<p>Villanova is a highly desired school in my son’s crowd. There is overlap among the three schools among kids applying from his high school, but it’s 'nova that gets the attention. Merit aid possibilities for the strongest kids, and according to those who go there, lots happening on campus. Nice area of Philly, and a great school all around. Didn’t hear anything about the food. </p>
<p>Haverford is one of the nation’s top LACs and is a great example of all that is wonderful in that sort of school. No merit aid there, but excellent financial aid, and no big deal sports teams from what I can see. A great advantage is that they do share resources with Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore, also excellent schools.</p>
<p>Seton Hall would be the safety school in the mix. 'Nova is no safety these days. I know too many kids who were turned down by the Haverford type schools also turned down there. Seton Hall has been very generous with merit awards is what I have heard. I don’t know much about the school but it does show up on a lot of lists at my son’s school.</p>