Good alternatives to UVA/WM with merit?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. To clarify, I’m looking at options for students with high stats and an in-state budget who still may get rejected from W&M/UVA, but the student is not that excited about Tech/JMU as alternative schools. I understand to get merit they won’t be as highly ranked at WM/UVA. Where else should we look? Thanks to those who already answered.

OP here. Should add that we want DC to be within a 6-8 hour drive. Don’t want to deal with airfare and such. So probably places like Grinnell are out, although I’m sure it’s lovely.

Ha ha. If you’re kid doesn’t get into UVA or William and Mary in state they sure as hell aren’t getting into Grinnell either - especially with merit. Grinnell had a 10 percent acceptance rate last year. So you needn’t worry about it.

Ick. Drugs, isolated, freezing cold weather, lack of diverse viewpoints—- and, where the heck is the nearest emergency room?!?

Glad you love it, good for you!

Gosh. And it is a way tougher admit than in-state UVA. What must applicants be thinking?

I don’t think you know how difficult it is to get into UVA

UVA: 27% overall in-state admissions rate. “I don’t think you know how difficult it is to get into [Grinnell].”

Apples and oranges. No way anyone could think Grinnell is more competitive than UVA.

Except admissions wise it IS. Especially in state. Out of state is another story, but it’s definitely easier to get into UVA in state than Grinnell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roanoke College for a strong SLAC in VA that gives merit.

Roanoke is ranked 120th. Not sure that qualifies as strong.

Strong is subjective, so are rankings. Maybe dig a little deeper with an open mind.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. To clarify, I’m looking at options for students with high stats and an in-state budget who still may get rejected from W&M/UVA, but the student is not that excited about Tech/JMU as alternative schools. I understand to get merit they won’t be as highly ranked at WM/UVA. Where else should we look? Thanks to those who already answered.

OP here. Should add that we want DC to be within a 6-8 hour drive. Don’t want to deal with airfare and such. So probably places like Grinnell are out, although I’m sure it’s lovely.

Ha ha. If you’re kid doesn’t get into UVA or William and Mary in state they sure as hell aren’t getting into Grinnell either - especially with merit. Grinnell had a 10 percent acceptance rate last year. So you needn’t worry about it.

I think generally once you get below the 50s all the LACs pretty reliably give merit. So then you narrow down by location, academic interests, ECs, etc.

My DD was interested in W&M but not enough that she was willing to ED. She was waitlisted in RD. Her top interests were a strong environmental science program, reasonable drive from home, opportunities to continue music. Her list included Juniata, SMCM, Allegheny, Washington College, Dickinson, Mt Holyoke. Dickinson and Mount Holyoke were too expensive. The others came in around $30k.

My rising senior is also interested in Environmental Science and has all those schools on her list. Would you mind sharing where your DD ended up?

[Anonymous]

check out Dickinson or Gettysburg - second tier liberal arts colleges ranked at a level where merit comes into play big time for deserving applicants

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. To clarify, I’m looking at options for students with high stats and an in-state budget who still may get rejected from W&M/UVA, but the student is not that excited about Tech/JMU as alternative schools. I understand to get merit they won’t be as highly ranked at WM/UVA. Where else should we look? Thanks to those who already answered.

OP here. Should add that we want DC to be within a 6-8 hour drive. Don’t want to deal with airfare and such. So probably places like Grinnell are out, although I’m sure it’s lovely.

Ha ha. If you’re kid doesn’t get into UVA or William and Mary in state they sure as hell aren’t getting into Grinnell either - especially with merit. Grinnell had a 10 percent acceptance rate last year. So you needn’t worry about it.

I think generally once you get below the 50s all the LACs pretty reliably give merit. So then you narrow down by location, academic interests, ECs, etc.

My DD was interested in W&M but not enough that she was willing to ED. She was waitlisted in RD. Her top interests were a strong environmental science program, reasonable drive from home, opportunities to continue music. Her list included Juniata, SMCM, Allegheny, Washington College, Dickinson, Mt Holyoke. Dickinson and Mount Holyoke were too expensive. The others came in around $30k.

My rising senior is also interested in Environmental Science and has all those schools on her list. Would you mind sharing where your DD ended up?

