Wash U Is Distasteful!

ST2
Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:02:08 +0000

Sam Lee – I guess that I don’t have a problem with merit scholarships. As you stated - “Middle class” is exactly the group WashU likes targeting because they are the ones that would be faced with the tough decision of choosing HYPS with debt (the poor ones go to HYPS for FREE) vs WashU with merit-based scholarships.

From my experience your statement is partially true. The exception being that I know of quite a few students in the Scholars programs whose families could easily be classified as poor. For the lower middle class and middle class WashU is a blessing. It gives high achieving kids a chance to attend a great school without families going head over heels into debt. I don’t have a problem with kids who have worked hard and achieved success in HS being rewarded. In our case and also with most of the Scholars we have met – there were no prep classes or special counselors or assistance. That may indeed be the case with wealthy families – but it does not seem to be the case with most Scholar program participants. I am all for “social justice”, but not if it means mortgaging my retirement or my kids future with a lifetime of loan payments.

As for schools using merit programs to attract top students – yes that is a fact of life. We turned down merit scholarships at several other top schools (including Duke) for WashU. Did the merit awards make a difference – absolutely. Did WashU get value for money - absolutely – they got a top student – active on campus (organizations & sports – top GPA) – so it seems like a win win situation to me.

I am sure that there will be people who disagree with my take on the situation. That is certainly their right. I believe that WashU is doing the right thing. Both students and their families seem to love the school and consider themselves to be part of a big happy family. If the situation works for you – then go for it. If not then I am sure there are other alternatives that will work as well. It certainly worked for us and I still feel it was the best choice in our case.