As of now, we are okay with no merit at colleges in the range of Purdue, UMD, UIUC etc. Anything more expensive like NYU etc. is out. Colleges in Alabama, Florida or west are out because of the distance.
She wants honors programs in the colleges she wants to apply, whatever they are. Are those very competitive?
Please suggest. We are in the tristate area. No exceptional ECs but lots of volunteer at hospital (more than a year), mentoring middle school kids through BBBS(for last 3 years), NHS, position holder in some school clubs, select choir since middle school etc.