Anonymous wrote:So --- my post got closed and referred here. My interest is more in the top schools. I see a few like Emory, WashU, Tulane, W&M (we are out of state) listed here. SLAC's listed broadly but would like specifics...and are there others for a very high stats kid willing to set an Ivy or top SLAC aside.

Original Post
"What are the top schools that offer merit aid?

Currently have a junior who has stats to have a chance at top schools and has funds to be full pay. Considering some Ivys, top SLACs, and others outside top 20 on a stats perspective. But with long term picture in mind, I'd like to have DS also consider schools that could potentially get merit aid and then have a choice in the end among acceptances so that some include the option to take a merit package vs a full pay and save the 529 funds for graduate school."

If you are paying attention to this board generally, you will know that the top schools only take the top kids (like yours) but since there are more of those kids than seats every year, they do not have to offer significant merit aid to get them.

The next tier of schools want those same kids, but understand that to get them, they will have to compete by offering generous scholarships.

So, what you are seeking may be a bit of a unicorn. Most families in your position have to choose between a very impressive sounding school with a hefty bill OR a very respectable school that will offers their child an excellent education, at a enviable price.

Both appealing choices but only you can weigh the value of each.

Neighbor’s kid got some merit aid form Carnegie Mellon, don’t know the details

So --- my post got closed and referred here. My interest is more in the top schools. I see a few like Emory, WashU, Tulane, W&M (we are out of state) listed here. SLAC's listed broadly but would like specifics...and are there others for a very high stats kid willing to set an Ivy or top SLAC aside.

Original Post
"What are the top schools that offer merit aid?

Currently have a junior who has stats to have a chance at top schools and has funds to be full pay. Considering some Ivys, top SLACs, and others outside top 20 on a stats perspective. But with long term picture in mind, I'd like to have DS also consider schools that could potentially get merit aid and then have a choice in the end among acceptances so that some include the option to take a merit package vs a full pay and save the 529 funds for graduate school."

Bump

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:
And, they need to be able to WRITE.

I just want to be sure everyone gets to appreciate the irony.

Why the irony? I'm the person you are quoting.

If your kid isn't great at writing personal essays, don't chase merit aid. They could be super smart and accomplished in math and science fields, but the scholarship application process requires them to be able to churn out multiple, excellent and compelling essays.

Don't put a comma after a coordinating conjunction at the beginning of a sentence, and don't emphasize through typography.

Goodness.

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Anonymous wrote:OP child might get merit aid from UMD as well.

OP here, we're definitely hoping for President's or BK...that would make the decision easy for DS. That being said, UMD has gotten so competitive that there certainly aren't any guarantees for merit aid like there are at other schools.

They've been saying that for years. BK unlikely but President's is def possible.

Why unlikely? High stats, hard classes, good ECs, and from a school that isn't known to be hypercompetitive - stands out against peers. I get that BK is super competitive for all, but can you explain why you think it's unlikely. Based on knowledge of other students, honors is practically a given, and I'd like to think that the top honors students get BK and Presidents.

Because umpteen kids with stats just like your kid’s or better are applying.

“Umpteen” kids?
OPs kid with SAT of 1550 + has great stats.
Just for some perspective 1520+ is in the 99th percentile
For most top ten schools the 75th percentile of admitted students got 1570+ so OPs kid is probably among the top 10000 sat takers in the country
You do need more than that to get merit aid at UMD (especially BK) but they would definitely be in the running
Getting the President’s scholarship would be much more likely.

OP my kid was in a similar situation a couple of years ago. Wanted to stay in the mid Atlantic/East coast and was open to Slacs. Interested in stem. Got a few merit aid packages (Pitt, Brandeis,William and Mary and a couple of others) but we learned that it is very difficult to get merit aid from a top 30 school. Once you are looking at the next tier of schools (30-60) it is more likely but UMD is still significantly likely to be much cheaper especially if UMD gives even a small scholarship. So then you have to decide whether it is worth spending an extra $20-30k per year for a school that might not offer a much better education. If your child would definitely be better off in a smaller lac it might be worth paying extra but if they don’t mind going to a bigger university you can’t beat UMD ito value for money especially for STEM. So far, all but one of my child’s classes have been taught by a full-time professor and he has liked his classes. Most of his classes have been small. The campus is actually very nice. I think my child would have preferred a smaller university but no complaints about the quality of his education.

Susquehanna is rising in popularity due to merit scholarships.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP child might get merit aid from UMD as well.

OP here, we're definitely hoping for President's or BK...that would make the decision easy for DS. That being said, UMD has gotten so competitive that there certainly aren't any guarantees for merit aid like there are at other schools.

They've been saying that for years. BK unlikely but President's is def possible.

Why unlikely? High stats, hard classes, good ECs, and from a school that isn't known to be hypercompetitive - stands out against peers. I get that BK is super competitive for all, but can you explain why you think it's unlikely. Based on knowledge of other students, honors is practically a given, and I'd like to think that the top honors students get BK and Presidents.

Because umpteen kids with stats just like your kid’s or better are applying.

Btw in state tuition at Binghamton in $7,100 a year

Binghamton in NY which is a great SUNY school
- best in NY is looking to attract more students outside the CT, NY and NJ area. My daughter with similar stats offered her in state tuition rate all four years. Yes the just offer in state tuition to really smart out of state students

Anonymous wrote:In the beginning you mentioned probable National Merit Semifinalist, Is she a NM semifinalist now as the list is announced ?

If yes, there are tonnes of schools which offer merit scholarships. there is a list for semifinalists too

https://www.collegekickstart.com/blog/item/colleges-with-great-scholarships-for-national-merit-finalists

OP here, yes DS was named a NMSF and plans on designating Northeastern. Not particularly interested in any other schools that offer substantial merit aid to NMF.

University of Rochester gives decent merit but not enough to make the school comparable with in-state tuition.

In the beginning you mentioned probable National Merit Semifinalist, Is she a NM semifinalist now as the list is announced ?

If yes, there are tonnes of schools which offer merit scholarships. there is a list for semifinalists too

https://www.collegekickstart.com/blog/item/colleges-with-great-scholarships-for-national-merit-finalists

Anonymous wrote:In-state UVA or W&M, sorry that wasn’t clear

No problem. No doubt UVA in state would be ideal!

In-state UVA or W&M, sorry that wasn’t clear