She's going to Juniata. Washington College was a close 2nd but she preferred the music options at Juniata. FWIW, I think Juniata's environmental science program is getting them a lot more attention. At orientation they said the incoming freshman class is the 2nd largest in their history and most of the parents I spoke to during the day had students also interested in ES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. To clarify, I’m looking at options for students with high stats and an in-state budget who still may get rejected from W&M/UVA, but the student is not that excited about Tech/JMU as alternative schools. I understand to get merit they won’t be as highly ranked at WM/UVA. Where else should we look? Thanks to those who already answered.

OP here. Should add that we want DC to be within a 6-8 hour drive. Don’t want to deal with airfare and such. So probably places like Grinnell are out, although I’m sure it’s lovely.

Ha ha. If you’re kid doesn’t get into UVA or William and Mary in state they sure as hell aren’t getting into Grinnell either - especially with merit. Grinnell had a 10 percent acceptance rate last year. So you needn’t worry about it.

I think generally once you get below the 50s all the LACs pretty reliably give merit. So then you narrow down by location, academic interests, ECs, etc.

My DD was interested in W&M but not enough that she was willing to ED. She was waitlisted in RD. Her top interests were a strong environmental science program, reasonable drive from home, opportunities to continue music. Her list included Juniata, SMCM, Allegheny, Washington College, Dickinson, Mt Holyoke. Dickinson and Mount Holyoke were too expensive. The others came in around $30k.

My rising senior is also interested in Environmental Science and has all those schools on her list. Would you mind sharing where your DD ended up?

She's going to Juniata. Washington College was a close 2nd but she preferred the music options at Juniata. FWIW, I think Juniata's environmental science program is getting them a lot more attention. At orientation they said the incoming freshman class is the 2nd largest in their history and most of the parents I spoke to during the day had students also interested in ES.

I think the Juniata poster works for admissions lol. It comes up on this board time and time again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:check out Dickinson or Gettysburg - second tier liberal arts colleges ranked at a level where merit comes into play big time for deserving applicants

What does “second tier” mean? Where is the science behind this metric quantified?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. To clarify, I’m looking at options for students with high stats and an in-state budget who still may get rejected from W&M/UVA, but the student is not that excited about Tech/JMU as alternative schools. I understand to get merit they won’t be as highly ranked at WM/UVA. Where else should we look? Thanks to those who already answered.

OP here. Should add that we want DC to be within a 6-8 hour drive. Don’t want to deal with airfare and such. So probably places like Grinnell are out, although I’m sure it’s lovely.

Ha ha. If you’re kid doesn’t get into UVA or William and Mary in state they sure as hell aren’t getting into Grinnell either - especially with merit. Grinnell had a 10 percent acceptance rate last year. So you needn’t worry about it.

I think generally once you get below the 50s all the LACs pretty reliably give merit. So then you narrow down by location, academic interests, ECs, etc.

My DD was interested in W&M but not enough that she was willing to ED. She was waitlisted in RD. Her top interests were a strong environmental science program, reasonable drive from home, opportunities to continue music. Her list included Juniata, SMCM, Allegheny, Washington College, Dickinson, Mt Holyoke. Dickinson and Mount Holyoke were too expensive. The others came in around $30k.

My rising senior is also interested in Environmental Science and has all those schools on her list. Would you mind sharing where your DD ended up?

She's going to Juniata. Washington College was a close 2nd but she preferred the music options at Juniata. FWIW, I think Juniata's environmental science program is getting them a lot more attention. At orientation they said the incoming freshman class is the 2nd largest in their history and most of the parents I spoke to during the day had students also interested in ES.

I think the Juniata poster works for admissions lol. It comes up on this board time and time again.

Sorry, there's more than one parent on here happy with Juniata since I saw them posting during my DD's search. Don't know why that's upsetting to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. To clarify, I’m looking at options for students with high stats and an in-state budget who still may get rejected from W&M/UVA, but the student is not that excited about Tech/JMU as alternative schools. I understand to get merit they won’t be as highly ranked at WM/UVA. Where else should we look? Thanks to those who already answered.

OP here. Should add that we want DC to be within a 6-8 hour drive. Don’t want to deal with airfare and such. So probably places like Grinnell are out, although I’m sure it’s lovely.

Ha ha. If you’re kid doesn’t get into UVA or William and Mary in state they sure as hell aren’t getting into Grinnell either - especially with merit. Grinnell had a 10 percent acceptance rate last year. So you needn’t worry about it.

I think generally once you get below the 50s all the LACs pretty reliably give merit. So then you narrow down by location, academic interests, ECs, etc.

