<p>I wouldn’t rely too much on merit-based aid. Smith does offer some, but it’s a very, very, very selective pool for the STRIDE scholarships, less than 50 per class, so for any one, even a very qualified person like you, merit aid is rare and not to be counted on. </p>
<p>I would do what TD says, focus on educating your parents on why Smith is a name school. For one thing, it was practically Yale’s sister school before it went co-ed, so even if they haven’t heard of it, try to frame it as a sister-Ivy. </p>
<p>Then impress them with it’s list of famous alum, excellent career services, etc. The CEO of Ogilvy and Mather, the biggest advertising company in the world, is a Smith grad. The first woman doctor in Kenya. Sylvia Plath, Margaret Mitchell, Ann M. Martin, to name a few literary noteables. Rachmaninoff had his American debut at Smith. Robert Frost’s poem, “A Road Less Taken,” was written while he was staying at Smith as a guest of President Neilson. Gertrude Stein, Julia Child, Betty Freidan, all Smithies. </p>
<p>If you go to the alum section of the website you can look up famous alums. It sounds like your parents are interested in the prestige of the institution you are attending, and it’s not a completely unworthy factor. Just try to show them that Smith is prestigious, with the added bonus of being right for you. Bring in rankings if neccessary. Most of all, note that Smith is known for their network of amazing alums who will help you break into the world beyond college, whatever that world might be.</p>