<p>Is giving an idea of how much merit she needs “too personal”? I think it is needed. If the family won’t qualify for much/any aid, and can only spend - say $20k per year - then if we suggest $60k schools that will give her $15k in merit, what good will that do? I don’t think saying something like: The family can contribute about XX per year is identifying. </p>
<p>What do you mean by: "Third, the financial implications of a 3-2 program are, definitely, of interest to her. "</p>
<p>? Do you mean that they are a concern to her? That is understandable because the 2 year school won’t likely match the 3 year school’s offer…especially if merit was involved. </p>
<p>I would have her apply to:</p>
<p>3 schools with assured HUGE merit
2-4 schools where her stats will make her a likely recipient of large merit ($25k per year plus)
3-4 schools where her stats will likely make her a finalist for consideration for highly competitive big awards (be aware that these often require “interview weekends” which can sometimes be the “same weekends”. These weekends are sometimes difficult for a busy senior to attend. Don’t know if the travel costs are covered by the schools or not. </p>
<p>@mom2collegekids , yes, that’s why I said “full-ride” schools. Family may be able to make up difference in “full-tuition” and “full-ride” if the program/fit is more exceptional than the “full-ride” schools and if the student receives outside scholarship $$. But, for now, we are only looking for “full-ride” scholarship possibilities, which knocks schools like Reed out of the running, and puts schools like Davidson (full ride college merit scholarships) or Tulane (STAMPS school) into play.</p>
<p>And, yes, your wording is better than mine. I meant that the 2 years of the 3-2 program are a concern for her. That’s something that I don’t think she had considered and that I hadn’t thought about. VERY helpful information.</p>
<p>And, she is basically going to follow your application plan, with the addition of a few top schools that offer generous FA. </p>
<p>OP - I don’t know whether Pomona is “generous;” a “full ride” is unlikely, but I know that they have relatively deep pockets. Unfortunately, many smaller, selective schools will get the students they want without having to sweeten their offers. They are likely to reserve financial aid for need, and to bring in more diversity (socioeconomic and geographic, as well as racial and ethnic). NCF takes great pride in the fact that more than two-thirds of its students graduate debt-free. The other side of that is that close to 80% of their students are Florida residents who get a terrific deal. Out-of-state students received an automatic $15k merit scholarship (renewable for four years). That puts the cost of attendance under $30k, and competitive with in-state costs at most public universities. It is not a full ride, and additional aid would only be need-based. It could not compete with various Honors and Regents financial packages in your home state, either. We were a high-EFC household (high assets, low income), and NCF offered the best deal for a student who wanted to go to college in a different part of the country from the part he grew up in. </p>
<p>Pomona will be financial need only. For a family with some means it’s highly unlikely they would offer a full ride. And, I hadn’t seen that’s what you’re looking for. Bard does not offer a full ride, only full tuition. Have you looked at Rhodes? There was a poster some years ago who chose Rhodes over Yale, I believe, and was very happy there.
However, why do you feel it’s necessary for your daughter to get a full ride? Wouldn’t you be willing to pay for her room and board if she is at a terrific school? We didn’t have a lot of money to spend on our sons’ educations, but we paid what we could - even though they could have gotten full rides elsewhere. But it just didn’t make sense for them for what they needed. One son was an NMF as well, and had many options, but we gladly paid what we could so he could be at a perfect place, even though he could have gone elsewhere for less.</p>
<p>Saving four years of room and board by going for a full ride rather than full tuition could easily add up to $45K. For a student planning to go to grad school (or taking a job in a high-cost-of-living area where the parents could then subsidize some expenses) it might be worth it.</p>
<p>@SpiritManager , thanks for the info! The student is not my daughter. She is a friend of our family. And, for the reason @sally305 is suggesting, the family is keeping options open. However, if you have a student with this student’s AMAZING stats, outstanding personal qualities, extraordinary leadership, great interviewing skills AND the presence of mind and foresight to look past the labels and rankings to the financial offerings, program quality and fit, why WOULDN’T she go for full-rides? She has SO much to offer any school she attends that I think she’s wise to focus on schools where she can save her limited resources for the future. ;)</p>
<p>And, I forgot to mention that Rhodes is “on the list” of schools for her to look at. However, they don’t have full-rides, do they? I think that Sewanee might be too rural for her–more like Williams or Amherst, I think? But Rhodes–gorgeous campus, Memphis is fun, and close proximity to other major Southern cities. So, it’s on the list, but not sure about how the $$ would come together. She might qualify for a little bit of FA, or have outside scholarships to make up the difference. </p>
