Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had this exact issue because my daughter would have loved Vassar but they don’t give any merit aid. Would the name value of a school like Vassar (or other schools that don’t give merit aid like Tufts or Wash U) be worth the extra money over a “lesser” school she’d like?

My DD almost had the stats to try for “top” schools but we couldn’t afford them so we tried our best not to let her fall in love with any of them. I felt really guilty.

This was our exact situation! Kid focused her energy on Pitt and PSU (in-state) and then LACs offering merit scholarships. She also applied to some other LACs that don't offer merit aid like Vassar and Carleton (just to see) but didn't apply to many top schools or Ivies since our budget was tighter and she didn't want to get her hopes up. Between the LACs she was admitted to, she didn't really see much of a significant difference between Vassar (and even Carleton) and places like Kenyon and Bryn Mawr that was worth an extra 30k a year. She ended up at Oberlin and is really enjoying it so far.

Anonymous wrote:Culturally these schools are pretty different. My (possibly incorrect) impression of Haverford is a lot of preppy kids who sail in the summer vs Kenyon is more leftist and hippie. What does your kid think? I think you really need to do more campus touring, these schools are similar in ranking but not very similar otherwise.

Anonymous wrote:We had this exact issue because my daughter would have loved Vassar but they don’t give any merit aid. Would the name value of a school like Vassar (or other schools that don’t give merit aid like Tufts or Wash U) be worth the extra money over a “lesser” school she’d like?

My DD almost had the stats to try for “top” schools but we couldn’t afford them so we tried our best not to let her fall in love with any of them. I felt really guilty.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From a value perspective, W&M hands-down, if you live in VA. When you say “if money was no object,” it sounds like it is, but you want the unvarnished truth about the best education. In reality, W&M balances everything. He can find a bit of Kenyon’s leftist vibe, get a dose of Haverford’s pre-professional attitude, be well-schooled in writing (the history program has its own writing center), and it has a CS major. Career outcomes between W&M and Haverford are small to non-existent. Don’t take a scholarship at a third-rate LAC over in-state tuition at W&M.

Haverford is not at all a pre-professional type school, nor is it at all preppy. Definitely more to the crunch/nerdy very serious about academic side. I agree that W&M is a fantastic school. If it were my kid, I’d be thrilled if they could end up at either of these schools. If money is not an issue, I’d be perfectly fine with them choosing either, regardless of a potential in state discount for W&M.

Anonymous wrote: Don’t take a scholarship at a third-rate LAC over in-state tuition at W&M.

Anonymous wrote:From a value perspective, W&M hands-down, if you live in VA. When you say “if money was no object,” it sounds like it is, but you want the unvarnished truth about the best education. In reality, W&M balances everything. He can find a bit of Kenyon’s leftist vibe, get a dose of Haverford’s pre-professional attitude, be well-schooled in writing (the history program has its own writing center), and it has a CS major. Career outcomes between W&M and Haverford are small to non-existent. Don’t take a scholarship at a third-rate LAC over in-state tuition at W&M.

Anonymous wrote:We had this exact issue because my daughter would have loved Vassar but they don’t give any merit aid. Would the name value of a school like Vassar (or other schools that don’t give merit aid like Tufts or Wash U) be worth the extra money over a “lesser” school she’d like?

My DD almost had the stats to try for “top” schools but we couldn’t afford them so we tried our best not to let her fall in love with any of them. I felt really guilty.

Anonymous wrote:From a value perspective, W&M hands-down, if you live in VA. When you say “if money was no object,” it sounds like it is, but you want the unvarnished truth about the best education. In reality, W&M balances everything. He can find a bit of Kenyon’s leftist vibe, get a dose of Haverford’s pre-professional attitude, be well-schooled in writing (the history program has its own writing center), and it has a CS major. Career outcomes between W&M and Haverford are small to non-existent. Don’t take a scholarship at a third-rate LAC over in-state tuition at W&M.

Anonymous wrote:Those are some great schools. I don't know that I'd put Haverford ahead of the rest - it's a very small school and it has had a tumultuous couple of years. W&M, Kenyon, and Denison are all really strong too. I'd start talking pros/cons with him - does he care about weather? Proximity to home? Some Greek life or none? Which one might be stronger for whatever he wants to study?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Money is no object for us and I'd let the kid pick where he wants to go. Presumably, you vetted the list. The differential between the life outcomes of a Kenyon grad and a Haverford grad have got to be minuscule. My DD is at Haverford, BTW.

Thanks. We looked at the list but they and counselor made the list together based on their interests (writing, comp sci, small school etc).

What about a ursinus. They gave a substantial scholarship and that makes the kid feel they are really valued at that school. This is all so confusing.

I have two in college now so am a recent veteran of the application process. My honest advice is to table the decision-making until all of the results are in. Then sit down and have a conversation weighing the pros and cons of each. Usually, the right college reveals itself.

Anonymous wrote:Of course I’d choose Haverford over lesser schools….how’s this even a question.