<p>I got a question.
Do many people get merit scholarships at Early Decision at Rice? </p>
<p>Since early decision is a "binding" admission,
the school does not have to grant many scholarships to attract more students, aren't they?</p>
<p>Bingo! I hesitate to say, but based on our limited experience the only ones who rec'd merit money from son's h/s school were those who did not apply ED. What is the incentive for them to offer up merit money since ED is binding? None, that I can see.
That said, applying ED has its own advantage over RD. I'd say Rice admissions looks at your application with a keener eye because they know you want to be there.
I would love to hear from someone who applied ED and was offered merit money.</p>
<p>I applied ED and got the Trustee scholarship. I personally know one of the people that work in the admissions office, and I asked her if Rice holds back money from ED students because of the incentive deal, and even though it makes sense to do so she told me Rice DOES NOT do this. This is straight from the mouth of an admissions officer. </p>
<p>That aside, merit aid is not easy to get and you shouldn't count on it since part of it is luck. I knew I'd get at least a somewhat decent financial aid offer based on my EFC though, and you CAN bail out of ED if you absolutely cannot afford it in the end, though (even though it's RARE, but read the contract and call the admissions office, you can ask them yourself about it).</p>