Frequently Asked Questions for Parents
Students aren't the only ones with questions. Here, parents of Meredith students answer some of the most common questions raised by parents of prospective students.
We are grateful to the following parents, who contributed answers to our questions: Ann Troutman, Chris Ambrose, Cinda Alexander, Dorothea Bitler, Fred and Margaret Mills, Kay Demyan, Lynn Vaughan Leidheiser, Vince and Mary Mason Wood.
“Make sure that your daughter utilizes all the opportunities available to her through both her high school and Meredith to apply for scholarships, grants, and other types of financial aid. There are tremendous resources available to help with this search. In addition, Meredith can assist in work study programs that will help with the costs of attending.” – Chris Ambrose
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“Have your daughter actively check all avenues for scholarships through her high school guidance counselor, College Board.Com, and if a NC resident, check NC College Foundation. Take as many A/P, and college credit classes while in high school to enter with as many credits possible. By doing this, she could graduate in less time.” – Cinda Alexander
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“Investigate all scholarship opportunities both at Meredith and within your own community. There are many smaller scholarships that go unused or have limited application. Also, consider work-study. Finally, there are some federal loans that are at a good rate. Get as little as possible in loans but get them in your student's name.” – Dorothea Bitler
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“We currently have two children in college so costs are very important. Certainly parents and students can research scholarships, apply for aid, use student loans and in a real pinch, Meredith students can take some courses at State to offset the expense. Let’s face it, a $30K+ education today is a lot of money and if a family has other children, it is tough on parents because the living expenses have gone up.” – Fred and Margaret Mills
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“In addition to assistance options through federal programs, Meredith works with the parents to find ways of reducing the costs through scholarship assistance, work study programs, etc. Also there is a tuition option that allows you to set up monthly payments instead of a lump sum payment.” – Kay Demyan
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“Be sure to pursue any scholarship possibilities. Regardless of where they go to college, there is a great deal of scholarship money available and it is worth the effort seeking out those opportunities to help pay for college.” – Lynn Vaughan Leidheiser
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“When Lizzie applied to Meredith there was no question that she would receive a quality education. The small class size and individual attention she would receive made the cost seem reasonable. She was also lucky to qualify for an academic scholarship that was guaranteed for the four years as long as she continued to meet certain requirements. This made the cost of a private education even more reasonable.” – Vince & Mary Mason Wood
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“Our daughter did her college visitations during her high school junior year. She knew that Meredith College was her first choice. She hoped that by applying for early admission and indicating that it was her first choice that she would be able to receive a good academic scholarship. She also applied for all other scholarships available both at Meredith and locally. The local scholarships were great and helped offset her first year tuition. Her academic scholarship was great and made the tuition right in line with state supported school tuition.” – Gerri Cox
“A chance to blossom and get the individual attention she needed.” – Ann Troutman
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“Private colleges such as Meredith offer so much more than public universities. They traditionally have a better faculty to student ratio which translates into the faculty knowing your daughter on a first name basis. Private colleges also offer a more enriching college experience, as they usually offer a campus entrenched with traditions. Meredith is famous for its traditions that enrich the college experience your daughter will have.” – Chris Ambrose
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“She will have instant support from the time she moves in with Student and Faculty Advisors, a Resident Advisor, and a Big Sister on campus. She will be a person with value and not just a number in a crowd. She will be known by her professors by name and know that they are approachable. She will have a multiple opportunities for leadership positions that will prepare her for her future career and general life experience. She will be SAFE in her surroundings.” – Cinda Alexander
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“A private college has a unique support base not available in a larger public arena. The faculty is focused on the student rather than a myriad of red tape. The Alumni are passionate about their alma mater and make themselves available to support the students. The traditions are very special and the bonds quite lasting.” – Dorothea Bitler
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“Personal attention from faculty and small classes.” – Fred and Margaret Mills
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“My daughter attended a large public high school. While looking at college opportunities, we visited various campuses including large, public universities. Meredith was actually not one of the schools we had considered. Once she visited the campus, she felt a connection as well as a sense of security about the college. The classes are smaller and more personal and she has even said that the attention and help she gets from her professors is way above any she had in high school. My daughter feels that the professors really are interested in her succeeding.” – Kay Demyan
