Anonymous wrote:Look at the STARS (Small Town and Rural Student) college network for ideas and support: https://starscollegenetwork.org

+1

My rural student got good merit from Univ of Denver & UVM. She got a stipend from stars to go visit DU.

What is the financial situation? If low income, have you looked at Questbridge.

Anonymous wrote:Helping a close friend's niece. Rural student.
Strong stats, but test optional (only took the test once, and scores aren't reflective of grade). Top 3 student in a public high school. Interesting ECs with a strong theme. Strong community orientation.
Looking at environmental policy, sociology, or possibly anthropology (or combo) major.

Where to look for the most merit? Open to anywhere and any size.

Most merit or lowest COA? Student get $50k a year from a private and still pay over $40k. Apply in state publics.

How much merit do you need to consider? Does the student really have no preference for size or location?
Sewanee
Bard
Clark
Wooster
Rhodes
Allegheny
Chatham
Utah State
Cincinnati
Centre
Gettysburg
Washington & Jefferson
Juniata

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My TO kid got tons of merit. You just have to see where she can apply that would be a bit below her stats and schools will want her to come. There are lots of options and my kids (not tippy top) both got merit at many (most) schools that weren't super reach.

But was your kid a student in a school district that is known to admissions counselors (like any of the school districts in the DC area)? With AP scores?

The problem is truly rural candidates from no-name school districts and small schools are a risk to judge as far as "merit" without test scores.

PP here - I get what you are saying. and yes, my kids are from here. But one of my kids went to a private that had no APs and didn't self study for any APs and also TO. He got tons of merit aid - you just need to be willing to look at a slightly or more than slightly lower tier of school.

Also, the kid accepted one of his merit offers and is doing great in college, good grades, working in his desired profession and really a successful college student, for those that say that less prestigious colleges are not worth it or kids with no scores should go to community college.

Anonymous wrote:My TO kid got tons of merit. You just have to see where she can apply that would be a bit below her stats and schools will want her to come. There are lots of options and my kids (not tippy top) both got merit at many (most) schools that weren't super reach.

But was your kid a student in a school district that is known to admissions counselors (like any of the school districts in the DC area)? With AP scores?

The problem is truly rural candidates from no-name school districts and small schools are a risk to judge as far as "merit" without test scores.

My TO kid got tons of merit. You just have to see where she can apply that would be a bit below her stats and schools will want her to come. There are lots of options and my kids (not tippy top) both got merit at many (most) schools that weren't super reach.

Top students from rural high schools are in very high demand. That's a good place to be. But it would be very helpful if the kid could get some solid test scores in - above 1300 or 30. And some AP scores - 4s and 5s - if available. That kid is going to get merit and FA if needed almost everywhere.

I'd really suggest studying for the standardized tests. Everyone is wary of students from rural and underperforming urban schools who graduated at the top of their class, but just didn't get the education to get through freshman year of college and dropped out or transferred. The test scores help mitigate that fear.

Test optional is not "strong stats." I think you mean that grades and rank are strong, but scores are a part of stats.

What is her unweighted GPA and rigor - how many APs? What was the test score (and did she prep)?

How much can they afford to spend per year for college? State of residence? Desired major?

Look at the STARS (Small Town and Rural Student) college network for ideas and support: https://starscollegenetwork.org

TO schools which met full need?

GMU also has the RADSS program for rural students interested in STEM. https://mtgsked.com/p/21729/s

As with all students, in the case of merit, you really want to look closely at the stats and then apply to schools where those stats would be considered very good to exceptional based on their admitted and enrolled student profiles.

UVA has a number of such scholarships like the Greer. https://uvaalumni.org/scholarships/alumni-association-awards/greer-family-scholarship/

Helping a close friend's niece. Rural student.
Strong stats, but test optional (only took the test once, and scores aren't reflective of grade). Top 3 student in a public high school. Interesting ECs with a strong theme. Strong community orientation.
Looking at environmental policy, sociology, or possibly anthropology (or combo) major.

Where to look for the most merit? Open to anywhere and any size.