Dilemma!!!! PLEASE HELP!!!!

Applying to College
1

<p>I have applied ED to a school, but now my parents want me to switch my application status to RD because they are feeling as if the binding agreement is going to be a disadvantage when it comes down to the money. I see their point, but i know if i switch to regular, It will be very hard to get in. I have analyzed the situation and from what i see, i will get the same financial aid regardless if i apply ED or RD because it is based on what my parents make and that wont change with either decision. The school says that ALL applicants are considered for merit scholarships so switching from ED to RD wont change that either. However, the coach at the school is recruiting me but wont offer me any money as of now because he has other recruits in front of me waiting to make a commitment. This is where my confusion comes. If i don't get into his top list of recruits (meaning the girls in front of me commit to the school) i will not get any atheltic scholarships. However, if i do get into his top list, I will be offered money, but i have no idea how much. I'm sure it won't be a lot but it is still some money. If i get accepted ED and agree with the package they offer, then this means i will attend the school no matter what and the coach won't have to offer any money because i am already in the school. If i switch to regular, the chances of me getting in decrease and it will all depend on the athletic recruitment (or not). What should i do????? Any advice!???? I have until Nov. 15th to change my app status.</p>

<p>Sorry for the length and i thank everyone in advance!!!!!!!! PLEASE HELP!!!!!</p>

2

<p>anyone????</p>

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<p>Follow your parents' advice. Switching to RD also means you can compare offers. Money s important.</p>

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<p>What school is this? If it's ivy league ED only increases your admission chances slightly but at the risk of financial aid troubles. RD is probably the smartest choice, if you were going to get in with ED you should still get in with RD unless RD applicants are a lot stronger (and vice versa...)</p>

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<p>I'd switch to RD. Financially you'll have more options that way, and in these times that is a very good thing. No school is so wonderful that it's worth putting a huge financial burden on yourself or your parents.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the advice...
But i just really want to go to this school (hence why applied ED). It has been my dream since i was in middle school and i don't want to ruin my chances by switching to regular. I know it will have to come down to the money..but i just feel heartbroken!!!!!!
I know if i switch i can compare financial aid packages from other schools, but frankly i don't know where else to apply??????!!!!!...I've applied to my state school, but i don't really want to go there.......</p>

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<p>You need to broaden your dream. There isn't just one school that's right for anyone. The U.S. has thousands of colleges. Surely there are others where you would be happy.</p>

<p>Older S had long dreamed of going to Mich. It didn't give him any money. Minnesota did. He loved Minnesota.</p>

<p>Virtually no one gets exactly what they dream of in life: a house, a car, a mate, a college, jobs, etc. Most people, though, are happy with what they get. Happiness is a choice.</p>

<p>Far better to open your mind now and apply to more options than to find yourself unable to afford to go to dream school and then to have no other options come the spring.</p>

<p>If you say what school you're considering, people here probably can help you find doable alternatives.</p>

<p>If you check the archives, you'll find that many students have to turn down their dream schools, and end up being very happy at the schools they had to go to for money reasons. </p>

<p>One example is Evil Robot, who a couple of years ago, turned down an Ivy (perhaps Yale) to go to Vanderbilt, which gave him a full ride. He has posted several times since about how fulfilling his Vandy experience was, and he assures students who make similar decisions for monetary reasons that even though they give up their dream schools, they still can have a dream of a college experience.</p>

<p>I'm surprised that your parents aren't making you switch to RD. If they aren't sure that they can afford ED, then it could be setting you up for grave disappointment if you get in, don't get the aid you need, and then have to reject the college, leaving you with no alternatives.</p>

<p>I'm also curious about what you've been doing and are willing to do to help foot the bill for dream school. Are you applying for scholarships, working a job, cutting back on expenses, planning on taking out loans?</p>

8

<p>^ Very good post.</p>

<p>It's a shame that cost has to be a decision in attending one's dream school.</p>