<p>I’m thinking of throwing in an extra application. Now, I’m looking for something rather specific. A school that is a bit creative and quirky, maybe on the smaller side, along the lines of a Wesleyan-type school. Obviously, should have good academics, particularly in humanities. Any schools like this that offer merit scholarships of full rides or full tuition?</p>
<p>Or if this is impossible, larger universities in nice cities with plenty of culture going on and an intelligent student body that offer full rides? I’m already applying to BU and Northeastern. Strong writing programs would be great. Stats wise, 34 ACT, 2240, 750s and 790 on SAT IIs, school doesn’t rank but top 5%, good but not jaw dropping ECs, Asian female, Westchester.</p>
<p>Interesting, I’ve never really looked at Grinnell. Thanks! Although 15k is nothing to sneeze at, their tuition and board still comes out to near 40k, so I’m not sure. However, it looks like an interesting school. Imagine saying I was going to college in Iowa!</p>
<p>Grinnell is a good suggestion, I’d also suggest Lewis & Clark College, which offers merit scholarships (not sure about full tuition?). Good academics, great location, and a really beautiful campus.</p>
<p>Thanks! They offer full rides!! (though it looks highly competitive and I don’t fall in either of their “special consideration” categories) Yay! </p>
<p>There’s just something so seductive about a full ride.</p>
<p>Lingbo, are you an NMS semi-finalist? If so, I think that Fordham offers full tuition scholarships. Not at all like Wesleyan in terms of campus culture, but definitely urban. My daughter managed to fit both Fordham & Brown on the same college list and, like you, she also applied to BU & Northeastern. My daughter’s test scores were much lower than yours, but Fordham offered her a small merit scholarship, so I would guess that your stats would pull a much larger one. </p>
<p>I also agree with the Lewis & Clark recommendation.</p>
<p>Beloit. Doesn’t appear to have full rides, but some generous scholarships.</p>
<p>If you would consider any of the women’s schools like Smith and Mount Holyoke – they are on the smaller side and have a decent portion of their population that could be considered “creative and quirky”. They offer Merit aid…although…once again…not usually full ride merit scholarships. </p>
<p>There’s also a thread on full ride/near full ride if you search on this forum.</p>
<p>I don’t know if they offer free rides or not, but off the top of my head–Connecticut College, Sarah Lawrence, Vassar. Colgate is sometimes grouped with Wesleyan (see other threads) but is more conservative. Also would recommend Lewis and Clark from what I’ve heard. Good luck!</p>
<p>Look for one of the several “curmudgeon” threads. As far as I can tell, no one has researched this topic more thoroughly than he.</p>
<p>Without going back and looking at them myself, though, there are a couple of things I would warn you about: </p>
<p>I don’t know what you mean by “Wesleyan-type”, but if you mean highly competitive, coastal liberal establishment, high name-recognition LACs, you are not going to find a lot of (any) merit full rides offered. The schools that would be most likely to offer such things to smart kids from Westchester are lesser-known places in the South or Midwest. You could get a great education at such places, and expand your life experience, but there would be a significant dollars/prestige tradeoff, and you might care about that. In plain terms, the schools that would pay for someone like you to go there are generally schools that are not attracting people like you in meaningful numbers. That’s not a reason not to pursue this at all, but it’s a question to ask yourself.</p>
<p>Second, and more importantly: Lots of schools have early deadlines for merit scholarship applications. Like, tomorrow. Work fast.</p>
<p>lingbo, last year Brandeis offered beaucoup merit $$$ to attract Asians wih your stats. It’s an excellent, somewhat quirky small to medium school with a lot to offer. Don’t let the Jewishness scare you off. Less than 50% of the student body is Jewish and the school policy is of acceptance of all cultures and religions. It’s near Boston, too. It also has a Blue Ribbon (is it still called that?) application for students who are interested and want to apply early but not ED. It and Wesleyan were both on my D’s final list last year.</p>
<p>I already applied to Brandeis! I’d LOVE to go there if they offered me a full ride or full tuition. It’s very odd for Asianess to be a desired trait these days, so I feel very lucky.</p>
<p>Lingbo - Rochester is not quirky … and doesn’t offer all that much money. I agree with Quiltguru about Brandeis … you may possibly do quite well financially there! Vassar fits your description (lots of cross-apps with Wesleyan) but offers no merit money. Both Oberlin and Vassar are generous with financial aid if you qualify (in our experience Wesleyan is not.) Did you apply for Boston University’s trustee scholarship? (It’s very difficult to get, but an incredible package, with beautiful brownstone housing.) You should qualify for at least half tuition at Boston University … not a free ride, but a great city!</p>
It’s very odd for Asianess to be a desired trait these days, so I feel very lucky.</p>