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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Hi All,

We have a Junior and he's our oldest, so we're learning our way through the college process.  We met with a college advisor, and she suggested a few safe, target, and reach schools to consider.  We are a Fed family and so finances are a concern.  DS isn't interested in large schools like VA Tech, Pitt, Michigan, etc, and instead wants the smaller schools.  The advisor suggested that merit aid is unlikely for any target or reach school, but that DS could likely receive merit aid for his supposed safety schools, based on his ACT 33 score and 4.6 GPA.  She suggested Richmond and Case Western (and UMD, which even though it's large, she said it has a place for everyone and he has the grades and score to likely get in).

I'm torn about how strongly to nudge DS towards a school where he'll have a better chance to get aid (which seems to mean going to a less highly vaulted school), or that's more reasonably priced.  I'm curious how other parents navigate these discussions and decisions.  Thank you.   [/quote]

[b]Your DS stats are better than Case and Richmond.[/b] I think Emory and Brown are similar schools but more prestigious. [/quote]

That's the point.  The very point is to be at the top of the range for the school in question, in order to get maximum merit scholarship money.

https://case.edu/admission/academics/facts-figures

The 75th percentile for the ACT composite at Case is 34.  OP's DC's score is 33.  Therefore he is positioned for merit scholarship money, but not necessarily the maximum award.

FWIW, Case gave my DC $30K/year merit scholarship money.  DC's stats were 1600 SAT, 4.8 weighted GPA from the Blair math/science magnet.  Some of DC's friends with similar stats were rejected outright.

FYI, Case weighs demonstrated interest heavily, I assume.[/quote]
Case rejected applicants with close to 1600 SAT?  That sounds weird. You would think they would be enthusiastic about applicants from a science Magnet [/quote]

That's the whole point about demonstrated interest. Case wants to rise in rankings, they care a lot about yield. If the magnet kid with a 1600 didn't bother to visit, attend info sessions, respond to emails, spend time on their website, they know he'll get into better schools and turn them down. So, they don't waste an admit on that student. You need to show the love to your safeties.[/quote]

Yield is not part of the USN calculation.  Nor is acceptance rate (although you did not claim that one was, just to be clear).

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-us-news-calculated-the-rankings[/quote]

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