My DD was interested in W&M but not enough that she was willing to ED. She was waitlisted in RD. Her top interests were a strong environmental science program, reasonable drive from home, opportunities to continue music. Her list included Juniata, SMCM, Allegheny, Washington College, Dickinson, Mt Holyoke. Dickinson and Mount Holyoke were too expensive. The others came in around $30k.

My rising senior is also interested in Environmental Science and has all those schools on her list. Would you mind sharing where your DD ended up?

She's going to Juniata. Washington College was a close 2nd but she preferred the music options at Juniata. FWIW, I think Juniata's environmental science program is getting them a lot more attention. At orientation they said the incoming freshman class is the 2nd largest in their history and most of the parents I spoke to during the day had students also interested in ES.

I think the Juniata poster works for admissions lol. It comes up on this board time and time again.

Sorry, there's more than one parent on here happy with Juniata since I saw them posting during my DD's search. Don't know why that's upsetting to you.

It’s not upsetting, just amusing. Somebody is awfully proud of their kid’s school!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. To clarify, I’m looking at options for students with high stats and an in-state budget who still may get rejected from W&M/UVA, but the student is not that excited about Tech/JMU as alternative schools. I understand to get merit they won’t be as highly ranked at WM/UVA. Where else should we look? Thanks to those who already answered.

OP here. Should add that we want DC to be within a 6-8 hour drive. Don’t want to deal with airfare and such. So probably places like Grinnell are out, although I’m sure it’s lovely.

Ha ha. If you’re kid doesn’t get into UVA or William and Mary in state they sure as hell aren’t getting into Grinnell either - especially with merit. Grinnell had a 10 percent acceptance rate last year. So you needn’t worry about it.

Ick. Drugs, isolated, freezing cold weather, lack of diverse viewpoints—- and, where the heck is the nearest emergency room?!?

Glad you love it, good for you!

Gosh. And it is a way tougher admit than in-state UVA. What must applicants be thinking?

I don’t think you know how difficult it is to get into UVA

UVA: 27% overall in-state admissions rate. “I don’t think you know how difficult it is to get into [Grinnell].”

Apples and oranges. No way anyone could think Grinnell is more competitive than UVA.

Except admissions wise it IS. Especially in state. Out of state is another story, but it’s definitely easier to get into UVA in state than Grinnell.

I have a kid at Grinnell and I doubt there is much overlap in the applicant pool. We looked a little at UVA (I am an alum) and it wasn’t a good fit so my child didn’t apply. My younger child loves UVA and is going to apply ED. This kid would never consider Grinnell or similar schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. To clarify, I’m looking at options for students with high stats and an in-state budget who still may get rejected from W&M/UVA, but the student is not that excited about Tech/JMU as alternative schools. I understand to get merit they won’t be as highly ranked at WM/UVA. Where else should we look? Thanks to those who already answered.

OP here. Should add that we want DC to be within a 6-8 hour drive. Don’t want to deal with airfare and such. So probably places like Grinnell are out, although I’m sure it’s lovely.

Ha ha. If you’re kid doesn’t get into UVA or William and Mary in state they sure as hell aren’t getting into Grinnell either - especially with merit. Grinnell had a 10 percent acceptance rate last year. So you needn’t worry about it.

Ick. Drugs, isolated, freezing cold weather, lack of diverse viewpoints—- and, where the heck is the nearest emergency room?!?

Glad you love it, good for you!

Gosh. And it is a way tougher admit than in-state UVA. What must applicants be thinking?

I don’t think you know how difficult it is to get into UVA

UVA: 27% overall in-state admissions rate. “I don’t think you know how difficult it is to get into [Grinnell].”

Apples and oranges. No way anyone could think Grinnell is more competitive than UVA.

Except admissions wise it IS. Especially in state. Out of state is another story, but it’s definitely easier to get into UVA in state than Grinnell.

I have a kid at Grinnell and I doubt there is much overlap in the applicant pool. We looked a little at UVA (I am an alum) and it wasn’t a good fit so my child didn’t apply. My younger child loves UVA and is going to apply ED. This kid would never consider Grinnell or similar schools.

I don’t disagree, but of course that doesn’t mean one or the other is more or less selective generally. It just means there’s not a lot of overlap.

I actually had a kid apply to both though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. To clarify, I’m looking at options for students with high stats and an in-state budget who still may get rejected from W&M/UVA, but the student is not that excited about Tech/JMU as alternative schools. I understand to get merit they won’t be as highly ranked at WM/UVA. Where else should we look? Thanks to those who already answered.

