I am a sophomore at a community college and have been accepted to Boston University as a transfer student with a solid financial aid package (40k of the 51k-ish tuition; I’m living off-campus). However, although BU’s enrollment deposit isn’t due until June 1st, they require a decision about the financial aid package by May 1st. Accepting or declining the financial aid package amounts to committing to enroll at BU, as I understand it, so I have until May 1st to make up my mind.
I applied to Tufts REAL program as well as Brandeis and am still waiting to hear back from both schools. Brandeis is my top choice, but transfer decision notifications go out between April and June according to their website. I applied by the March 15th deadline and all of my information is in on time-- just playing the waiting game.
My question is: should I wait until the last minute for Brandeis’ decision so I can 1) know if I’ve been accepted or rejected and 2) if accepted, compare financial aid packages?
I’m worried I won’t hear from Brandeis by May 1st and either have to commit to BU or not commit to BU and risk being rejected by both Brandeis and Tufts, thus without a school to attend come Fall. I’ll be disappointed if I don’t hear from Brandeis by May 1st, commit to BU, then receive acceptance and equal or greater financial aid from Brandeis after the deadline. Like I said, Brandeis is my top choice, it has elements BU simply does not have (Palle Yourgrau, for one), but I would still be happy to attend BU.
I should mention that I feel good about my application to Brandeis: had a great interview, visited the school several times, have several specific interests only Brandeis can accommodate, have three excellent letters of recommendation, 4.0, and unusual circumstances that drive my interest in philosophy, religion, and psychology. A friend and alumnus of Brandeis has called me an “ideal candidate”. I think I can get in, but rejection is always a possibility.
This is driving me a little nuts ever since I received acceptance from BU a few days ago. If the enrollment deposit were due by May 1st instead of the financial aid package decision, then I would have the option of sending in the deposit and changing my mind if need be. But since the financial aid decision is due, that option is eliminated.
Fellow transfer applicants (to Brandeis and in general): have you dealt with this issue before? When did your notifications arrive? Advice? It’s possible that Brandeis will notify me before May 1st and all this worry will be for nothing, but until then, talking helps.