ED and the scholarship dilemma...

Paying for College
1

<p>Okay, so I have completed all my apps but I'm stuck on one thing. My favorite is Barnard. I really love it. Near Barnard on my list are Bryn Mawr and Mount Holyoke. See Barnard doesn't give merit scholarships but MoHo and BMC do. Financial matters are not an issue but the thing is if I DID get a merit scholarship at MoHo or BMC I would prefer it over Barnard.
Should I apply to Barnard early decision? It's so confusing! I can't decide if it's worth gambling my acceptance at Barnard for the chance at a merit scholarship at MoHo/BMC RD or play it safe, apply to Barnard ED and risk the fact that i might have gotten a merit scholarship else where. I guess I'm just wondering- what is your opinion? Do I have a shot at a merit scholarship? What should I do? Thanks...</p>

<p>Caucasian female
Top 10% of class
GPA 3.87 UW
GPA 4.56 W (out of 5)
SAT 2130
SAT Subjects: 720 Math 2, 680 US Hist., 700 Biology
12 APs with 4s and 5s in each</p>

<p>Founded a club to help kids in Nigeria
President of Math Team and on the A team
President of the Psychology club
President of political Discussion club
Teen teacher at my church plus Sunday School
Section leader (cellos) in Pit Orchestra
Participate in orchestra in school
Science Bowl Team
Irish Dance (on a rec. team and compete on occasion)
Chemathon competition
Private cello lessons</p>

<p>Volunteer at Friends of the Library and a pet shelter, 250+ volunteer hours</p>

<p>In the French and Science Honors Societies, honor roll, National Merit Semi- finalist, AP Scholar. Have won a couple science expo awards and a couple History Day awards</p>

<p>Will have very good reccs and decent essays</p>

2

<p>If you apply ED to Barnard and financial matters are not an issue then if you get in you are going, period. And you’ll have to pull your other apps. Does that fill you with joy? If not, then don’t apply ED. </p>

<p>Only 22 students got merit aid at Bryn Mawr last year. Only 64 at Mt Holyoke. I have no idea what your chances are of getting any yourself.</p>

3

<p>I don’t think that you should apply ED anywhere. You should apply RD so that you will have the opportunity to compare packages. My daughter was accepted to all 3 schools and the FA packages varied greatly (she received merit from both MHC and Bryn Mawr)</p>

4

<p>Let me make your decision even tougher. :slight_smile: There is definitely a real admissions advantage to applying to Barnard ED. But, I know two young women who were given merit money at Bryn Mawr in the last admissions cycle, and their stats were comparable to yours (I should note that one is a legacy). One is now a first year at Bryn Mawr; the other chose to go to another women’s college. Which is not to say that you are a lock for merit money at Bryn Mawr, of course.</p>

<p>Do get feedback from your high school counselor, to find out if students from your high school with similar stats have been admitted to Barnard ED and/or RD.</p>

<p>Good luck with your decision–these are all excellent places to end up for four years.</p>