<p>The most selective schools don’t need to use merit aid to lure top achieving students and can use their money to attract a diverse class without regard to financial need. Merit aid increases yield as well as stats, keeps rankings higher, attracts a talented group of students who can bring recognition and prestige to the school and it also serves to ensure that some schools can attract a certain percentage of otherwise full pay students by discounting the tuition rate. </p>
<p>It’s somewhat controversial because some feel that kids who get merit aid are more often (not always) already the beneficiaries of educated and/ or wealthy parents. Kids who attend better schools, get tutoring and/or can afford to develop impressive ECs are more likely to quality for merit aid in the first place. That’s not to the advantage of those who would otherwise qualify for the same school but are gapped in an admit-deny scenario when they cannot afford the sticker price. Of course, some will tell you that a private college education is an earned luxury, not a right. Personally, I think that it is in a school’s own interests to provide opportunities to a wide and diverse range of students, from all socioeconomic groups. However, only the most selective and well endowed of the privates can afford to be need blind to that degree.</p>
<p>Emory also has a strong biology/NS department. </p>
<p>Its quite an adjustment for a FL kid to live in the NE. My son is spending his first year near Boston now, and I’ve heard its been worst winter in 30 years. I’d have your DD spend a week in NE and see how enthused she is after that.</p>
<p>Ah, it was not mentioned that the school was SCEA. In that case you are correct, only one.</p>
<p>My S was a Microbiology and Immunology major at UMiami and his girlfriend a Bio major. Both had access to ample research opportunities at the med school during their undergrad years and are pursuing graduate degrees in the health field, MPH & MPAS. They feel UM prepared them well. </p>
<p>The BS/MD program at UM is called the Honors Program in Medicine (HPME). Good luck.</p>
<p>Bookworm- I grew up in Cleveland and Chicago. I’ve told the Daughter
stories-- hockey on a flooded field across from my high school, different types
of snow whereby some makes a better snowball etc., 3 months not seeing
the sun (gray overcast), going thru multiple car batteries, my snow shoveling
route getting guys out of driveways to go to work. I’ve been in Florida for
26 years and at 62 I’m finally old enough to reject work up North. I’m staying
right here for the duration. We have Florida issues but I can deal with them!</p>
<p>My-3-sons- Did your son and YOU feel sufficient attention was paid to undergrads
at “The U”. ? Would your son make the same choice again? Curious</p>
<p>UMiami alumnus here, class of '82. Excellent science program. </p>
<p>Nephew wanted to attend several years ago, excellent student, but top financial merit package left parents paying 800/month, so he couldn’t attend.</p>
<p>But, UMiami will give her the NEast feel, as many students are from that area.</p>
<p>Since she’s premed, she might want to look at Tulane. They are very generous to premed majors.</p>
<p>Since you have two other children, I have to recommend U Alabama. Very generous merit aid, and great research opportunities. Kids from all over now attending because of the great merit aid. Son is there now on a totally full ride, hoping to attend grad school in biomedical engineering. In a great research honors program that includes lots of premeds as well. </p>
<p>If you didn’t do so… I would suggest you visit the schools in the Northeast in February. It’s when the weather is the coldest. If you went during the summer, early fall or late spring, your daughter could be very surprised when winter comes.</p>
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<p>Many of the schools on your list offer only need based aid and they also DO require the Profile in addition to the FAFSA for determination of financial aid. The exception is Princeton which has its own financial aid form in addition to the FAFSA. I would strongly suggest that you use one of the online calculators using the IM (institutional methodology) to get a GUESTIMATE of what your family contribution MIGHT look like. I would hate to see your daughter get accepted to one of these schools but have your family contribution come out too high for you to afford to pay.</p>
<p>Folks- It would seem to me that we have pretty much exhausted
this thread. I want to THANK YOU ALL! My family has learned
plenty. We will follow up on multiple suggestions.</p>
<p>I look forward to providing input FROM THE PROFESSORIAL SIDE.
If YOU have questions let me know.</p>
<p>Actually, bn, I do have a question. How did you like UCF? They sent lots of info to son, and he probably could have gotten a good scholarship, but they didn’t have biomedical engineering and I didn’t think he’d want such a big school. But he’s at Bama and studying mechanical engineering, so I’m keeping options more open for grad school. Was your college student overwhelmed at the size of UCF and how did you feel about the academics?</p>
<p>On the UMiami side, I just saw son’s high school post that six students were invited to compete for the Singer scholarship. It was new when I was at Miami, and I think only one was awarded, but maybe they’re leaning toward more merit aid nowadays. The campus was absolutely gorgeous, and I loved looking out my dorm window at Lake Oceola everyday. Although I didn’t get a job in my field of study, I never regretted attending Miami and thought I got a great education there. It was a lot less expensive when I attended, though, and my half tuition scholarship, plus working three jobs to pay the rest of it, left me with no debt, but no money for grad school. By the time I graduated, tuition quadrupled in price, perhaps because we had a new president, Foote, and the football team got good, so it was lot more affordable then than it is nowadays.</p>
<p>Montegut- Thoughts on UCF. Well I’ve been here 26 years. I feel the faculty
is first rate. As a faculty, we teach very well and always have. The Institution
has continued to improve in its’ balance between research and teaching. I’ve
pushed the research agenda hard as a Dept Chair and a senior full prof. This is
important for all concerned, and really for the value of the degree for undergrads.
UCF is a large SUS State university and must fullfill its’ destiny-- It is emerging as
a major player on the research scene. The game is science as it should be.</p>
<p>UCF has too many students. Growth, growth, growth in terms of butts in seats
has been far too important as a funding mechanism. I do not believe this will ever
end, especially as we look to State support of higher Ed in Florida. Butts in seats and
tuition increases will replace more and more of State support. Maybe grantsmanship will help
support UCF yet tuition increases from more and more butts will be THE major revenue
stream. I feel this is sad. Yet, this is our future. UCF is not an intimate place yet
faculty relate and give of themselves to students. Eventually, UCF’s push to
generate revenue via web based courses will bite the Institution in the rump with
students complaining. Recently, one Student Senate duo ran on an anti web based
platform. Years ago, when I was recruited to Chair my Department, 45K students
was the target and cap. We are pushing 10K beyond this now. UCF’s President
actually uttered 100K students a month ago. ugggghhhh!</p>
<p>UCF is what it is, the 3rd largest University in the Nation. Bottomline-- I see plenty
of good but also plenty of mediocre. </p>
<p>Thanks for your input about UCF. Can you tell me how you feel about the Burnett Honors program-a lot of people have said its way better than the honors program at UF.</p>