<p>So, back at the end of November, I was accepted at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. I had been told by several people that due to my academic standing, I was basically guaranteed a scholarship that would cover the out-of-state difference (it's called the Gold National Scholarship). So. Months pass by - and still nothing. Now, I got into some other schools (Boston University and Tulane University), but their financial aid was bad - and thus, no dice there. </p>
<p>University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a school I wouldn't mind attending. However, the issue is now financial. If I can convince the school to give me that scholarship, or provide more financial aid, I would be able to afford it. A friend told me I should use the fact that I got into Cornell University (via likely letter) as leverage to convince them to give me more aid. </p>
<p>I am not sure how to approach this bargaining method, though. Any tips?</p>
<p>You got your finaid from Minnesota so all you want is the Gold National Scholarship? If so and you meet the criteria (top 15, leadership, diversity etc. etc.) then it’s entirely possible that you might get that bump if you call the finaid office, and tell them you will absolutey enroll the next day if they award you that in writing and guarantee it for all 4 years. The next option is a 50% Gold…is that enough? You need to know exactlly what you want and why. No guarantees but it can’t hurt to ask if that is the single thing that is keeping you from attending. If you are still shopping “them” or waiting for aid from Cornell or some other important private you may not have the leverage because they might feel you don’t feel the love…University of Minnesota is certainly an outlier to Tulane, BC and Cornell??? What do they have that you want that put them on your list with these other elite institutions, clearly there must have been something a particulat major…what is it… I think that is what you will need to articulate…a reason for them to award and proof that you will go elsewhere if they don’t award and proof that will attend if they do award. It’s a public school they don’t have a ton of awards to toss out. The worse thing that would happen is they will say “OK go to BC or go to Cornell or go to Tulane”…then what?</p>
<p>If accepted into Cornell I think the school meets students need. Well when do you hear back from Cornell? You can call the admission office and ask them about the automatic scholarship.</p>