Lewis & Clark Posse tuition scholarship or apply to W&M?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks so much for the responses. Good to hear encouraging things about both the academics at Lewis & Clark and the social scene at W&M. It's probably true that our DC has two great options (this is assuming, of course, that they actually get the Posse scholarship at L&C, which I believe they have a 50% chance of getting as a finalist). It's just stressful to have to decide this in such a short-time frame. And I have to keep reminding myself that college is more about the right fit for my DC than the school I think might be the best -- such a hard thing to navigate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My niece is there and loves it. Very easy to find your place there. Kind students and faculty are very, very accessible. I haven't seen it, but apparently the campus is stunning. It's on the edge of Portland, which is a great city.

And of course, William and Mary is a great place. Probably the most intellectual environment of any state school in the country.

Oh, dear... no.

Among state schools? Name others. I'm not saying highest scoring students (Berkeley and UCLA beat everyone), and also not saying best university (lots are better overall, from Michigan and Berkeley on down). But for an environment where students and professors are seriously discussing and pursuing knowledge, I don't know better for state schools than William and Mary. But let me know if you have other nominees. I'm definitely Interested

I know nothing about W&M but undergrads at UCLA and Michigan are not all the sort to seriously discuss and pursue knowledge. I think a smaller environment helps foster this?

[Anonymous]

I believe even as a finalist, it is still tough to get the scholarship (like maybe you are still a 25% chance?).

Also, I thought to even apply for the Posse scholarship you had to commit to applying ED to one of the colleges in the geographic set they pick for you.

I gather there is nothing they can do to you for not accepting free $$$s, but you should at least consider if by remaining in competition and turning it down (vs. just withdrawing now) you don't screw the next kid that might have won but because of how the scholarship or timing works.

[Anonymous]

I love L&C, but I'm from the West so it is better known out there.

The one thing I'd say is that if your kid is in the Posse program, then it seems likely you'll get a lot of financial aid at W&M. Did you do their online calculator?

If your kid is in Posse due to a complicated homelife, then the Posse structure is a nice one to have. It's easy to access on campus resources and advice. That said, having them nearby might also be beneficial in that situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love L&C, but I'm from the West so it is better known out there.

The one thing I'd say is that if your kid is in the Posse program, then it seems likely you'll get a lot of financial aid at W&M. Did you do their online calculator?

If your kid is in Posse due to a complicated homelife, then the Posse structure is a nice one to have. It's easy to access on campus resources and advice. That said, having them nearby might also be beneficial in that situation.

Posse students are not necessarily low income. The one kid I know in the program is the child of two lawyers. I was surprised but learned It's more about being an underrepresented minority. Questbridge is the similar program that is exclusively for low-income students.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I am not really sure how/why our DC got this far in Posse. We are a super stable family, I and my spouse both have advanced degrees, we're doing fine financially (we're both feds/public servants, but definitely live within our means), we're white. DC is, as I mentioned, non-binary and has noted that in their Posse application (and presumably it was noticeable at the in-person interviews). DC has a speech impediment, but that's it for disabilities. We had assumed DC wouldn't get this far in Posse because we thought DC isn't the typical student in need of all the support that Posse gives. But, of course, we would love the tuition scholarship because we can't afford private colleges, but can afford W&M. We definitely don't want to take a spot from someone else, so that is why we are deciding whether to agree to apply ED to L&C in tandem with the Posse program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am not really sure how/why our DC got this far in Posse. We are a super stable family, I and my spouse both have advanced degrees, we're doing fine financially (we're both feds/public servants, but definitely live within our means), we're white. DC is, as I mentioned, non-binary and has noted that in their Posse application (and presumably it was noticeable at the in-person interviews). DC has a speech impediment, but that's it for disabilities. We had assumed DC wouldn't get this far in Posse because we thought DC isn't the typical student in need of all the support that Posse gives. But, of course, we would love the tuition scholarship because we can't afford private colleges, but can afford W&M. We definitely don't want to take a spot from someone else, so that is why we are deciding whether to agree to apply ED to L&C in tandem with the Posse program.

Curious why you are selecting L&C vs. Lafayette, Bucknell, Rochester or Wisconsin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks so much for the responses. Good to hear encouraging things about both the academics at Lewis & Clark and the social scene at W&M. It's probably true that our DC has two great options (this is assuming, of course, that they actually get the Posse scholarship at L&C, which I believe they have a 50% chance of getting as a finalist). It's just stressful to have to decide this in such a short-time frame. And I have to keep reminding myself that college is more about the right fit for my DC than the school I think might be the best -- such a hard thing to navigate.

Lewis and Clark is fine, but it's the lowest ranked out of similar LACs in the area. Whitman, Reed, Willamette, and Puget Sound are all ranked higher. The L&C campus is gorgeous, but kind of isolated in a suburban neighborhood. IF you want a PNW LAC, all of those schools will offer comparable financial aid. Willamette has a better location (across the street from the state capitol building!) with better internship opportunities. Reed has a better reputation, but a more intense, grinding academic environment that isn't for every student. Puget Sound is in a better neighborhood and has a better campus community for students. Whitman is better academically but it's a long way from everywhere.

