<p>I'm starting to get extremely anxious for being able to call a school home. I get so frustrated when people ask me where I'm going to college next year, and I can't give them a straight answer. I'm basically down to two schools now: the University of Michigan (accepted) and Northwestern (my preferred choice). Plus, I really want to know where I'll be in about half of a year from now. </p>
<p>I really have no idea what the decision will be in March, and it's killing me. I know that I'd be happy at either of them. However, I can't accept Michigan's offer until I know what Northwestern says. I'd be living with a guilty conscience if I did not wait for the decision at least (even if I don't end up going there in the end). </p>
<p>Anybody else feeling the same way (or felt the same way when they did this)?</p>
<p>Actually, I really wanted to go ED in the first place. However, the price tag on Northwestern was only only thing that scared me away from it. I've been working on my parents for a long time now (they're really sick of me talking about it), and I think they'll let me go if I get accepted. However, they stated that if I go, I'll have to take out loans, and I'm pretty terrified of the loans that I'll probably face.</p>
<p>They DO meet 100% of your need (they're not lying) while you're there. However, that need can be paid back through loans after you leace campus. It most likely will not all be in the form of grants, etc. that you don't have to pay back to them. Trust me, even though they're a really rich university, I'm sure they don't have $40,000 to give to every student that attends every year that they're there.</p>
<p>Not necessarily. If you love Northwestern (in other words, it's your #1 choice - easy) and you feel all right with whatever financial aid package they make for you, go ED. At least that way you won't have to go through three more months of torture since you'll know your decision before Christmas. Plus, they'll be comparing you to a smaller portion of the overall applicant pool this way.</p>
<p>However, if you're not sure what school you'll be the happiest at or are scared of the cost (like me), go RD. This way you'll be able to have more time to compare schools and the financial aid packages they give you.</p>
<p>I e-mailed someone in the admissions office a few days ago and asked him HOW the students at Northwestern come up with the money to satisfy the loans that they owe in the end (such as how they find a good job that can handle the debt, how work study works, etc. - a pretty general question that can apply to many schools). I know that he won't get back with me until at least Monday (if not, later) or might not get back with me at all this time (saying I'm sure that they've already started reviewing some the the RD applicants - very scary). However, I hope that he does because I'm kind of interested in what his answer will be.</p>
<p>I did ED2 for Washington in St. Louis, should I switch it RD before the January 1st deadline? Would that hurt my chances if I switch (would they get mad for switching)?</p>
<p>Are you talking about Northwestern or Washington? If you're talking about Washington, I can't really help you since I didn't apply there nor have I done research into that university. I originally thought you were talking about Northwestern (sorry). I really don't know the rules of ED2, etc. since none of the schools that I applied to dealt with that stuff (only ED/RD or rolling admissions).</p>
<p>Maybe some of the students currently at NU can answer this (if they dealt with this when they applied) or Sam Lee (you seem like you really know what you're talking about on this board).</p>
<p>jus look at is as a ED, and even put it in Northwestern context, say you change your mind a week before the actual deadline for ED, are you allowed switch?</p>
<p>Vinzy, I am not rich yet I do receive financial aid. It's just that 20% of Northwestern students come from families who make a gross income more than $250,000. Less than 3% of Northwestern students come from families with a gross income less than $50,000. So you can imagine who receives aid and who does not. International students (currently) do not receive any form of financial aid.</p>
<p>Oh my gosh, I feel the same way. For me its between Northwestern or NYU (which I wont find out until March or April) and Penn State (accepted). It's killing me. I keep second guessing myself- should I have edited my essay ONE more time? Put in a couple more hours studying for the SAT's?? I'll be happy when I at least know one way or the other....</p>
<p>I have some clearing up to make. The person that I e-mailed in the admissions office e-mailed me back today (good news), and he stated that the seniors at NU usually have a debt of about $15,000 (which is actually lower than what I expected it to be). He stated that this was one of the lowest debts for these students in the Big Ten.</p>
<p>He also stated that they usually are able to find jobs when they leave Northwestern. Plus, recruiters come to Northwestern looking for new employees, and Northwestern has University Career Services to help them. </p>
<p>They have work-study for them so that it is easier for them to pay for their daily needs. </p>
<p>I think the $15,000 debt is very low, but if that's what the person said then I can't argue. I know that Northwestern is solely need-based, meaning they don't offer any merit-based aid like some other schools do. So, if you don't "qualify" for financial aid (numbers-wise, meaning FAFSA/CSS formula stuff, which isn't exactly always realistic in the first place) then you're stuck with $160,000 of loans without the possibility of merit-based aid or work study. That's why it really sucks if you don't "qualify" but still need money. They guarantee to meet your demonstrated need, but that can be sort of a narrow outlook on the actual financial situation of a family. It's a slippery slope with ED and financial aid. I've definitely found that out :)</p>
<p>I was an international..so I didn't get anything and I don't know anything about financial aid. What I got was Making Dad Poor Funds :)</p>
<p>HeyIveGotWorkToDo, I understand what you meant. But in reality, other schools that offer merit-based schlorship don't really help the majority of those that "need money but don't qualify". That's not what they are for; they are really just used to compete for few of the most talented/impressive kids who may just happen to fall in that category. Instead of alluring small number of smartest kids, NU's policy simply use that money to help the ones in most need.</p>