<p>Has anyone had any luck getting a college to match Merit money? My daughter has been accepted at 3 schools. Duquesne is her first choice, but they offered her the least amount of money. Has anyone had any luck getting Duquesne or another college to match Merit awards?</p>
<p>Accepted already?</p>
<p>In any case, yes, I have heard of some people having success. Why not ask if they can match? Say she really likes Duquesne but somewhere else offers more. She will attend if Duquesne matches. Otherwise, it would be a hard decision.</p>
<p>Yes, she has already been accepted to 3 of her 7 schools. Sent all apps in between mid Sept. to mid Oct. The program she wanted in some of the schools was very selective and we were told to apply early. She should hear from two others soon. The last two won’t reply until after the new year, but they were fall back schools.</p>
<p>Are the other schools peer schools (similar rank)? Are they also privates?</p>
<p>Schools know that students can get more money at a lower ranked school, so they won’t attempt to compete with those.</p>
<p>Some schools will not adjust offers. </p>
<p>It really depends on the school and how much they want the student/want to protect their yield, actually. Close to a decade ago, a friend of a co-worker’s daughter got in to a run-of-the-mill state flagship with full-tuition covered and UChicago with fin aid (not enough to pay all tuition). That father told UChicago she’d go to the state school unless UChicago upped their offer and UChicago added enough merit money to make costs match the state school’s.</p>
<p>In any case, I don’t see the harm in asking.</p>
<p>They are all private catholic schools. Duquesne is larger than the others. They all have a 5 year accelerated Speech pathology program (only 7 accelerated programs in the country). D received top scholarship in the two other schools. Duquesne doesn’t list scholarship amounts anywhere on their site. </p>
<p>I think it is fine to ask, but you should wait until you have all the financial award s in. I would contact the Duquesne FA office and ask which award (name? amount?) she received and what it would take to get a higher award - better score, recommendation of an alum/priest/teacher? She might be able to retake the SAT and get more money. Ask if there are other merit awards she could stack with this one. The FA office might have some ideas, and if they know you/she is interested and willing to ‘work’ for more, it can only help your appeal.</p>