<p>hmm, got an early write last week and then my financial aid package today. it was slightly offputting, especially since i had thought williams financial aid was really really good. i really wanted to go but now im not too sure anymore. any thoughts?</p>
<p>Well, I would say put off making a decision until you’ve visited all of your choices and compared all of your packages. I thought mine was pretty good.</p>
<p>tricky-not a good sign for your fin aid at non-merit schools-congrats on the early write-however, since you are an early write, may want to contact fin aid with any extenuating circumstances etc. They may re-review your info, or at least explain why it doesn’t meet your expectations.</p>
<p>At Previews last year the financial aid speaker was plain as day that if you have a better need-based package from another school they would like to see it and see what they can do. As an early-write admit you are clearly a top student they would like to see attend. Just wait to see how your other need-based aid offers work out. You may or may not see the same result at other schools, time will tell.</p>
<p>We found the calculator on the Williams website to be very close to the actual offer. If something doesn’t seem right to you, give them a call just to clarify how the offer was calculated.</p>
<p>Okay, my FA is pretty bad (less than half of calculated). It came with a letter from the Dept. Chair of Chem and a pre-engineering advisory guy. Williams can pull out every recruitment method available but without enough aid I can’t go anywhere…</p>
<p>At least you guys have a choice… I have not idea what my package will be next year and I’m pretty much tied down :/</p>
<p>Williams gave my S our best package. And if your package was less than half of what was calculated, I would raise the question and point that out.</p>