<p>Well, now that ED stress is almost finished for the crowd that could apply ED, it is now the season for the parents of kids who could not apply ED to take over the mantle of "most stressed". A number of schools who offer significant merit awards (my personal definition is half tuition or more) have application deadlines that passed between 11/1 and 12/10. Many more will close 1/1. Many EA application decisions have been made. Merit Aid decisions are imminent. Some have been made and mailed. Some have been hinted at (mentioned, promised?) by adcoms eager to keep a high stat applicant's interest high. </p>
<p>That group is further divided into two categories-those that award merit without scholarship weekends and those that award their most significant scholarships only after attendance at the scholarship weekends held in February or March. Between now and February 1st, most merit hopefuls will find that their list of potential college choices will decrease substantially based on the scholarships received and the schools at which they've received smaller (but sometimes still significant) awards AND been invited to compete for the larger awards. Some will find that they have to forego hopes/dreams of top fifty or even top 100 Uni's or Lac's. Some will be relegated to their state school safeties that they did not find appealing for whatever reason. </p>
<p>We have watched as you parents of ED'ers have managed your stress over whether your child would be able to attend their hope and dream schools whose acceptance rates are between 9 and 50% while our well credentialed kids walked in virtually un-opposed at schools with acceptance rates usually much higher. You will now get the chance to watch us twist on the spit as we are barbequed by merit award rates sometimes as low as 1% (some even lower for the largest awards). </p>
<p>The purpose of this post is not to say our stress is greater than that you just went through. It is only to say that as we applauded your decisons as they came in when your kids found out that they could attend their hope/dream schools , please don't think it boorish or declasse' or bourgeois of us when we celebrate scholarships our children received that make it possible for them to attend their strata of dream schools. In a perfect world , this tiered process wouldn't exist. In our world it does. </p>
<p>There have been several threads that have as their basis an argument between attendance at top ten need-only school A and lesser ranked but still high quality school B that offers merit aid. For some families in a particular income band that is not usually a consideration as their kid didn't apply to school A. School B becomes the pinnacle . The tip-top they can aspire to if the wind is blowing out and they get all the ball. It is their home-run.</p>
<p>I hope that y'all understand that the relief or anguish we feel after our gauntlet is run is equivalent in level to the relief or anguish you felt after the ED round was over.</p>
<p>Wish us luck. We are about to enter the tackle the mailman stage of the process for our first time. Thanks for reading this far. ;)</p>
<p>I am looking forward to great things from your DD in the way of $$$$, and can't wait to get the news. I know I was on pins and needles at this time last year, not only about merit money but about financial aid in general. This year, it will be admissions, financial aid and merit money in that order, but I am with you in spirit.</p>
<p>Good luck, Curmdgeon. We played the merit game last year, along with the EA game and the dream-school game. I'm not sure which was more stressful, waiting for the EA decision in December, waiting for the waitlist decision to dream school in June, deciding between two match school acceptances (one of which cost nearly double the other) or turning down $80,000 in merit scholarship to a dang good safety school. Sigh. Crossing my fingers for you that whatever choices you and D and family make, they will result in much happiness and peace of mind, at least after the fact. It does all seem to work itself out, just not without a lot of pacing and restless nights.</p>
<p>We should all be reminded of Evil Robot who gave up his long-time dream school, Yale, to attend a so-called 'lower tier' school, Vandy, on a full ride. He is as engaged and happy as could be. I have no doubt he is more involved at Vandy with research and other opportunities than he might have been at Y, at least as an underclassman.</p>
<p>IMO, 'fit' includes financial considerations as well, so the best school for anyone's kid is where they will thrive, be happy, and not break the bank. In many ways, playing the FinAid card, means a much wider net, and as much lotto luck as throwing in apps to HYPSM et al. </p>
<p>I, too, am rooting for 'mudgette to pull a 'slam dunk'.</p>
<p>We are all on the edges of our chairs waiting for this news, and there are thousands of crossed fingers around the country. XO; Let us know as soon as you know!!!</p>
<p>Please excuse my ignorance. We did not enter the Merit Money ($$$) Sweepstakes.</p>
<p>If you get merit money, do you then still try applying RD to a reach need-blind school if for example that reach school has a certain program you can't get at the schools that offer merit money?</p>
<p>Or are you precluded from doing so? When do you have to inform the merit money schools that you will accept? </p>
<p>And yes, we are all wishing your D the outcome that is best for her and for your family. Fingers crossed and all.</p>
<p>First, I really wish you and your daughter well. This whole year can be pretty stressful whether it's money or admissions or just trying to make the right choice. </p>
