Reply to Good alternatives to UVA/WM with merit?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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. [/quote]

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.[/quote]

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. [/quote]

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.[/quote]

These schools are well below William & Mary, which is fine - except there are several state schools in VA that are just as good and just as cheap.

I’m still confused by OP.  Is she saying “look, my kid is only going in state if she gets into UVA or William & Mary.  If she doesn’t get into either, what out of states schools are available to her with merit”.

The answer it all depends on her stats, but if she’s not getting into UVA and William and Mary she’s not getting a lot of money from any school that is even close to them in terms of quality and reputation.  Good schools may take her - but they won’t throw money at her. [/quote]

Well, yeah. But especially if you like W&M, what are the most similar(ish) in-state options -- CNU, UMW.  If those don't appeal, there are a lot of LACs that will match W&M's price (although still more than other VA schools) and may be more appealing. That's my DD's list above. She really didn't want to go in-state and found schools that fit our budget and had what she wanted. She's happy and so are we. Yes, we could have said you have to go UMW but why when other schools had stronger programs for her particular interest.

If you like UVA, the best VA alternatives are probably JMU/VT which OP's kid isn't excited about. I'd tell them they still need to apply to those to keep their options open while also considering OOS flagships that give merit. [/quote]

Are the LACs that will match W&M any better than UMW or UVA Wise?  [/quote]

Depends on what is "better" for the individual. It's not a 1-size-fits-all answer.[/quote]

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