Anonymous wrote:Given that she's first gen/low income, she needs to go to a school where she has very good advising and the administration does not let her fall through the cracks.

First gen/low income have very high drop-out rates in college, even with full scholarships or being very smart. They have so many more emotionally-taxing stressors in their life compared to their fellow students. They may feel like a fish out of water.

Is she an ethnic minority? If so, these very white SLACs may be really off-putting. I'd go to whatever school had the strong support system for her.

I agree with this. I know students who excelled in high school from disadvantaged backgrounds can struggle in college when their support system disappears.

I think that UT might be too big although there will be a lot of peers who are in a similar position. I think Mac and Bates are not the right choice (so white, culturally different).

I vote Davidson, which seems to be the happy medium.

Given that she's first gen/low income, she needs to go to a school where she has very good advising and the administration does not let her fall through the cracks.

First gen/low income have very high drop-out rates in college, even with full scholarships or being very smart. They have so many more emotionally-taxing stressors in their life compared to their fellow students. They may feel like a fish out of water.

Is she an ethnic minority? If so, these very white SLACs may be really off-putting. I'd go to whatever school had the strong support system for her.

Anonymous wrote:As an “economically diverse” kid I would NOT go to bates. It’s feels full of preppy full pay white kids and is a pain to get to, flight to Boston then bus to Lewiston? Your child will likely find more students with common interests and background at UT.

OP, can you or your kid look into funding for the accepted student days? Many SLACs have a funding programs to fly in their accepted students. Your kid needs to be willing to look for and apply for these opportunities. If not Bates, Davidson. Don't just give up.

As an “economically diverse” kid I would NOT go to bates. It’s feels full of preppy full pay white kids and is a pain to get to, flight to Boston then bus to Lewiston? Your child will likely find more students with common interests and background at UT.

These are great SLACs. I think Davidson and Bates are both very selective. Remember that the applicants are self-selecting too.

Anonymous wrote:UT Austin (full tuition covered, but not room and board) vs. good but not ultra-competitive LAC (Bates, Davidson, Macalester). Economics major. WL/rejected at higher ranked SLACs and top universities. Will probably take out loans or work full time to cover the other costs at UT as she comes from a very low income background.

Data analytics oriented. Wants to land a high paying job straight after graduation that will orient her for internationally oriented management positions. May pursue a MBA later. She knows how powerful the UT brand is in Texas so she's hesitant about going to a smaller LAC. But she recognizes all of the benefits of the latter three- top notch teaching, engagement and research opportunities, broader exploration, etc. Would prefer to be in an area that allows for easy access to internships (so Macalester stands out slightly).

Thanks for the insight.

I had a kid at a SLAC. UT Austin vs. SLACs is the difference between dropping off your kid at UT Austin vs. handing off your kid to a SLAC for 4 years of nurturing, and care. If you want to just drop off your kid at downtown Austin and let her fetch for herself, that's UT Austin. This is a place to be if your kid doesn't mind sitting in a huge auditorium as a spectator. It's ideal for shy, introverts. SLACs are more hands-on, and ideal for kids who want to participate in their education in smaller group settings. SLACs also have more resources. If the kid is from a low-income background, SLACs can provide that intangible "connections" your family may - or may not - have. If the family doesn't already have connections to internationally oriented management positions, to the business world - and the kid is a go-getter who is willing to take advantage of all the resources the SLACs have to offer - I'd choose one of the SLACs every time.

Anonymous wrote:Bates, Davidson, Macalester are not equal. Macalester is a great school but significantly less competitive (although perhaps that's changing.) I've got a kid at Bates, and love the school, but given the cost breakdown (and rankings, weather) I'd pick Davidson.

+1 I say Davidson as well. I also have a kid at Bates and they love it (and we love it for them). They are one of those seemingly rare kids who loves the cold but Maine winters aren't for everyone. Yes, UT will be more diverse (racially and socio-economically), but I still think that she will feel welcome at Davidson. Plus, she will get a lot of attention in a SLAC environment. If she's interested in data science, there will be plenty of opportunities for summer internships in Charlotte (particularly if she has any interest in banking). However, if she does consider Bates, she won't have any problems finding a job. There are plenty of jobs on campus. My kid has one and really likes it and has gotten to know most of the professors in their department as a result.

I agree with posters that said it’s really between UT Austin and Davidson. Has she been able to visit Davidson?

I would personally pick Davidson provided that I felt comfortable with the distance from home and not being able to go home as often, felt like I would be able to find my group socially at the school, and that the type of internships/jobs in my field of interest were realistic for the school and for me personally. If it’s like there is one internship that goes to superstar in the department or likely a low paying/unpaid internship where I wouldn’t earn enough to cover living expenses, I would not consider it a benefit of attending.

Davidson is the highest ranked school and it offers the most money. It is a very small school and it's somewhat isolated (although in a lovely small town). Bates is better known on the East Coast, and it's quite competitive (good squash team), but it's in Maine where it's very cold if that matters.

I'd choose Davidson, personally, over the others. UT is a huge school and it will cost a lot more. She will get a lot of individual attention at Davidson or Bates. Macalaster is lower ranked, so unless she loves it, I'd choose one of the others, Davidson in particular because of higher ranking and lower cost.

This sounds like a VERY bright and focused kid. Congrats to her! Can she reach out to financial aid office at UT and see if they can help with the housing costs. If she could get some extra (non-loan) assistance for that, I’d definitely pick UT. Otherwise, Davidson.

Anonymous wrote:Davidson is a darn good LAC and the cheapest, so it sounds like the best option. I seriously would not pay 10k more of it's a real challenge or hardship that I would have to pay back later, especially to go to a large state school where I could get lost in the crowd. Seriously, Davidson sounds like the place to be (that or another cheap LAC).

Totally agree with this.

Bates, Davidson, Macalester are not equal. Macalester is a great school but significantly less competitive (although perhaps that's changing.) I've got a kid at Bates, and love the school, but given the cost breakdown (and rankings, weather) I'd pick Davidson.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Davidson is the cheapest?

I think it has the best name recognition outside of UT.

I’d go with that if she wants the SLAC experience.

Funny. I had never heard of it until this year.

Bates and Macalester have better name recognition in my world.

Small world.

Anonymous wrote:Davidson is the cheapest?

I think it has the best name recognition outside of UT.

I’d go with that if she wants the SLAC experience.

Funny. I had never heard of it until this year.

Bates and Macalester have better name recognition in my world.

OP, I am struggling as my college profile was similar to the student described here and...I don't think there's a perfect answer. Being one of many work study students at a state school can be safety and comfort in numbers. But you can also get lost and not necessarily get the individual professor attention that can be such a boost. Of course SLACs can also have a lot of well-heeled students so it is not like you escape money, money, money.

Looking over those packages, however, the Davidson offer requires the least amount of work hours to hit their number. Scraping together $5000/year takes a lot of hours and some jobs may pay no better than minimum wage. And I am super partial to Macalester!

Bates - no way
Macalester - hmmm
Davidson - best for the buck
UT - upsides and downsides, including graduating with debt and perhaps curtailing opportunities.

GL to DC!