<p>Hi! So the title pretty much says it all. Both are a reach, so I'm thinking I'm going to apply to one binding to increase my chances of getting in. I've visited both and love both campuses. I want to major in journalism/communications. Emory does not have those programs, but that's not a huge concern to me as I am interested in other majors. I like both the campuses/cities, although Emory's location appealed to me more. The size of Emory is also more appealing to me, but I do like richmond's d1 sports, as well as the fact that I felt slightly more comfortable on Richmond's campus than Emory's</p>
<p>Also, finances are a concern, so which one would give me more aid is a large factor </p>
<p>If you do not have a clear first choice, I would not do ED at all. However, richmond has wonderful financial and especially merit aid.</p>
<p>I agree if you are not sure of a first choice and finances are a concern, you should not be doing ED. If the schools are a reach as stated, you would not likely get offered much, if any, merit aid. </p>
<p>Richmond does meet full need if admitted (as determined by them, they use the CSS profile and results may not match the EFC determined by FAFSA). Financial aid package will include $5500 in loans, and possibly work study, which, would need to considered as part of your EFC.</p>
<p>Have you run the NPC s for both schools? Is that number affordable for your family? If the answer is no, you should probably not be considering ED. Have you discussed the pros and cons with your guidance counselor?</p>
<p>If you need significant merit aid, you should be focusing on schools where your stats put you in top 10% or even 5% of applicants.</p>
<p>Sorry, in earlier post, I meant to say that the $5500 federal loan and any work study would be obligations to the student on top of the school-calculated EFC. Many families new to the world of financial aid don’t realize this and think that the federal loan$ can be used to offset the EFC. </p>