<p>Because of my financial situation (divorce, etc.), my mother is in continual contact with the financial aid office at most of the colleges I applied to. Today she told me that in her discussion with Harvard, the officer had "mentioned" that she was preparing my financial aid package, and that she plans on calling my father tomorrow to get some documents. From what I've read on the forums, Harvard finishes deliberations on the 21st, and considering the number of applications they receive, I find it implausible that they would still be putting so much effort into my financial aid if I was not already accepted. Is this logic probable or just part of my anxious delusions?</p>
<p>Man, these topics are becoming sooo prevalent.</p>
<p>I wouldn't read too much into it and risk getting your hopes up. The admissions and aid processes are separate, afterall. Just wait ten days and hope for the best.</p>
<p>These topics are starting to **** me off. Read the threads on the first page before posting because your question will probably be answered.</p>
<p>I'm not trying to be a jerk, but the noise created by redundant threads is irritating.</p>
<p>Yeah, they're allll over. Jesus.</p>
<p>It's quite understandable that people are frantic over "hints". April is coming, after all. Gavroche, you already got into Amherst, plz give other people a chance to vent their frustration;)</p>
<p>It may **** some of you off but it is actually a legitimate point.
Last year some people (including me) reported receiving financial aid emails that our files were incomplete. Everyone who received that email was later admitted except for one who was waitlisted (probably a very close call).</p>
<p>Moral of the story is: they don't waste time calculating financial aid on people who aren't at least being seriously considered or more likely already admitted.</p>
<p>Everyone that applies has a FA package prepared. There is no way they can guess which ones to prepare and which ones not to prepare. If you had checked further, some of the rejected were probably also contacted if their files were incomplete.</p>
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Moral of the story is: they don't waste time calculating financial aid on people who aren't at least being seriously considered or more likely already admitted.
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So you bother Harvard about your fin aid and then when they respond you exclaim "I'm admitted". Lololol.</p>
<p>No, you bother harvard about your financial aid, and they respond with "the officer had "mentioned" that she was preparing my financial aid package, and that she plans on calling my father tomorrow to get some documents."</p>
<p>You've got to be crazy not to start getting suspicious. Why would she be preparing a financial aid package this late in the process of admissions? I'm almost certain that as soon as an applicant is either waitlisted or rejected, the processes for their financial aid are stopped so that the aid office can concentrate on those students will be admitted or are very close to being admitted.</p>
<p>^^ I agree. This is definitely NOT a bad sign although not a 100% admit. I truly believe you are still in the running. They say colleges make decisions up until the last minute, so nothing is for certain. But, I would say you are definitely NOT in their reject bin.</p>
<p>One week before decisions came out for another school, their FA office contacted my mom because they wanted more info. I got in.</p>
<p>Btw: Today, my mom just received another request from another school (I'm not saying which one) asking from more documentation. She called them and they said to make sure and get them the info within the week otherwise it will delay my f.a. package. Yes, they said f.a. package! Decisions come out in 1 week and I'm pretty sure they would not go to this trouble if I was not getting in (or at least still in the running). So, I'm not saying I'm in but I will safely say I have not made it to the reject pile, at least yet.</p>
<p>I agree...yes... the chance is very high but not certain...but at least it's a good sign if not a good thing for your imagination during these countdown days cuz when April comes no more room for your to imagine - either agony or felicity after that... luck to you anyways</p>
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No, you bother harvard about your financial aid, and they respond with "the officer had "mentioned" that she was preparing my financial aid package, and that she plans on calling my father tomorrow to get some documents
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I am sorry but WHAT?</p>
<p>Oh my...that would be awesome. They just contacted me to fill out a noncustodial parent form. Heh...we're all so desperate.</p>
<p>"Everyone that applies has a FA package prepared. There is no way they can guess which ones to prepare and which ones not to prepare. If you had checked further, some of the rejected were probably also contacted if their files were incomplete."</p>
<p>Not true. You are first admitted/rejected/waitlisted and then your file is sent to financial aid (only if you were admitted). Why would they spend hours and hours calculating financial aid for 20k+ applicants many of whom have no chance at admission? It makes no sense.</p>
<p>Since it is need blind they don't need to review financial aid documents until after the decision has been made or at least close to being made. They may send a small fraction of files to fin aid before a decision has been made if the person is a serious candidate but I think for the most part that isn't the case.</p>
<p>I'm talking about contact 1-2 weeks before decision time not several months out. If it is several months out it is probably an automated email/contact and thus not indicative of admission.</p>
<p>Having said that - you will not get an accurate response if you initiate a call to fin aid. They have to contact you about missing documents for it to be a real sign and you won't get a any sign if your file is complete.</p>
<p>umm, well i received a "your financial aid status is incomplete" email from princeton, but i didn't even send in a whole application and there is no way they will acccept me without the app and essays and such. moral: the f.a. notification does not correspond to an acceptance.</p>
<p>I think receiving a blanket email and a phone call asking for specific information are two different matters. The f.a. office (this late in the game) is not going to ask for specific f.a. info. if the applicant is still not in the running.</p>
<p>About 6 weeks ago, I was asked for more documentation from a school. I was waitlisted from this school. I agree, in the beginning, the start f.a. packages for ALL candidates -- basically just crunching the numbers. But, when they need specific info. from an applicant 1 to 2 weeks before decisions are made, then I truly believe it is a good sign.</p>
<p>i was also contacted to fill out a non-custodial form, although they emailed me a week ago (3/14). any chance they started making decisions that early?</p>
<p>i was told to wait and send the 2005 returns when they were ready- this was last week.</p>
<p>@ worldshopper:
chewy and others above were basing their conclusions on blanket emails, hence my post.</p>
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Not true. You are first admitted/rejected/waitlisted and then your file is sent to financial aid (only if you were admitted). Why would they spend hours and hours calculating financial aid for 20k+ applicants many of whom have no chance at admission? It makes no sense.
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Totally wrong, but you will believe what you want. The committe is still meeting and will be until the last minute. Everybody that's admitted gets an FA offer with their package if they completed the material. Therefore, they prepare them all. They can't possibly know who the last admits will be.</p>