son is getting "express" applications...

lindalana
Tue, 19 Sep 2006 18:15:12 +0000

Rellie I would recommend your son to apply as early as he can and to about 10 school total, if you need to compare fin aid offers. Midwest schools will be probably more happy to have your S because of geographic diversity. I believe recent ranking listed Lake Forest and Knox colleges as #1 and #2 colleges where students are most happy with their fin aid. Lawrence and Knox do not require test scores and Lawrence is committed to meet your 100% need. Ohio which is geographically closer to you has many truly wonderful schools. Personally I like Hiram the best but College of Wooster, Denison, Ohio Wesleyan are schools that we visited and liked very much. For quick review of good midwest schools you can read Loren Pope “Colleges that change lives” book.
Those schools tend to travel together to diff cities for college fairs so you might find one not too far from you.
Anyway, my experience that midwest LAC tend to evaluate whole person and appreciate personal contacts with school. You need to talk to your son and figure out your game plan right away. Also many small LAC have scholarships for which you can apply separately. Wooster has talent scholarship where person can get as much as 16 K of merit aid. Check out with schools your S will apply and see if there are other separate portofolios to be submitted for additional scholarships.