<p>So I've got everything together for my application and since Smith is my top choice I really want to apply for winter early decision (i'm so stressed)</p>
<p>However my parents refuse to agree until they hear back from the financial aid department about the binding qualifications. My brother went to school at Colorado State without taking any loans and they are threatening to hold me to the same standard. </p>
<p>Needless to say I'm terrified
I can only estimate
but I know my mother made over 20,000 this year (because of a one year grant unfortunately)
I made about 4k and my dad was probably somewhere close to that as well
we will just have finished paying off our home (a small standard 4 bedroom suburban)
I doubt we've got anything that qualifies as assets/savings
My mom has been going to community college and will transfer to CSU next year (SHE got lots of aid)
They're also 62 and 56 and a large portion of our expenses go to small but cumulative medical expenses and health insurance (probably 800 a month or more)</p>
<p>Essentially 22% loans, even unsubsidized = not an option
Is this a good enough reason to get out of ED agreement if necessary?
Will my application be submitted into RD if I do?
I'm sure I'll be able to convince them to take out loans, and I'm willing to do whatever necessary job wise to be able to go but if that falls short....</p>
<p>My stats are on the lower side of decent
SAT 2000
GPA 3.7uw (ranks sucks cause we only get .002 extra)
one college class for next semester
A's in 5 ap class semesters
4 on comp test and 5 on psych (studio art to come)
2 honors with b's in sophomore year...
I also have a great note explaining how my health was impacted my grades and course rigger but also prepared me for future adversity (I'd like some private input)
Good Ec's + 20hrs of work a week</p>
<p>I'm also putting together a excellent special talent form for art with a stellar teacher recommendation (I expect that the other two are at the same level) +strong essay and supplement</p>
<p>I NEED to get into this school.....but am I being oblivious to risk?</p>
<p>other schools I'm applying to are in the same category with 100% aid
Pitzer Occidental Mount Holyoke Lewis and Clark ...and CSU:[</p>
<p>figured I'd give this a try on the whole site</p>
<p>Yes, you are being oblivious to risk. Since finances are very important, it would be far better for you to apply regular to a variety of schools (including your first choice) and then make your decision based on financial considerations. This also will give you a chance to ask your top choices to match any better financial aid offers from other colleges. This could include matching offers from colleges that give great aid without loans.</p>
<p>Most students have financial considerations when they select their colleges to apply to and accept, yet most students end up happy at the colleges that they end up attending. Wonderful as Smith is, there probably are many other colleges where you could be happy and fulfilled, so don't confine yourself now by applying ED.</p>
<p>Your parents are being very responsible. They do not want you to be unable to attend college because you do not have the financial resources to do so at your top choice school (without sufficient aid). THAT is being responsible. I agree with them. ED decisions are binding and when a student applies, they agree to attend KNOWING that the school will determine their financial aid and the student and family will be responsible for the remainder. Yes, students can get out of ED acceptances, but the circumstances must be verifiable. For example...if a student's financial situation changes dramatically AND the school cannot increase their aid, that is a reason for backing out on an ED decision. BUT getting a finaid package and saying "gee, this isn't enough for our family" is NOT a reason for backing out of an ED contract (yes, you sign a contract when you apply ED saying that you agree to attend if accepted and will withdraw all other applications and acceptances). And most notably...your family does have one huge asset...your home. And Smith does use home equity. Are you saying that your total family income is $28K ($20K for mom, and $4k each for you and your dad?)? I just want to make sure I have that correct. You should run your numbers through an EFC calculator (someone else here can guide you to that link) for institutional methodology as I believe Smith does use the Profile and IM for awarding finaid. </p>
<p>Do you think you won't get accepted RD?? The edge applying ED isn't all that great.</p>
<p>Yeah this is what I've been hearing elsewhere. So frustrating since so many tops schools are dropping ED because of finances....
Yes probably around 28K if you add my contribution
And yes I'm concerned.... might just be stress but my grades are lower than I'd like and also my class loads been limited by the health stuff. I wish there was some place to compare numbers with that. My old school shorted you 10 credits a year anyway and I haven't had a full schedule since 9th grade (got by with taking a lot of classes during the summer)
Is 282.5 credits bad?
thats 5 credits per semester class</p>
<p>With your income and assets and your mother also in college, you would get quite a lot of financial aid from full need schools. Your stats look to be strong enough for Smith and a number of other full need schools. But I think you should apply to a variety of these schools and then you'll be able to compare financial aid offers. And make sure the rest of your application - essay and recommendations are strong. Smith offers alumni interviews; make sure you get one scheduled and then you can tell your interviewer how much you want to go there.</p>
<p>If you don't want any loans at all, you could look around for local and other scholarships and you could work a lot during school break. However, relatively small loans are not impossible to deal with after graduation.</p>
<p>dunno about smith, but, of the few colleges where I've seen data, EDII doesn't seem to have much advantage over RD, so don't worry.</p>
<p>well thats reassuring:]</p>