Decisions are up.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Smith College
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<p>What many don't understand is that the financial aid awards are worked out independently of admissions...FinAid doesn't know who's being admitted and can't wait, so they process each file and come up with a tentative financial aid package.</p>

<p>I'm sorry, Elisa. Better luck with your other choices.</p>

62

<p>Thanks TD...now I know the reason. Somehow I knew you'd clarify it for me. Elisa, I also, am sorry about the decision. I wish you the best with your other choices.</p>

63

<p>I'm sorry, Elisa. Better luck with your other choices.

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</p>

<p>I'm so sorry also. It took a great deal of courage and fortitude to want to return to college after a few years hiatus. Call admissions and ask if there is any possibly you can start next Jan. It’s a long shot, but b/c of attrition there are always a few less students, so possibly they can find room for you.</p>

<p>Holyoke has the same program. Have you talked to their admission dept?</p>

64

<p>{{...FinAid doesn't know who's being admitted and can't wait, so they process each file and come up with a tentative financial aid package.}}</p>

<p>I’m a little weak in my knowledge of the process regarding financial aid and the students secure website at Smith. Are you saying they post awards even though they have no idea if the student is going to be accepted or not?</p>

65

<p>
[QUOTE=elisa]
and after all....smith rejected me :( how could they do this}}</p>

<p>Elisa, I see Holyoke rejected you also. You stated they did so because they didn't have all your materials. Are you <em>sure</em> Smith received everything it needed to make a decision? Is it possible something went wrong and your school or GC didn’t send all the appropriate recs or transcripts? I’m trying to help.</p>

66

<p>Thank you BJM8,The Dad and roadlesstraveled for your kind words!</p>

<p>A friend called Smith on my behalf and they said they accepted me first and that's why the award was there on my account but on a later review decided to reject me and FORGOT or something that I still have the award on my account.I had the 38k award on my account even yesterday when I got the rejection email... Why they don't do these things internally?? Could have saved me from lots lots of pain :(
I emailed Moho and they rejected me because I don't have some college credit compared to other mature students..and they gave priority to them ..oh well..
Anyways I will got to a Canadian College and apply next yr at other usa colleges with better stats.
Good luck to all your Ds and thank u again for everything :)</p>

67

<p>{{Why they don't do these things internally?? Could have saved me from lots lots of pain}}</p>

<p>I’m in total agreement with you. There really isn’t an excuse for the error but I know what happened. Smith is using all extra available funds for aid and scholarships. They need more staff so issues like this never happen again, however, the funds haven’t been allocated to do so because they (the administration) feel aid has a much higher priority in the budget than IT or extra financial aid/admission staff.</p>

68

<p>
[quote]
Smith is using all extra available funds for aid and scholarships. They need more staff so issues like this never happen again, however, the funds haven’t been allocated to do so because they (the administration) feel aid has a much higher priority in the budget than IT or extra financial aid/admission staff.

[/quote]

Unacceptable. I know you agree RLT, this is just not right. If that were my daughter I'd be fuming. Smith must find a way of avoiding this same situation in the future, and if it means hiring more staff, then so be it. For Elisa to get an award package and then be denied admission is incomprehensible to me. They must get their act together on that one!</p>

69

<p>The answer to the problem is actually fairly simple: don't let the awards--or the Housing form--go "live" on Bannerweb until the flag for Admissions = yes is set, preferably when admissions decisions are actually released. Doesn't require money for staff, just a more thoughtful procedure. </p>

<p>If the FinAid decision is there but invisible to the student until admissions are announced, no problem.</p>

70

<p>Agreed TD...If it is that simple, could you call Smith and let them know. No one should have to go through what Elisa did, that was just not fair.</p>

71

<p>What many don't understand is that the financial aid awards are worked out independently of admissions}}</p>

<p>Not the STRIDE or the other merit scholarships. They are decided by admissions and the financial aid office considers the award with regard to the total aid package after the decision has been made by the admission officers.</p>