Third child college search - Looking for outdoorsy and good financial aid or merit [CA resident, 3.98 GPA, 34 ACT, <$15k]

[blueberriesforsal]

My student’s a current student at Whitman - when they were looking at colleges they were seeking a school where they could continue to be outdoorsy, and wanted a LAC as they didn’t know yet what they might major in. We also needed to stick to a particular budget, and Whitman met it.

Here is a comment I wrote describing the incredible outdoor access, education, and opportunities there (my student doesn’t have a car, and it’s not an impediment to being super outdoors)

Whitman vs Grinnell College

My student’s at Whitman, I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have, and feel free to message me privately. I’ll add information here for other readers that may come across this thread, focusing primarily on the outdoors aspect of your questions: I would describe Whitman as one of those hidden gems because of its location; if it were on the East Coast it would be well known, but as families there and in the Midwest can throw a rock and hit a dozen terrific LACs, there really isn’t a reason as to why they should or must look across the country at others. So it’s not really on anyone’s radar I’d describe the kids at Whitman as “smart and kind” - and yes, a lot of them are very outdoorsy and the outdoor program itself is fantastic, and they have a terrific rentals shop on campus for any and all outdoor gear at inexpensive prices (from kayaks, to tents, to backpacks and snowshoes, sleeping bags, stoves, etc.; plus all the clothing you might need such as hiking b…

This is a comment I wrote about Whitman’s Early Financial Aid Guarantee; I can’t exactly remember the GPA of my student (around 3.95-4.0 maybe—in honors classes, at a school that doesn’t offer AP) and they had a 790/750 SAT score. They received Whitman’s top merit award.

Potential full pay families applying for Financial Aid at Need Aware schools?

I agree with all the thoughtful posters here (and I am so sorry for the uncertainty in your positions right now). It sounds like you are in CA, and are considering LACs and merit aid. Have you looked at Whitman? They offer the early financial aid guarantee, in which the admissions and finical aid office will provide you with the minimum guaranteed amount of aid your student will receive if they are admitted. For looking at merit aid alone, the student only need provide: An unofficial copy of their high school transcript Their senior year academic schedule SAT/ACT scores (optional) (For those requiring need based aid who would like an early reply, prior to the ED deadlines, families submit the CSS Profile on October 1.) For merit awards alone, students can self report their SAT or ACT scores, and ask their high school registrar for a copy of their transcript (typically they will just email you a PDF, or your student has a copy of it from the end of the junior year). They also m…

And here’s some info I’ve linked previously on their Environmental Studies program and their fantastic Semester in the West program….

Environmental Studies

Semester in the West Explores New Directions