Byerly and Hanna - could help your insights

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>I was hoping that you could have provided comment on parents thread. I am so sorry to ask this stupid question. My son plays varsity football and has scored Math II 800, Chemistry 800, and PSAT 230. SAT 1480 in while in 8th grade. This summer he is doing internship in Biochemistry in with a renowned professor. He loves to debate and won many prizes. He has taken very hard course load including AP World History –5 and AP Bio 5 in 10th grade. He is expecting in 11th grade 5 in AP BC calculus, 5 in Chemistry, 5 in European History. His school does not rank and he in top 10%? </p>

<p>Initially we thought that without financial backing Ivy was out of our reach and thought either applying to state honors program or school such as Emory or Rice as they offer some merit aid awards. However many parents on parent board have educated us that we were wrong and educated us that Ivy league school offers financial need based aid. Since our gross for year is around $65,000, we may be eligible for financial aid on need basis. </p>

<p>As our kid’s chance to be accepted in Economics program at Harvard is crapshoot and is slim based on facts that admission in Harvard is crapshoot. Thus, we are rethinking about trying to apply EA or ED, as $$$$$ plays a very significant role in admissions.</p>

<p>Many parents on parentsboard have suggested that ED at Princeton will give a boost to be admitted. But following assumption is what I need wisdom that “Applying ED does not lower the financial aid award on need basis in Princeton. If this is not the case he may be applying EA to other schools.”</p>

<p>If you could shed some wisdom, I would appreciate it.</p>

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<ol>
<li><p>I assume that while he "plays football" he is unlikely to be recruited as an athlete.</p></li>
<li><p>His odds of admission to Harvard, Yale, Stanford of Princeton will be substantially enhanced if he applies early. </p></li>
<li><p>HYP all give substrantial need-based aid, and your son would probably qualify if admitted. Aiid packages are often not identical, however, so that there is an advantage to being able to compare and - occasionally - to play one school off against the other if the opportunity presents itself.</p></li>
<li><p>You will not have the opportunity to compare aid packages unless you apply to an SCEA school (HYS) or to one or more EA schools.</p></li>
<li><p>Princeton certainly offers good financial aid, but if admitted ED you will have to take what they offer without being able to compare it with what other schools might offer.</p></li>
<li><p>DO apply early SOMEPLACE, whether EA, SCEA or ED.</p></li>
</ol>

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<p>Byerly</p>

<p>Your first assumption is right. You have given us a clear picture with some nice options. Thanks a lot.</p>