<p>if you are at the top of the applicant pool, are you more likely to receive a generous aid package?
i understand that methodologies underlie aid awards but i have heard that there is some "negotiation" ie Yale gave more than you, but I'd rather go to College X, will you give me more?</p>
<p>Not quite. Most colleges will not "negotiate" awards, but are willing to hear appeals on a case by case basis. Often it is the case that, if financial aid awards are radically different (and are not based on merit) that one college either has information which the other doesn't (tax returns, etc), or that one college has made an assumption about data that the other hasn't. In these cases, we will consider where we can what other information a family can present to us about their financial circumstances and made adjustments where appropriate.</p>