This sounds like WIlliam & Mary which is right at the edge of driving distance. UVA potentially and both have good scholarships along with Richmond, which is private. BC is like a cross between and state school and a LAC and has the Gabelli Scholars but only about 15 of them for the entire class.
Will UVA or WM be affordable for this family? Their budget is 45-50k per year…and it’s unclear if they qualify for need based aid. If not…merit, particularly at UVA would be challenging to get.
Plus…VA isn’t in the northeast…at all.
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We heard about that “plus meals” award over the summer at an Oswego open house but I am not sure they are still offering that. The website has some year-specific info related to this - it’s not super clear but I got the impression that they have done away with that particular offering and are now just offering more traditional merit awards. It may be worth digging deeper if it’s something you’re interested in.
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He might be open to VA, but I don’t think we can afford UVA or WM,–both of their NPCs say we’d be full pay there, & merit aid seems quite competitive at those schools. When I run NPCs I’m generally getting full pay at OOS publics & anything from 40-75k at LACs & private universities. He may try for a couple of high reach LACs or hard-to-get scholarships, but I’m trying to keep his list focused on places where merit aid seems highly likely.
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I’d say UMaine is very likely for honors. Also, remember that you can get MA state tuition through the New England Regional Student Program if his major is not offered at UMass. Even without the NERSP, you will come in way under budget with merit.
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My son was admitted to Oswego yesterday with 2 merit awards. I don’t remember what the exact dollar amount of each was or the names of the awards, but together they brought the total down to exactly what we had calculated it should be if he got the match and the meals ($26,000/year).
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Surprised UNH isn’t on the list. Better academically than UVM (or at least ranked higher), and the location can’t be beat. Honors program is excellent.
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Will look into Oswego, thank you!
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Hi Carnu2000,
I am sure UMass Lowell would welcome your son with open arms! My daughter just got her letter of acceptance with 50% off tuition & fees as merit award, invited to join the honors college, and have the opportunity to become one of their immersive scholars with $4,000 award. It’s not her top school but she’s extremely thrilled with the package and might end up going there if her 1st and 2nd choices won’t give her a comparable package and exposure to a meaningful college experience (honors and immersive scholar). Your son’s stats are impressive. My daughter got in the Kennedy College of Sciences with 3.96 UW/ 4.86 W, 1530 SAT (780 Eng, 750 Math), commended National Merit, nothing extraordinary about her ECs. UMass Lowell wants students like your son. Good luck!
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UNH is a good suggestion. I took a three-day course there a few years ago and really enjoyed the campus and facilities. Great little town, too.
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I agree! UNH is a great one to check out- but on the pricier side.
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Sigh, I know that UNH should be on the list & I’m hoping that it eventually will be. He’s resistant to it right now because we’ve had family members have not-great experiences there (IMO because of reasons that are specific to them, not because of a problem with UNH). I am hoping that he will be more open to what it has to offer as we get deeper into the process.
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That is great to hear! Several of my former students (I’m a high school teacher) are having great experiences there.
I’m a mom of a student at a different institution, but work at in a student facing position at UMaine.
I highly recommend UMaine and our Honors College - definitely come tour! Maybe ask admissions if they have an honors college student who could give your family a tour of campus - to really learn what it is like! We have both a big school and small school feel, and as an R1 research institution, there are so many opportunities!
Reach out if you have any questions, I’m happy to help if I can!
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Everyone has their own experience. Both my niece and nephew are loving it.
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Yes, I totally know that his bias against UNH is not fair. Hoping to get past it eventually; I know that it’s a great school with a lot to offer.
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For as long as I can remember Geneseo has been considered the SUNY “LAC”, it’s a beautiful school in a small town which gives it that traditional NE LAC feel.
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Thank you! We will visit for sure & I will reach out with questions!
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TCNJ at full price is within your budget and I wouldn’t be surprised if he got some merit. It’s a public LAC with about 7,000 students. The campus is very walkable but not much to do within walking distance of campus. I do think there’s a lot to do on campus though. It’s pretty strong academically. Most public NJ schools are within your budget at full price.
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