<p>okay so I have a question that has probably been answered on the site countless time. rather than search for those answers, though, im going to ask it again.
I am going to need some big financial aid...niether of my parents have full time jobs as of two years now. so i qualify for need based aid.
so, on the common app, naturally im selecting "yes" when it asks if i will need aid.
is this going to hurt my chances? my list is something like
state school
lehigh
maryland
BU
UVA
Tufts
Cornell
Hopkins
Northwestern
UPenn
Dartmouth
so a) do schools in general discriminate against applicants who select "yes" for need on the common app and b) does anyone know anything more specific about the aforementioned schools?
i hear some people lie and check no to increase their chances...but i feel like thats a bad idea.
please help! i need some opinions! and facts!</p>
<p>please dont let this go unnoticed! i need some advice</p>
<p>It should have no substantial pull one way or the other (except for the occasional school that recruits low income students). It’s best to be honest about it, especially if you need a lot.</p>
<p>Several of those schools (the entire Ivy League I know for sure) are need-blind. This means they do not see if you need financial aid in the admissions decision. So it will not matter. I warn you however the BU has a terrible reputation for financial aid.</p>
<p>You should do some searches on this site. A lot of good information out there – but you have to read through it because there are a variety of views on these types of questions. You might search “need-blind colleges and universities.” My sense is that financial need will not necessarily hurt you in admissions the way a low SAT score would, but some schools, especially private ones, do look for a certain number of students who pay the full tuition. I don’t think you should anticipate how universities will handle this – apply to your reaches, matches, and safeties (2-3 each) and see how it all comes out. If you have a lot of need, make sure your safeties include a good state school option.</p>
<p>Just a comment on BU having horrible financial aid: it’s true. I got some of their recruiting stuff in the mail the other day and need substantial financial aid myself. Basically, they offer mostly merit-based scholarships, which are like, getting >2000 on SAT or >30 on the ACT, or something along those lines, and that’s offered to all students. Seems like they cover about 20k using those methods, then expect the student and family to cover everything else with loans and work-study, on top of the family’s EFC.</p>
<p>thanks guys…i appreciate the feedback. BU is one of my safeties…but i did like it a lot. so i guess we’ll see.</p>
<p>Bottom line is this: Even if you do use “don’t need financial aid” to your advantage, and you get in, you’re not going to be able to afford it anyway - which kind of defeats the purpose in getting in.</p>
<p>@Nikkkor50mm, there are exceptions.</p>
<p>For example, as an international student, applying for financial aid affects my admission chances at most colleges. I need the aid, but it is possible for me to get financial assistance from other sources. </p>
<p>So, for colleges that are not need blind for internationals, I’d rather not apply for aid, get in, and look for other ways to pay for it.</p>
<p>@impetuous: As international student I am apply for financial aid either.I need a need blind one.I will apply for financial aid to all universities that I chose if they offer need blind or not.But impetuous u can search for private loans or scholarships for paying college.</p>