<p>Will applying early decision (and being admitted) lower chances of receiving non-need based aid? I am hoping to get scholarships but won't find out about them until late spring, when regular decision applicants are notified.
So, if I am accepted early, do you think the college (specifically BU) will be less likely to award me such scholarships (since they won't need to lure me to their school) ?</p>
<p>Since you’ll be needing FA, what happens if you get accepted and BU’s offer isn’t enough? Prime example of a reason not to use BU’s ED option. If you were my kid, I wouldn’t let you ED anywhere.</p>
<p>T26E4, that’s a good point…early decision can hurt you if you get a crap financial package. Long term, it could seriously weigh you down with debt/anxiety long before the bills are even due. That’s definitely something all ED applicants should keep in mind (I’m still debating it for this reason).</p>
<p>However, kalieee6, there is a loophole (somewhat)…some colleges, not all, but some will allow you to apply ED with the understanding that if the college can not meet all of your financial need (a.k.a. you just can’t afford it) you can back out of the contract and move on to the next college. Again, not all of them will (I have know idea about BU, I know Bucknell has this policy simply b/c I’m looking into them), but it can’t hurt to call the financial aid or admissions office to check.</p>
<p>As to your scholarship (non-need) potential, the scenario you pointed out most definitely has serious weight to it…but by the same token, in my mind at least, it might even better your chances. Here’s why:</p>
<p>1) You’re showing definite interest in the school, so much so that you are willing to forgo all other schools in deferment to BU.
2) That willingness to attend BU proves that you will likely remain there all four or so years of your education, thus making you a safer bet in terms of academic reliability.
3) While yes, they won’t have to recruit or lure you if you apply ED, at the same time, if they do have to lure you in with scholarship offers, the question arises…are you really worth the college’s time and effort in the first place, especially when there are so many willing applicants (such as yourself)?</p>
<p>I’m no college admissions expert, and I’m sure as hell not a financial aid officer, but logically these seem to make sense to me. In any event, I wish you luck in your choice!</p>
<p>BU requires the Common Application. The common app ED rules include this:
<a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/ED_Agreement.pdf[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/ED_Agreement.pdf</a></p>
<p>If you doubt it, ask BU what their policy is if they don’t release you when the FA is insufficient; is the student expelled when the bill can’t be paid?</p>