<p>Graduate programs in STEM are usually fully financed with stipends. She may not need to sacrifice the present to save for the future. Unless she’s planning on med school. </p>
<p>You can look at Fordham in NYC. Urban school that seems to be the size she likes. The school typically gives excellent aid to strong applicants, especially NMF, the STEM program is very good, strong students get into top grad schools, and she might even qualify for the highly selective honors program.</p>
<p>Yes, @SpiritManager , med school is still in the mix. That’s one of several reasons why she is particularly interested in searching for full-rides. The student is looking for a school where she will be challenged academically, have opportunities and access to internships, interesting study abroad programs, etc., but where there isn’t a pervasive competitive atmosphere, as is the case with some of the most highly-ranked schools. Her HS is a pressure cooker, and she wishes to kinda be done with that for a while. She will be a top student wherever she goes, but she doesn’t want to feel like getting a 4.0 is the end-all/be-all of her college experience. That’s what she loves so much about Brown. Happy, laid back students. Fun atmosphere. Lots of opportunities for engagement on campus and off. And, regardless of what some may think on CC ( ), a challenging, but non-competitive academic environment. So, if she can find a school that meets these criteria to some degree AND won’t be a huge financial burden to her family, she would like to do so. </p>
<p>3+2 programs are generally for “3” schools without engineering (typically LACs) to market themselves to prospective engineering students. Relatively few students actually transfer to the “2” school, since admission and financial aid at the “2” school is often uncertain.</p>
<p>Physics courses and curricula are rather standardized, but since the major is not that popular, you need to check on if all of the typical upper division physics courses are offered on a regular basis (ideally at least once per year). Reed and Oberlin are among the LACs with more frequent physics course offerings. Astronomy may be a subarea or elective courses in physics.</p>
<p>If geology is of interest, has she considered two small low cost schools, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology?</p>
<p>Very helpful info, @ucbalumnus . Geology isn’t an interest. It’s very helpful to understand the 3-2 programs better, because that, I think, was the primary thing that drew her to Mt. Holyoke. However, I don’t think she’ll have a problem getting her grad school paid for if she goes for a PhD. MD would be an entirely different story, and that option is currently in play (thus, the concern for merit money). Thanks for this!</p>
<p>Note that the two low cost “mines” schools mentioned also have good engineering offerings, if that is of interest. If she is interested in 3+2 programs, that implies that engineering is of interest.</p>
<p>Harvey Mudd was mentioned above, but I doubt it is a financial fit for this student. There is some merit aid, but usually not large amounts, and even high stats kids don’t always get it. Also, the environment is very academically intense, although more cooperative than some other top schools. Agree with early posters also that Swarthmore is not a fit, it is also academically very intense.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus and @intparent , per usual, I find both of your assessments of the situation accurate. I think sheis looking more on the coasts, and seems to be leaning more east than west. And she is familiar with HM, but it isn’t of interest to her. I did suggest she look at Pomona, though. However, as others have said, the money may not be there. </p>
<p>Here on CC I am well known for my affection for South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. Very strong engineering departments. Well regarded by engineers and engineering companies (and graduate schools) nationally. Don’t know if it’s a good place for a pre-med (BioMed Engineering is a graduate only department at SDSM&T), but overall the STEM education is excellent. The cherry on top is that SDSM&T is an educational bargain. Your student’s stats would likely earn admission rather easily. Plus, Mines is going all out to increase the 27% share of females in the student population. Women have done very well at Mines but the school just started a Womens Student-Mentor program this year. Mines and Rapid City are not rural per se, but the area may be too remote for your student’s taste. Denver is about a 6-hour drive south. The new President of Mines is a Rhodes Scholar and former Congresswoman.</p>
<p>Thanks, @LakeWashington . The student does not have a CC account, but she is reading this thread now with great interest, so your helpful information on SDSM&T has been duly noted. ;)</p>
She will be a top student wherever she goes, but she doesn’t want to feel like getting a 4.0 is the end-all/be-all of her college experience. That’s what she loves so much about Brown. Happy, laid back students. Fun atmosphere. Lots of opportunities for engagement on campus and off. And, regardless of what some may think on CC (