Rhodes is trying very hard at the same time to satisfy Bellingrath fund requirements and contemporary world students. School needs diversity (Jews, Muslims, foreign students etc) so they have to come up with some flexibility in Bible study. That is what they try to present. Nevertheless, I know that majority of students treat these classes as obligation (school is not religious anymore.) Also Rhodes does not advertise this requirement… You kind of have to look for it. As a result, for many students 3 semesters of Bible study (one way or another) is a big surprise after commitment to Rhodes…It is either Rhodes scholarship money with these clases or look for another school. And Rhodes F1 classes are not Bible to Anime or Sex and Bible…
I suggest taking this fork in the conversation to another thread.
Note: The Foundations courses were discussed in tours, in-person and virtual sessions in 2021. No hiding the requirement. My kid thought the options sounded interesting, and I felt the curriculum was similar to western civ classes I took in college. The kids we know at Rhodes appreciated the Foundations and found the class discussions enlightening. YMMV.
I’ll go beyond suggesting to take the conversation about Rhodes and their required courses to another thread or PM, and say that further posts will be deleted without comment.
@Send_Help, I know you mentioned that your family was feeling overwhelmed by this process in your original post, and I don’t know if we’ve made the situation better or worse .
Based on what’s been shared so far, are there particular preferences that are more of a priority than others? Are there any questions or reactions that you want to share?
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