My D has conducted many visits and is narrowing the list and we're digging deeper into the aid process - many thanks to the helpful responses to my other post on NPCs and "need" discrepancies.
Now we're trying to figure out how the combo of need and merit aid works. I understand one group of schools (including many of those that "meet 100% need" state explicitly they provide NO merit aid. Clearly there is wiggle room in that statement for some, but in many cases (ivies for example) they're pretty firm. So ... for those schools the NPC and need-package is what it is ... though it may adjust to meet another one.
Many other schools however give both need and merit, and while in many cases the merit aid simply replaces need aid and so makes no difference in the ultimate package, other schools do appear to stack aid if they want you. If previous threads provide lists that help us sort this out wonderful, but if folks have experience in aid stackability at these schools below, I'd love to hear about it.
I realize it's an eclectic list - my D is very strong both academically and musically, and is trying hard to balance those interests and so far (despite our discussions that she won't be able to "do it all") is trying to keep options open to pursue both, possibly in double majors, or dual degrees, or just taking a year or two to explore and then decide (part of the purpose, after all, of an LAC!) Obviously, we also understand that even if a school does stack need and merit, a student needs to earn the merit (!), whether through academics or arts, and yes she'll be auditioning at some of these schools, voice and piano.
Barnard College
Berklee/Boston Conservatory
Boston University
Columbia University
Depauw University School Music
Lawrence University School Music
Luther College!
Macalaster College
Oberlin College
Pomona College
St Olaf College
University of Michigan School of Music, Theater, and Dance
Vanderbilt University
Vassar College
Belmont University
Colorado College
Furman University
Gettysburg College Sunderman Conservatory of Music
Ithaca College School Music
Kenyon College
Lewis and Clark College
Muhlenberg University
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