Anonymous
Post 02/27/2026 16:43     Subject: Re:What kind of colleges can an ~80th percentile kid get merit aid at versus where she'd get in but get none?
For mid-sized, you may want to check out University of Rochester. For SLAC, maybe Connecticut College or Oberlin. Importantly, when you look at the schools' mid-50% range for SAT scores, pay close attention to the percentage of admitted students who reported SAT scores. This will help you figure out: (1) how inflated those SAT numbers are; and (2) whether your kid should apply test optional. Every school has a common data set that usually includes this information. Just google the name of the college and "common data set" and you will be able to access it. Hope this helps. Lastly, there are many good schools that give merit aid.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2026 15:58     Subject: What kind of colleges can an ~80th percentile kid get merit aid at versus where she'd get in but get none?
Miami Ohio
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2026 15:54     Subject: What kind of colleges can an ~80th percentile kid get merit aid at versus where she'd get in but get none?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Honest question, with all due respect:

Why should a student with those credentials deserve "merit" aid? Where's the "merit?"


My understanding is that many schools give merit aid to try to draw in kids who would be above-average level for their particular school, right? Trying to figure out how low down you need to go for schools to be interested in doing that for a kid like this.


A kid who is basically a 3.5 student with a 1200-1300 is not going to be above-average at any college anywhere. Do you qualify for financial aid? If not, I think you should expect to pay full pay and not chase merit at all.


Stupid post of the year.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2026 15:42     Subject: What kind of colleges can an ~80th percentile kid get merit aid at versus where she'd get in but get none?
Anonymous wrote:Midwest flagships


Good merit for good-not-great stats at places like Oklahoma, Ok State, Nebraska, Kansas, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa State, LSU.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2026 12:48     Subject: What kind of colleges can an ~80th percentile kid get merit aid at versus where she'd get in but get none?
My kid got into Carleton, Grinnell and William & Mary (in state). Grinnell offered enough merit aid that the price equaled W&M in state. Carleton is obviously ranked higher but not crazy higher and my kid didn't like it so much better to justify twice the tuition. In fact, they actually preferred Grinnell.

I wouldn't sacrifice a whole tier (or two) of schools for merit aid. If your kid worked hard enough to deserve "merit" aid you should reward them by letting them go where they want and to be with their intellectual peers.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2026 12:15     Subject: What kind of colleges can an ~80th percentile kid get merit aid at versus where she'd get in but get none?
My kid is a middle of the pack student. He got a ton of aid from Ohio University and Iowa State. Really need to stay away from the big name schools. Although, if you wind up with a 1300 you will have more choices. Mine was TO.

Also, less competitive Catholic/Jesuit schools give out decent merit. Think Duquesne, Dayton, Saint Josephs, John Carroll, Loyola, etc. Should come in around 40,000.

Also, may want to look at SLAC ranked below 40 that have big endowments. My son had pretty good luck with one and the Net Price Calculator said he would have got a nice package from another.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2026 03:30     Subject: What kind of colleges can an ~80th percentile kid get merit aid at versus where she'd get in but get none?
This is tough OP. Smaller and lower ranked privates may offer you merit, but they start out at $80K+ so $20K in merit doesn’t bring the COA down enough for you. Your state schools almost always offer the best cost.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2026 00:53     Subject: What kind of colleges can an ~80th percentile kid get merit aid at versus where she'd get in but get none?
Anonymous wrote:For "gives merit aid" let's define it as something like "gets total cost of attendance down to, say, something in the ballpark of $40K per year or less"? Does that seem realistic?


This is challenging. For my good but not top student, Loyola Maryland and University of Delaware came down to mid-40s. She may have more luck if she’s willing to go to lower tier liberal arts colleges who need students. St. Olaf came down to mid-30s.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2026 22:55     Subject: What kind of colleges can an ~80th percentile kid get merit aid at versus where she'd get in but get none?
Alabama, Iowa, KU, UVM -- good schools with great opportunities and solid merit aid. The schools love DMV students. A good DMV student (or any other good student from a large metro area ) is a cut above those states' typical students!
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2026 22:53     Subject: What kind of colleges can an ~80th percentile kid get merit aid at versus where she'd get in but get none?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Honest question, with all due respect:

Why should a student with those credentials deserve "merit" aid? Where's the "merit?"