[Anonymous]

The way Posse works is that the kid ranks the schools that the local Posse partners with, but then Posse pairs students and schools. L&C was DC's second choice, after U of Rochester. We have no idea why Rochester was DC's first choice as we have no connection to that area and it's friggin cold there! DC ranked L&C second because they figured they had a better chance there than W&M given how competitive Posse is and that many Posse students would want to be near home, and also because DC thinks they would like the PNW, which I think they would. DC hasn't expressed any interest in the other schools that Posse DMV works with. We won't qualify for financial aid as we make too much (though aren't rich by DMV standards). DC is definitely interested in Whitman, but I doubt they'd give enough merit aid to bring it down to W&M. But who knows...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am not really sure how/why our DC got this far in Posse. We are a super stable family, I and my spouse both have advanced degrees, we're doing fine financially (we're both feds/public servants, but definitely live within our means), we're white. DC is, as I mentioned, non-binary and has noted that in their Posse application (and presumably it was noticeable at the in-person interviews). DC has a speech impediment, but that's it for disabilities. We had assumed DC wouldn't get this far in Posse because we thought DC isn't the typical student in need of all the support that Posse gives. But, of course, we would love the tuition scholarship because we can't afford private colleges, but can afford W&M. We definitely don't want to take a spot from someone else, so that is why we are deciding whether to agree to apply ED to L&C in tandem with the Posse program.

Curious why you are selecting L&C vs. Lafayette, Bucknell, Rochester or Wisconsin?

Not OP, but LC seems potentially more LGBTQ+ friendly than Lafayette or Bucknell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am not really sure how/why our DC got this far in Posse. We are a super stable family, I and my spouse both have advanced degrees, we're doing fine financially (we're both feds/public servants, but definitely live within our means), we're white. DC is, as I mentioned, non-binary and has noted that in their Posse application (and presumably it was noticeable at the in-person interviews). DC has a speech impediment, but that's it for disabilities. We had assumed DC wouldn't get this far in Posse because we thought DC isn't the typical student in need of all the support that Posse gives. But, of course, we would love the tuition scholarship because we can't afford private colleges, but can afford W&M. We definitely don't want to take a spot from someone else, so that is why we are deciding whether to agree to apply ED to L&C in tandem with the Posse program.

Curious why you are selecting L&C vs. Lafayette, Bucknell, Rochester or Wisconsin?

When my daughter participated there was only a limited list for her to select her top 4 from, and even then, you can get matched to a college outside of those 4.
Funny thing, she had UVA and W&M in her top 4 got matched outside and got into both in RD.

[Anonymous]

Listen to your child -- they know what is right for them. It is also truly odd to think there is any college where a curious, intellectual student will not be enriched and inspired.

--parent of similar kid who turned down W&M and is crazy happy and doing really well at the better fit school they chose (with significant merit).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks so much for the responses. Good to hear encouraging things about both the academics at Lewis & Clark and the social scene at W&M. It's probably true that our DC has two great options (this is assuming, of course, that they actually get the Posse scholarship at L&C, which I believe they have a 50% chance of getting as a finalist). It's just stressful to have to decide this in such a short-time frame. And I have to keep reminding myself that college is more about the right fit for my DC than the school I think might be the best -- such a hard thing to navigate.

Lewis and Clark is fine, but it's the lowest ranked out of similar LACs in the area. Whitman, Reed, Willamette, and Puget Sound are all ranked higher. The L&C campus is gorgeous, but kind of isolated in a suburban neighborhood. IF you want a PNW LAC, all of those schools will offer comparable financial aid. Willamette has a better location (across the street from the state capitol building!) with better internship opportunities. Reed has a better reputation, but a more intense, grinding academic environment that isn't for every student. Puget Sound is in a better neighborhood and has a better campus community for students. Whitman is better academically but it's a long way from everywhere.

Enough with the overemphasis on rank. It is truly meaningless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am not really sure how/why our DC got this far in Posse. We are a super stable family, I and my spouse both have advanced degrees, we're doing fine financially (we're both feds/public servants, but definitely live within our means), we're white. DC is, as I mentioned, non-binary and has noted that in their Posse application (and presumably it was noticeable at the in-person interviews). DC has a speech impediment, but that's it for disabilities. We had assumed DC wouldn't get this far in Posse because we thought DC isn't the typical student in need of all the support that Posse gives. But, of course, we would love the tuition scholarship because we can't afford private colleges, but can afford W&M. We definitely don't want to take a spot from someone else, so that is why we are deciding whether to agree to apply ED to L&C in tandem with the Posse program.

Curious why you are selecting L&C vs. Lafayette, Bucknell, Rochester or Wisconsin?

When my daughter participated there was only a limited list for her to select her top 4 from, and even then, you can get matched to a college outside of those 4.
Funny thing, she had UVA and W&M in her top 4 got matched outside and got into both in RD.

Interesting. What school did she match with in Posse and what school did she end up at?

[Anonymous]

I’m from the PNW, and L&C has a good reputation. The campus is beautiful and Portland is a fun, cool city close to mountains, ocean, great food, concerts, etc. Your kid is likely to find their niche there. Also, there is great prestige in being a Posse finalist.