I feel like my draft is too vague.
I figured it’s worth the shot to appeal.
Did you apply to any less expensive options?
Looking at the stats, Tulane isn’t generous with low income families
https://projects.propublica.org/colleges/schools/tulane-university-of-louisiana
I don’t believe Tulane guarantees to meet full need for all accepted students.
@aroundhere It’s so funny because I applied because people on here told me they were generous with FA…
The only other school I applied to was USC (waiting to hear back)… I hear their generous. Just praying I get in.
Rule number one: Do NOT believe "people on here’!!!
The vast majority of people on here are kids-- kids just like yourself who don’t know any more than you do.
If you applied to only 2 schools, and you can’t afford one, then in your shoes I would be looking at affordable schools with rolling admissions and sending more apps out tonight.
I don’t know of any schools at this caliber that have late deadlines. Plus, I don’t have any letters of recs, so that crosses off a lot of schools…
I’m thinking of taking a semester off and applying to schools that offer spring admission.
Wait, it’s April 17. You have one acceptance to a school you can’t afford, and you’re only waiting for one other school.
The time for “caliber” was in October. Now it’s time for “education.”
If you do take a semester off, is there any reason to believe that your results will be different?
OP is a transfer.
I decided to apply to these schools in January, so no, I didn’t have since October.
And yes- I would have more options if I were to wait. I’d be able to get letters of recommendation since I’d be able to provide them ample notice.
Just declined their admissions offer.
Oh well. Thanks for your help everyone.
Good luck to you!
Where are you transferring FROM? @aznboi4981
Are you coming from a community college or another four year college?
Here’s the income to price tag chart for USC.
https://projects.propublica.org/colleges/schools/university-of-southern-california
I really like the Debt by Degrees website for finding colleges with generous financial aid
Hope you told them the reason for your declining the offer…
@thumper1 A small 4-year LAC in NJ.
@AroundHere Thanks for the source! USC would be much more feasible according to that website. That’s exactly where my parents and I agree I need to be at in terms of price.
@CU123 Hmmm, I just did it via the portal. Do I let them know my reason via email or? There was no text box to provide a reason.
Can you stay at the small LAC in NJ? Is it affordable?
I don’t understand why you think the award was incorrect. They gave you the highest merit award available, full federal grants (Pell and the $1000 SEOG), a big work study award, and the loan for your upper classman status.
If you thought you should have received more in grants (for need) from the school, you should have asked them for more.
@thumper1 I got a full scholarship to the school, but I am honestly miserable. I ended up having to go to a psychologist because my mental health has been so bad… It’s just… I need out. I cannot return there in the fall. Plus, the academics aren’t the best.
@twoinanddone “I don’t understand why you think the award was incorrect.” “If you thought you should have received more in grants (for need) from the school, you should have asked them for more.” You kind of answered that one yourself. I was expecting significant institutional grants.
Straight talk from Thumper. What makes you think any other colleges will make you happier?
But if you are not happy…so be it. Lots of kids transfer.
If you don’t get accepted to USC with sufficient aid, I would suggest taking a meaningful gap year. Not a semester…the whole year. Get a job, volunteer someplace. Figure out exactly what makes you happy and unhappy.
If you think your aid for fall as a transfer wasn’t so terrific…I can tell you mid year transfers seldom do better aid wise. PLUS, many courses are full year ones beginning fall term. You will be totally out of sequence entering in the spring term.
Look for places where you can afford the costs to attend. What about your instate publics? Are you low income? Does your state have any aid for low income students? Check and find out.
On a thread at the beginning of the year…you mention that your family can afford about $23,000 a year…or something like that…which you claim is the net price calculator net price for USC (except…the NPC is for incoming freshmen…not transfers).
You also mention you are from NJ.
Did you apply to transfer to any of the smaller publics in NJ…Rowan for example? Are they still taking transfer applications? Is there a four year public you could transfer too that is within commuting distance? I know you don’t want to live at home…but you are completing your second college year…it’s only two more years to finish that bachelors.
Think of your long term goal…getting a bachelors.