Anonymous wrote:I really hate the characterization that you're "shooting below your weight". Choosing the best college is the whole package, bet fit, etc. If that's Auburn or St Joes, or where ever, then so be it. Don't both accept the $$$$$ and act like you're too good for the school.

Preach

How is he in at both UVA and W&M already? W&M doesn't have EA, only ED1, ED2, and RD. Calling troll.

Being a bigger fish in a smaller pond is awesome! I went to a slightly less competitive school for undergrad, got a lot of attention in my major, graduated with all the honors, and then went to a top professional school that I probably wouldn't have gotten into if I had been one of the hordes of people applying from HYPS. I stood out to my undergrad professors, and that made all the difference going forward.

Unless you are a true superstar genius, going to the most competitive school you get into isn't always the right choice. There are really smart kids at every school.

Anonymous wrote:Apply to Minnesota. It was s really long and gives merit early if you are a strong candidate.

How was the girth?

Alabama and Vermont both give a ton of merit aid. Honors college at Alabama is very nice

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apply to Minnesota. It was s really long and gives merit early if you are a strong candidate.

wonder why Minnesota isn’t mentioned more on DCUM. Other than rough winters, it’s a fantastic school - and kinder, friendlier more authentic folks - I’d take a minnesota state school kid over a Nescac lax bro any day of the week

I feel like grass is always greener…I have a bunch of family in MN sending their kids to other state schools (believe there is reciprocity) because they think UMN sucks. They live in the area and know it well, so I take their advice.

The education is probably fine, but they and their friends think the college experience is severely lacking.

I really hate the characterization that you're "shooting below your weight". Choosing the best college is the whole package, bet fit, etc. If that's Auburn or St Joes, or where ever, then so be it. Don't both accept the $$$$$ and act like you're too good for the school.

Depends on the kids, not for mine who is smart but not self-motivated.

Anonymous wrote:Apply to Minnesota. It was s really long and gives merit early if you are a strong candidate.

wonder why Minnesota isn’t mentioned more on DCUM. Other than rough winters, it’s a fantastic school - and kinder, friendlier more authentic folks - I’d take a minnesota state school kid over a Nescac lax bro any day of the week

Anonymous wrote:60k/year is not insignificant. How about focusing on honors colleges at larger state schools where cost would be close to that 60k? Florida, UGA etc. Strong schools in their own right and honors college will allow for greater opportunities (internships, research, access to professors etc) and likely highly motivated bright kids.

lolol! Florida has a sub 20% accept rate for OOS and top 10% won’t get you in honors there.

what do you consider “not particularly competitive?” My son got a lot of
merit at UTK, Auburn, South Carolina, and some at Clemson. None at VT or UVA, none at UF and none at UGA.

I’ve see many parents and kids think SEC schools were “not competitive” expecting the schools to roll out the red carpet and got waitlisted, deferred and flat out rejected.

Chiming in in case it's helpful to OP. DD is currently a senior in the admissions cycle with 4.9W GPA, 35 ACT, and a good selection of AP/IB plus solid extracurricular activities and submitted portfolios in three areas.

So far:
Top merit awards at In-state flagship, OOS flagship, "safety" SLAC, and a well-regarded, though not top tier SLAC. All costs would be less than $60k/year for any of these options, including travel, books, room & board.

DD is still hoping for a more prestigious admit, potentially without merit, so we intend to weigh our options carefully. For us, cost is not a deal breaker, but DD's current field of interest would require several years of graduate school.

In short, what you hope for is distinctly possible. The challenge will be ensuring your son truly understands that you have a cost limit, that loans are not an option (because they are a terrible idea) and that even if he applies to the higher-ranked schools, if they do not offer a break on cost, he cannot attend. That needs to be completely clear before you start this process.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, to clarify I meant $60k each year.

That’s pretty much what we are willing to go up to barring an Ivy acceptance come April. And, perhaps, not all of them

He’s in at UVA and W&M so I don’t feel any of the privates $85-90k offer any benefit over these for undergrad.

We’ll see if he wins a lottery ticket.

* in-state VA obviously. 529 would pay in full.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, to clarify I meant $60k each year.

That’s pretty much what we are willing to go up to barring an Ivy acceptance come April. And, perhaps, not all of them

He’s in at UVA and W&M so I don’t feel any of the privates $85-90k offer any benefit over these for undergrad.

We’ll see if he wins a lottery ticket.

*rolling admission