OP here. Should add that we want DC to be within a 6-8 hour drive. Don’t want to deal with airfare and such. So probably places like Grinnell are out, although I’m sure it’s lovely.

Ha ha. If you’re kid doesn’t get into UVA or William and Mary in state they sure as hell aren’t getting into Grinnell either - especially with merit. Grinnell had a 10 percent acceptance rate last year. So you needn’t worry about it.

I think generally once you get below the 50s all the LACs pretty reliably give merit. So then you narrow down by location, academic interests, ECs, etc.

My DD was interested in W&M but not enough that she was willing to ED. She was waitlisted in RD. Her top interests were a strong environmental science program, reasonable drive from home, opportunities to continue music. Her list included Juniata, SMCM, Allegheny, Washington College, Dickinson, Mt Holyoke. Dickinson and Mount Holyoke were too expensive. The others came in around $30k.

My rising senior is also interested in Environmental Science and has all those schools on her list. Would you mind sharing where your DD ended up?

She's going to Juniata. Washington College was a close 2nd but she preferred the music options at Juniata. FWIW, I think Juniata's environmental science program is getting them a lot more attention. At orientation they said the incoming freshman class is the 2nd largest in their history and most of the parents I spoke to during the day had students also interested in ES.

I think the Juniata poster works for admissions lol. It comes up on this board time and time again.

Sorry, there's more than one parent on here happy with Juniata since I saw them posting during my DD's search. Don't know why that's upsetting to you.

It’s not upsetting, just amusing. Somebody is awfully proud of their kid’s school!

DP- or maybe it’s multiple posters. Just like posts about UVA are not from one person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS thought U Del and Miami U both felt similar in style to UVA while being a lot less selective. DS got merit from both to bring the cost down to be in range,, $35-40k

My DD who preferred W&M mainly also applied to LACs (in the 50-80 rank range) + UMW, which is the most similar school in VA to W&M. With merit UMW would only have cost us $17k. The LACs generally came in around $30k with a couple higher ranked ones only getting the price down to $50k.

Your DS’s experience is irrelevant because the schools involved don’t have nearly as good a reputation as UVA or W&M regardless of their “vibe.” If he turned either down to attend U Del or Miami he’d be nuts.

What part of “can’t afford W&M, can afford Miami” don’t you understand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS thought U Del and Miami U both felt similar in style to UVA while being a lot less selective. DS got merit from both to bring the cost down to be in range,, $35-40k

My DD who preferred W&M mainly also applied to LACs (in the 50-80 rank range) + UMW, which is the most similar school in VA to W&M. With merit UMW would only have cost us $17k. The LACs generally came in around $30k with a couple higher ranked ones only getting the price down to $50k.

Your DS’s experience is irrelevant because the schools involved don’t have nearly as good a reputation as UVA or W&M regardless of their “vibe.” If he turned either down to attend U Del or Miami he’d be nuts.

What part of “can’t afford W&M, can afford Miami” don’t you understand?

+1 There is a troll on this thread disparaging every suggestion l

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. To clarify, I’m looking at options for students with high stats and an in-state budget who still may get rejected from W&M/UVA, but the student is not that excited about Tech/JMU as alternative schools. I understand to get merit they won’t be as highly ranked at WM/UVA. Where else should we look? Thanks to those who already answered.

OP here. Should add that we want DC to be within a 6-8 hour drive. Don’t want to deal with airfare and such. So probably places like Grinnell are out, although I’m sure it’s lovely.

Ha ha. If you’re kid doesn’t get into UVA or William and Mary in state they sure as hell aren’t getting into Grinnell either - especially with merit. Grinnell had a 10 percent acceptance rate last year. So you needn’t worry about it.

Ick. Drugs, isolated, freezing cold weather, lack of diverse viewpoints—- and, where the heck is the nearest emergency room?!?

Glad you love it, good for you!

Gosh. And it is a way tougher admit than in-state UVA. What must applicants be thinking?

I don’t think you know how difficult it is to get into UVA

UVA: 27% overall in-state admissions rate. “I don’t think you know how difficult it is to get into [Grinnell].”

Apples and oranges. No way anyone could think Grinnell is more competitive than UVA.

Except admissions wise it IS. Especially in state. Out of state is another story, but it’s definitely easier to get into UVA in state than Grinnell.

Well, it’s going to get a lot easier to get into Grinnell with the new heartbeat law. Good luck to you!