<p>Yes, I do understand that merit aid can make or break an acceptance Like momof2inca, our family has a foot in both camps. Son applied early action to Chicago and got accepted (Yeah!). But he also has applications in at other schools where merit money is much more likely. (At Chicago, it's virtually impossible unless you walk on water.)</p>
<p>We are lucky to have a choice and will very likely bite the bullet and go with "dream school". We can do it, but it will make a definite difference in a lot of things, including how we live and what money is available for our younger daughter. We are "older" parents so that is also a factor.</p>
<p>I wouldn't say we're on the spit as you are, but the tip of our toes is at the edge of the firepit and toasting ever so slightly.</p>
<p>I've seen the range of acceptances your daughter has. I think you've done all the right things to come up big with the support you'll need. But these decisions just aren't easy. It's one thing to see your kid let down because someone else rejects them. It's something else to have to say "no" yourself. In the long run, I believe it all works out as long as you've carefully planned. Sometimes the "dream" school isn't all the "dream" it's cracked up to be. But when you are 17 or 18, it can be hard to see that.</p>
<p>Having been a family hoping for the merit money last year, we are right with you. My son's offer a of scholarship didn't come until April 12! It was truly the longest, most stressful winter of our lives. The good news is that it did all work out as MOM said above, but wow, what a ride! My positive thoughts and best wishes are with all of you in this position. My best advice...make plans if you can for a fun spring break trip..it gives you something else to focus on..</p>
<p>Curmudgeon, you know I'm keeping my fingers crossed for y'all and I do expect mudgarella will have good options to choose from in April. I'm still kind of hoping that our daughters will cross paths somewhere!</p>
<p>Alum Mom - Depends on your S/D, but to be honest, once you have secured a scholarship offer, when used delicately, it can be something of a bargaining chip to reach school (not to get in but when negotiating costs). So, if the reach school also happens to be a dream school, by all means, apply! Most schools donot expect you to accept scholarship offers until you've accepted a spot in their school. Once you've been accepted &/or offered monies, you're back in the driver's seat!!! GL to all! </p>
<p>PS Last year, I was in a great deal of angst as my son rec'd an amazing full + scholarship to a very good school (top 25) but chose Yale w/ no help. Pretty scarry!!!!! But the truth is, I have honestly never seen my son so happy & engaged & content.... you never know!</p>
<p>This year we're just hoping D ends up w/ some good choices! I have that hope for all these young people!</p>
<p>cur - yes.........my fingers will definitely be crossed for your d. I am wishing your d and you ..........good luck ...........and good luck to all the other d's/s's and families who are hoping for the same good, no great, merit aid awards. </p>
<p>alumother - that is a good question. deadlines are fast approaching. it's now or never in some cases.</p>
<p>I am here to support all of you, celebrate with you and share any disappointment which might come. You are my cyber-family and I can't wait to hear about all the great merit awards and I hope they match up with the best schools for each of your wonderful students.<br>
Cur- thanks for reminding us about what you and many others are facing. I am not as familiar with the awards and issues as I am with the ED/RD gambit, so I appreciate the education. BRING ON THE $$$$$$$$$$</p>
<p>Re: your post six, unless the school informs you otherwise, it's money that stays on the table until May 1. You can inform the merit schools up until then.</p>
<p>As one who played the ED reach, rather than merit game, I will be sitting on the sidelines rooting for you guys. Even though we're done, I still look forward to logging on to CC every morning and celebrating with all the familiar and unfamiliar names. I can't wait to read about the fantastic scholarships mudgette and the other CC kids will be offered.</p>
<p>I can immagine the stress level to be high. Another reason why we only did RD last year - and after carefully choosing schools to apply to, ended up with a very good situation regarding both acceptances and merit money. This way, at or before acceptance time we knew the exact composition of the entire package. No need to worry if the school was afordable or not. Also put schools in a position where they were likely to be more competetive when it came to merit awards. At least it worked for us - reduced stress and ended up with several very good choices at top 20 schools.</p>
<p>Cur, by the time all is said and done, I am sure your only problem will be choosing amongst the many offers. Of course, being biased, you know which way I would like to see you choose.</p>
<p>Gosh , I sure hope all you optimistic people are right. LOL. Always darkest before the dawn, right? </p>
<p>I really posted not as much for us but for the many, many folk who are with us , lurkers and posters alike. I want them to feel comfortable posting the successes of their children without feeling pangs of conscience or feeling that the mention of a scholarship was some inappropriate or discorteous display of vanity. I know that all that the majority of the merit group would be saying is "Look at this . My kid can go here with this scholarship plus everything I can scrape together. WooHoo."</p>
<p>As usual, I am impressed with the CC group. Y'all have been paying attention, haven't you? Thanks for that. I know more about ED than I ever thought I would, too.</p>
<p>Relax and enjoy the goodwill you have engendered here on the forum. At least just for the brief period you spend reading this thread vs. focusing on the merit $$ of course:).</p>