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“There are many positives to attending a private college. Smaller class sizes, individualized attention, developing relationships with classmates and professors, to name a few. There are many conveniences as well such as a smaller campus that does not feel so overwhelming for the transitioning student. Also there are wonderful perks such as computers for each student and built in meal plan, all part of the tuition.” – Lynn Vaughan Leidheiser
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“When Lizzie applied to Meredith there was no question that she would receive a quality education. The small class size and individual attention she would receive made the cost seem reasonable. She was also lucky to qualify for an academic scholarship that was guaranteed for the four years as long as she continued to meet certain requirements. This made the cost of a private education even more reasonable.” – Vince & Mary Mason Wood
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“The most important one she has shared with us is ..."Professors who know your daughter's first and last name...!" – Gerri Cox
“Mandi was able to discover her career path, get experience of leadership and be able to present herself in a very self-affirmed way.” – Ann Troutman
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“Our oldest daughter was very prepared for graduate school and is very successful in her teaching job in Fairfax County Virginia. Her travel abroad experience to Spain, Italy and Switzerland in addition to a semester doing mission work in Mexico were invaluable and makes her so engaging in the classroom because she has experienced the different cultures. Our youngest daughter, Elizabeth also studied abroad in Denmark. This experience gave her so much confidence, as she traveled alone. The first thing she said to me on the phone when she first arrived was, ‘Mom, I am so sad that I am only going to be here for 3 weeks’.” – Cinda Alexander
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“Meredith gets to know your daughter and to help her put her best foot forward in a field that will allow her to succeed. The school remains interested in their graduates for a lifetime through career center support, additional classes and degrees as well as personal contact with the students.” – Dorothea Bitler
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“Although my daughter has not graduated yet, she has already received a list of companies to apply for internships. As a past Human Resources manager with a pharmaceutical company, I know that internships often result in future employment.” – Kay Demyan
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“Meredith goes above and beyond to help place their students and graduates into internships and jobs upon graduation. Unfortunately many large universities cannot offer this same kind of help to their students. This was one of the big reasons our daughter chose Meredith, she knew that there would be assistance from the college to help her get started in her career.” – Lynn Vaughan Leidheiser
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“I have recently learned more about the Meredith Office of Academic and Career Planning and am hopeful that Lizzie will be able to benefit from this wonderful resource both before and after graduation.” – Vince & Mary Mason Wood
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“The entire college is set up for the success upon graduation! The most basic experience that promotes that concept is... our daughter has talked about her personal experiences and growth in the Little Sister/ Big Sister program. As a freshman and sophomore, she was "nurtured" by her big sis....now as a Junior, she took on the responsibility of 2 little sisters!!!!! She is now on the giving end!!!! The school also does a great job helping the students find good internships.” – Gerri Cox
“She knew all of her professors personally.” – Ann Troutman
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“To date, I am thoroughly impressed with the level of involvement of the faculty with my daughter's daily educational experience. My daughter has called faculty after hours on several occasions and has received incredible positive responses from all her faculty.” – Chris Ambrose
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“The staff have been very supportive of both daughters during family deaths and general concerns. They have been most responsive to my calls or emails. The Financial Aid office has been wonderful to work with for both daughters. They took time and a personal interest in our very unique financial circumstances. I do feel like they went above and beyond the call of duty for the Alexanders.” – Cinda Alexander
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“To this day, the faculty and administration call my daughter by name. She is invited to volunteer and feels welcome at any Meredith program. She also had faculty who helped her craft her decisions regarding her major and even helped her graduate a semester early.” – Dorothea Bitler
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“My daughter has enjoyed the faculty interaction. (She loves her advisor at Meredith.)” – Fred and Margaret Mills
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“One professor in particular took the time to discuss majors with my daughter and what she felt suited her as well as gave her more opportunities. She chose to go into graphic design and loves it. I feel that this one professor had a strong influence on her and gave her guidance that I couldn’t. She also speaks very highly of her advisor who is willing to meet with her when ever needed. Actually, my daughter has not had a professor she doesn’t like and respect!” – Kay Demyan
