My S is seeking guidance from me and I am not able to think objectively. He would love to get accepted at Uchig and is ready to do ED. However, he also understands our predicament that what if other colleges offer him some scholarships. Something tells me to go ED for UChig as it may increase his chances of acceptance over EA. I truly don’t want to risk his dream but at the same time can not ignore any financial help that may come from EA or RD. Am I overthinking this? What do you all think?
GPA is average for UCHIG, SAT really good. ECs are great too with multiple years in each EC.
It’s pretty simple. If UChicago is the first choice and affordability at the expected family contribution is not a concern, then do ED. Otherwise, do EA.
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You need to tell him it has to be EA if you are concerned about the finances. And you are concerned if you are asking the question. Can you afford what the NPC for UChicago is telling you? How long will it take to pay off any loans? He will survive this tough conversation and you will, too.
Based on what you posted, it will be so much better for all of you to be able to look at all of the options and consider the educational experience and the financial realities.
Having the time to compare merit and need based combos and what works for your finances is important. And being able to retire someday without still having student loans to pay would be great, too.
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My kids were not allowed for ED for the reason you say. One goes to Bama for $3k a year tuition. One goes to College of Charleston OOS for free.
My son loved WUSTL. We are full pay. But I was not willing to pay $80k a year.
If you seek merit, there are ways to easily find it.
If the NPC shows a number you like, do it again. Make sure you answered the questions correctly. You don’t want to be stuck.
It’s a personal choice but based on the tone of your email I would not ED.
In the end, letting your kid go to where they choose is fine, but not at the expense of your comfort, ability to live and finance your life and keep stress levels low.
One thing to note…college costs more than they tell you. Travel. Medical bills. Social outings etc. it adds up.
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Is UChicago affordable per their Net Price Calculator? Their fin aid package is unlikely to be different between ED and EA.
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You may actually want to wait for RD to apply. Some of the schools that have EA and ED2 will contact some EA applicants to see if they want to switch to ED2. Then what are you going to do?
@meetag you need to decide/check if you’re full pay or not, did you run the NPC?
UChicago is going away from merit aid, so I doubt that there is much out there. The total cost for my DD to attend UChicago for 4 years was $90K due to outside scholarships. Still, don’t apply ED if you can’t or don’t want to pay. No doubt that applying ED is a boost compared to EA/RD.
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Our son is a first year there and the final cost was 2k less than the NPC calculator (he was awarded national merit scholarship) so if the NPC is what you are willing to pay, then do ED. If it isn’t, then do EA.
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Thank you all for your replies. Very helpful in the process. I have another question in terms of Ed vs EA. We have been able to secure a college visit to UChig for next week. However, deadline being Nov 1st. Do you see any negative effect of applying EA and converting to ED after the visit? UChig gives Nov 15th as deadline to change decision. Thank you all in this ordeal.
Nope. That’s smart. Ed is Ed. They’re not going to hold against you that you changed.
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