<p>Yes, this sounds ridiculous and impossible but I am willing to do the ridiculous and impossible if it will get me into my college.
I flew 5000 miles to visit my dream school of years, Emerson College, today. My dad has been completely against my attendance, but said he would match what I get in scholarships. I was accepted into Emerson, and then worked my tush off and prayed and prayed to get into the honors program--which covers half tuition.
I found out an hour ago that I did not get into the honors program, and am not receiving any financial aid. I am supposed to drive a final 5 hrs tomorrow to go on the tour, and now my dad says he won't go because I cannot go to Emerson anymore. He refuses to let me because of the money.
I have applied and am applying to numerous outside scholarships, but still have not received anything. I heard from someone that they called the dean of their school once and explained why that school needed a student like her, and she was able to get a scholarship.</p>
<p>I am in hysterics right now, as my entire college plan has come crashing down within an hour. I am in the city of my now ex-future college, and I am desperate. Does anyone have any advice? Either way, I am trying this. I have absolutely nothing to lose now.</p>
<p>in another thread your dad said what he is willing to pay. With an EFC of 45K (and I don’t know if Emerson is a CSS profile school or not), you will not get need based aid at most colleges. you didn’t get the Honors program and whatever money that meant.</p>
<p>move on and hopefully you have applied to a school you can afford and will be happy at.</p>
<p>they take 50 people into the Honors program and they didn’t pick you.</p>
<p>Your EFC is > COA. </p>
<p>Find a cheaper school or one that will give merit aid to you</p>
<p>He was willing to pay for Univ of Florida, and was only willing to pay for Emerson as long as I got the scholarship.
I have backup schools, but I will not give up on Emerson until I have exhausted all possibilities. I was merely asking for advice.</p>
<p>personal opinion - they aren’t going to give you 25K (in other words, there is little chance, IMO, they will give you enough to make it affordable in your Dad’s eyes). You can take up to 5500 in stafford loans (for any school).</p>
<p>Well, good for you for being brave enough to do this! I have no advice for you, admire your bravery, and whether it works or not, I think you’ll take something good away from it. Good luck!</p>
<p>thank you. And I know that it will most likely be worthless…but it can’t hurt. One last question, do you think calling the Dean of Admissions would be more effective or someone high up in the financial aid department?</p>
<p>Whenever a student mentions a “dream school” in the first sentence, I know where things are headed. </p>
<p>There is no one perfect school for you. There are many schools where you can get a fine education. Hopefully, you applied to some of them, and were admitted.</p>
<p>Let’s first get the terminology right. He is not “refusing to let you go”. He is only willing to pay 1/2 the cost. Big difference.</p>
<p>Well, in your situation, it can’t hurt to beg. Worst case, they say no. You can plead your case, and maybe they will think 1/2 tuition is better than no tuition. You never know what their alternatives are.</p>
<p>OperaDad: I am sorry I did not clarify. He is refusing to let me go visit the college tomorrow because of the lack of money to pay for it next year.</p>
<p>Money is a rough, rough thing. & so is chances for acceptance for an extremely selective honors program! It sounds like you have worked EXTREMELY hard to secure your chance to go to a school which appeals to you so much. Be proud of your accomplishments thus far–no matter what the outcome is, you have survived the college admissions process and put in countless hours of work, frustration, worrying, and hoping to make your dream come alive. So, after everything you have done, I really don’t think it could hurt to try just a few hours more. Email or call the dean of admissions, department chair, financial aid office, etc. State your cause as clearly and as passionately as possible. Set yourself apart from other students, explain why you want to go there so much, what you believe an Emerson education could do for you. Of course, be professional, but also be who you are as an individual. Also, ask each person you contact if there is anyone else you should speak to concerning the matter.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you! Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions. :)</p>
<p>Jig, call the admissions office and find out who is the best person to discuss the honors situation. Maybe, maybe, maybe, enough people will turn down the honors awards on May 1 that there are a few awards left over. If you state your case, and if you can come up with the half the other money, and meet the criteria closely enough to be a consideration, it is a possibility. Let them know; it won’t hurt. You might consider sending them a deposit and acceptance based on that possibility by May 1, which would add some weight to your appeal. Emerson won’t know until well into May who has accepted their offerings, and they might come up short in numbers. I would also make sure you keep your second choice and more realistic option open. </p>
<p>That is the best you can do. With an EFC of $40K, it is very difficult for such a family to come up with close to that amount for college. Meeting EFC is not easy, especially in this financial environment.</p>
<p>Probably a little late for advice, but tell your Dad you want this one chance to plead your case in person, and if it doesn’t work out, then you will give up on attending. Tell him it is only a few $$'s to let you go, but you will then know that you did all you could.</p>
<p>i didn’t read all of these posts, but i’d def call up to make an appointment with the dean and show him/her that you are QUALIFIED to be an honors student and that if you could get into the honors program, you will def go to the school because it will be more affordable. believe me, if this was my dream school and i was in your shoes, what do you have to lose? see if you can make an emergency appointment the day your going on the tour. tell them the matter and be patient and confident. see if they can re-evaluate you for the honors program. </p>