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“Again, the smaller class sizes, the individualized attention that Meredith can give students during their 4 years and beyond graduation.” – Lynn Vaughan Leidheiser
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“Our daughter struggled with "what aspect " of an art major was right for her. Two of the professors noticed her talent and ambivalence and helped guide her decisions.” – Gerri Cox
“By joining the parent board and/or serving on parent panels for the Admission’s office.” – Ann Troutman
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“Parents are encouraged to visit their daughter as often as they would like, keeping in mind that college is a new world and they have new friends, commitments, and obligations that will keep them super busy. Meredith also offers many opportunities for parents to be involved on campus, including athletics, academic events, dances, and the ever famous Cornhuskin'.” – Chris Ambrose
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“You may volunteer to serve on the Parent and Family Board or the Parent Fund Board. As parents we have assisted with Cornhuskin and the Moravian Christmas Lovefeast each fall. We also have hosted local events for Parents in our home as well as assist the Admissions office with Visitation days and local recruiting events here in Winston-Salem.” – Cinda Alexander
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“Parents can join the Parent's Fund/Advisory Council, may help with class outreaches (fund drives), can attend parent programs and get to know the campus.” – Dorothea Bitler
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“Donate to the AF, participate in parent volunteer activities and support your daughter.” – Fred and Margaret Mills
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“This is one way. Sharing experiences with other potential parents. With my daughter in graphic design, I have had an opportunity to visit the art department and the various activities they have. There are also cultural activities, sports etc. that parents can participate in. General support of the College in any way possible is always needed.” – Kay Demyan
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“Parents have many opportunities to participate in their daughter's experience. Meredith encourages and invites parents to join committees and boards. The College also welcomes families to events like Cornhuskin' to share in the wonderful traditions Meredith has to offer.” – Lynn Vaughan Leidheiser
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“Vince and I were asked to be on the Parents' Council from the beginning and we have learned so much about the school through this. We have also attended most events on campus that were opened up to parents including Cornhuskin, Father-Daughter Dance etc. I would encourage parents to participate whenever possible! The Meredith traditions are so rich and meaningful!” – Vince & Mary Mason Wood
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“First and foremost by listening to your daughter !! Second of all by attending every "invited" event possible!!!!” – Gerri Cox
“Stay open minded and don't make any conclusions until you have visited the college. Meredith does an excellent job in showing exactly what an all-women's college is all about and the incredible benefits that it can offer women. Meredith is at the top of the class in women's colleges in the US. Your daughter will be glad she made the Meredith decision!” – Chris Ambrose
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“I encourage an on-campus visit (overnight if possible) staying with a current student in the dorms and attending class in a discipline in which they are interested. At MC, students have the opportunity to enroll in classes at several colleges and universities in the Raleigh area to get the “big school experience” from a larger campus, larger class size, playing intramurals, and attending athletic events. This makes for the best of all worlds with endless options.” – Cinda Alexander
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“Meredith has the advantage of offering an attractive, competitive, somewhat insulated environment for classes - but has a major university just down the road. There is access to classes at NCSU and there is ample access to the male population for social times. (and other schools such as St. Aug's, Shaw, UNC and Duke very close by)” – Dorothea Bitler
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“Meredith is not located in an isolated region of the country. It is located in a capital city and adjacent to a large public university. My daughter has friends at Meredith and State so she enjoys the best of both worlds. Her academic world is small because of Meredith, but she enjoys a full college experience by attending sporting events at NCSU and other area universities.” – Fred and Margaret Mills
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“Have her visit the campus. Talk to some of the ladies on campus. I would never had thought my daughter would chose an all-women’s college, but she is very happy she did. She feels there is less conflict and judgment and classes remain focused on the tasks at hand.” – Kay Demyan
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"NC State is across the road.......you roll out of bed with your PJ's on to go to your 8:00 a.m. Biology class..... you can shower and change before your 11:00 a.m. golf class that you signed up for through the reciprocation program at NC State!” – Gerri Cox
