Early RD Admission - Reading the Tea Leaves

Applying to College
1

Kid got a letter today from the Head of the Admissions Office of T-20 School telling her she’s accepted (applied RD), though RD decisions won’t be out for another month. Is this just b/c her father and I are alumni? She is well qualified for the school. Does this bode well for scholarships? I just don’t know how to read it. (Obviously she got in–yeah—but it is expensive and scholarships are important.)

2

The same thing happened with me and Fordham. As my guidance counselor explained it, your daughter is so well qualified that the school wants to admit her early because they want to attract her. Basically, they think that letting her know that she’s accepted before she hears back from any of her other schools will make her more likely to pick theirs. It bodes very well for scholarships. Fordham admitted me a month before their official EA date and I got a half tuition scholarship. Best of luck to your daughter!

3
  1. Congratulations to your kid.
  2. It's because s/he **EARNED** that admission, not because of legacy status (although the early notification could easily be partially intended to keep two committed alums happy . . . not to mention, with open checkbooks and lifetime giving plans).
  3. Most top-twenty universities (there are a few exceptions) have little -- if any -- merit-based financial aid, with essentially all FA being need-based grants. In addition, the Admissions and the Financial Assistance organizations are generally -- and intentionally -- entirely separated. For these reason, early notification likely has absolutely no "scholarship implications" (your child's need-based grant (if any) will be entirely "family financial numbers" determined).
4

@qwerty568, Fordham is an interesting case. They are not need blind when it comes to determining “merit” awards. I know someone who received notification that he would be admitted one week after applying for EA. He was admitted but they asked for the FAFSA and then offered a small merit scholarship (the least of any school that did).

5

@emotup‌ Really? Because I did not apply for financial aid (I didn’t even file the FAFSA) and I still got my scholarship about two weeks ago.

6

Maybe things have changed? That was 2 years ago.