<p>I've heard tons of points/counterpoints regarding these issues, but I am eager to hear what some people who have already been through the process have to say.</p>
<p>I am really tempted to apply early to Dartmouth, but I am worried that I won't be able to compare financial aid. Plus I might be a NMSQT scholarship winner and I don't think these are accepted by Ivy League institutions (are they)?</p>
<p>Help me out by weighing the pros and cons of ED vs. Financial Aid Comparison. Does it depend on how much my parents make? And oh yeah, I'm an only child, which doesn't help me at all. Thanks!</p>
<p>If the financial aid calculators indicate that you are unlikely to receive aid at all (i.e., your Estimated Family Contribution is near or greater than the Cost of Attendance), then there will be no aid packages to compare. In that case, if your parents are willing to pony up the entire amount, there's no problem applying ED.</p>
<p>If you may qualify for aid, and you're willing to accept that this aid may be all in loans (no grants), again there's no problem applying ED.</p>
<p>If your parents are willing to pay for Dartmouth regardless of the amount of aid received, or whether it's all in loans, go for it.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you won't be able to afford Dartmouth without significant aid, or there may be too much in loans offered, don't apply ED.</p>
<p>I suggest using Dartmouth's FA calcuator. It is pretty much on point</p>
<p>next sit down ask your parents realistically how much they are willing to spend/borrow for your education. When they give you a number believe it. </p>
<p>If they tell you they are only willing to spend 15k per year and you run your numbers through the Dartmouth calculator (which will ask about your income and your assets) and it states that you can "afford" to pay full freight. Do not apply ed with the mind set that your family will come up with the money because Dartmouth is an Ivy.</p>