<p>yeah, I guess as parents paying these kinds of bills we're entitled to a little bias...:)</p>
<p>and it always does seem to work out.</p>
<p>2331clk and IKF725, I really did try to provide the pros and cons of all schools that she applied to in an unbiased manner. However, I have to agree that in subtle ways, my feelings did creep in to the report.</p>
<p>Its hard to argue with money offered from a comparable school. FYI, the same situation occurs in grad school admissions. </p>
<p>The differences between the students whether admitted, waitlisted, or declined, is so very small that it is not measurable. The cut occurred at time of application. For a student in the arts, the criteria is even more maddening and very much subjective.</p>
<p>taxguy,</p>
<p>You crack me up! You know your girl is going to be telling those "Dad" stories to your grandchildren one day! "I remember the time my dad gave me a 15 page analysis of college choices....." :) Speaking of grandchildren, what are you going to do when she is trying to decide baby names where there are hundreds of choices?! Better keep that computer system in good shape! :) </p>
<p>She has some great choices though! Best of luck to her (and you!)</p>
<p>"subtle ways"??!! Heck, we were pretty much shouting "I like School A!" and "If I were you, I'd go to School B". In retrospect, it was pretty comical, given that we all thought CMU would be it.</p>
<p>My S was admitted to SCS and CIT-ECE but offered no aid; we submitted both the Reduced Income Form and a competing offer from Penn - one of CMU's peer institutions. I just called to check and apparently he's still not being offered any aid after review. So even admitted students may not be so wonderful that CMU will pay to keep them. My H wants to call and argue with Financial Aid but I doubt that will change anything. As noted there are plenty on the waiting list willing to pay full fare. CMU is far and away our S's top choice so it looks like we will just have to bite the bullet - and maybe delay retirement.</p>
<p>I wonder how many admitted students don't matriculate due to inadequate financial aid?</p>
<p>Just checked the online data display and the woman on the phone must have been wrong since it now lists a small Institutional Scholarship - about 80% of the "free" money offer from Penn (vs work study). That makes us feel better - they really do want him!</p>
<p>congratulations Marilyn anything is better than nothing. </p>
<p>A few years ago we sent them JHU fin aid and they upped S's grant by $2500, like yours it was listed as "Institutional Scholarship (or Grant)". Doesn't sound like much but he stayed a 5th year (masters), it carried over each year, so it was worth $12,500 to us....not bad.</p>
<p>GL to your S....CS in particular is an awesome program.</p>
<p>Thanks 2331clk! It was hard turning down the other schools - but we agree that CMU's CS is in a class by itself.</p>