Bowdoin is my top choice school, and my EFC there is 32k. At Vassar and Yale, my EFC is 24k and 22k, respectively.
I have already spoken to one of Bowdoin’s Financial Aid Deans about my FA package, and though I didn’t try to pry money out of her, I asked about the methodology for determining aid and inquired if there’s any way my EFC could be lowered. The only thing I didn’t talk to her about is FA packages from other schools because I thought (past tense) that it would be impolite to do so. HOWEVER, now that I’m trying to make my decision, it would be a disservice to my parents to ignore the differences between EFCs.
The FA Dean I spoke with was very kind and expressed that she wished she could help me out, but that everything was pretty final at this point. With that comment in mind, would it be worth it to call Bowdoin again and attempt to use my other FA packages to my advantage? And if I do, would it help out if I tell her that I intend on enrolling but don’t want to pass up better financial opportunities?
Help me out here!! I love Bowdoin but I would feel awful if I put an additional 8-10k burden on my parents.
PS I wouldn’t be so concerned about this if Bowdoin wasn’t committed to meeting 100% of the need they calculate. I find it odd that I’m getting offers that are 10k less than Bowdoin, especially from Vassar
These three colleges…well…the depth of their financial pockets varies. Yale has a lot more money, and deeper pockets…and awards need based aid to higher income families than most colleges.
You can call Bowdoin and tell them they are your top choice but that your net costs at Vassar and Yale are $10,000 less. Maybe they will give you some additional money…and maybe not.
But here is your issue…if Bowdoin increases your need based aid for freshman year…there is no guarantee they will do so in subsequent years.
Thank you for your response! I had considered that Bowdoin might not change the aid in subsequent years, but forgot to put it in my original post.
As for your question, that is a valid thing to ask. Yale would ordinarily be the top choice school from my list, but I like Bowdoin more than Yale, especially considering Bowdoin is much smaller. I know all of these institutions wield incredible amounts of power, but Bowdoin seems the least corrupt (even if their financial aid isn’t as great…). And I’m not too worried about networking/alumni opportunities because the NESCACs provide similar opportunities.
No. At least not yet…those release tomorrow. I was referring to RD acceptances at other highly selective LACs and T20s. Bowdoin was more generous than those other schools.
@strawberry04 to know your Yale award, you must have applied SCEA…is that correct? So have you had a change of heart regarding attending Yale? I know SCEA isn’t binding, but…
I applied ED to Bowdoin, so no, I didn’t apply to Yale SCEA. But I received a LL and confirmed FA with the financial aid team. I kept all of the calculator estimations, and they told me that they calculated the same amount as the estimator (within a few hundred dollars)
Did you run Bowdoin’s net price calculator? If so, is there FA offer in the ballpark?
I would talk with them one more time, and even show them the Yale offer (not sure they will care though). But, that might help identify why their offer is higher, for example, maybe they hit home equity harder than Yale (not sure if home equity is even a part of Yale’s calculation).
I’m sure someone already said this, but Bowdoin should know about your other offers. Those schools are comparable or better. This is not the time to be modest.