Are you daft?

WTF is wrong with you for taking a passive aggressive dig at someone asking a sincere question?

The kid deserves merit at many schools because they have merit. They are smart, well above average and would be a huge contributor to many schools. Thewy bring much to the table and are worthy of getting a discount (which is what merit actually is) in return for attending a school where typical kids go.


Merit has nothing to do with merit. It is all about marketing and negotiation. That’s why it would behoove everyone to wait til April 30 to commit. My average kid just got an addl $4000 thrown at her after attending an admitted student day and not committing on the spot. This is a respectable top 200 school that has great career outcomes. Total COA is now $36K.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2026 22:48     Subject: What kind of colleges can an ~80th percentile kid get merit aid at versus where she'd get in but get none?
You’re smart to be thinking ahead. Since your child is just heading into HS, do some digging on Reddit and online to see how you can best set them up for a successful application process. For example, have them lean into their interests, seek out unique camp/ internship / volunteer opportunities early on. Selingo’s books will be useful, google his Buyers and Sellers list. There are a lot of great colleges out there who will offer your student merit aid, just don’t fall into the trap of the rankings game.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2026 22:36     Subject: What kind of colleges can an ~80th percentile kid get merit aid at versus where she'd get in but get none?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

2). What kinds of colleges would she likely be able to get into without any merit aid?



If you're talking about LACs (which is my area of knowledge) the interesting thing is that the answer to your question No. 2 is "very few." The LACs beyond the top 30 or so offer merit aid to essentially everyone, and most of the LACs in the top 30 offer merit aid to no one. And a kid like you're describing is unlikely to be able to get into those LACs that don't offer merit aid, because they're very selective. Essentially, everyone is trying to get into the same 20 or so LACs, and those LACs can afford not to offer merit aid, and every other LAC is fighting for people and handing out substantial merit aid to kids like yours.

We found this with my kid, who sounds similar to your 80th percentile kid (though his SAT score was 1460.). He wound up EDing to Conn College, which gave him a substantial merit scholarship. But I'm not sure he could have "done better" if we'd been willing to do full-pay. Maybe he could have gotten into, say, Bates, ED. But WASP, Bowdoin, Wesleyan, Vassar, Hamilton, Carleton? I don't think he would have.

Also, I would add that in terms of getting the COA down to $40,000 with merit aid, that would be very hard at any top 50-60 LAC for a kid with those stats. The schools in the 40-60 range will liberally hand out aid that gets the cost down to $50,000 or $55,000, but they know what their break-even line is. It is maybe possible at schools in very low cost of living areas.


If you're willing to go to Memphis, and get car-jacked, shot at, or stabbed at various points over your 4 years there, you could go to Rhodes College, USNWR #55 LAC, where they give everyone $30k in merit, knocking your net price down to $45k from their nominal $75k COA.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2026 21:05     Subject: What kind of colleges can an ~80th percentile kid get merit aid at versus where she'd get in but get none?
Anonymous wrote:Case Western. I believe they give almost all accepted students some merit. Could be 30K or 50K, depending on your stats.


OPs stats are too low, not getting into Case.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2026 20:53     Subject: What kind of colleges can an ~80th percentile kid get merit aid at versus where she'd get in but get none?
In order to get good merit aid, you typically need to be at or above that school’s 75th percentile for SAT scores and GPA. This usually means going 1-2 tiers lower than where you are capable of being admitted. For example, a kid who gets into UMCP with no merit will likely get substantial merit to Towson, West Virginia University, George Mason, etc.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2026 20:28     Subject: What kind of colleges can an ~80th percentile kid get merit aid at versus where she'd get in but get none?
With that profile, there are many options, that will give quality education, 40k or less (I assume it was a op that posted that definition of merit). From my perspective, it is not worth paying more just because of prestige. Do not go into debt yourself for college.