<p>morangotango, what did you write in your review? Did you just state the facts of your current financial state or did you plead with them about wanting to go to Dartmouth and not being able to afford to? Plus, did you write about other colleges that you got into that gave you more financial aid?</p>
<p>dawn,</p>
<p>you have to remember that everyone's FA situation is different. Suffice it to say you want to attend Dartmouth and have a problem with the $$ or you would not be requesting a review. </p>
<p>When we reqested a FA review, I wrote specifics about my financial situation and although Dartmouth was my D's first choice, Williams was a more financially feasable option for our family and enclosed the Williams aid package (even though it was not the best package D recieved I did know that Williams was a direct competitor as far as admissions and there was a lot of overlap in the 2 pools). I asked them if they could do anything to close some of the gap between the 2 schools and Dartmouth met the Williams package.</p>
<p>remember because D only gives need based aid, they will not conisder a financial review of a comprable package that is based on merit money.</p>
<p>amberdawn: it's what sybbie said. we mentioned specifics about how much we could afford and how much we couldnt, vassar's competitive package, as well as mention how dartmouth is my first choice.</p>
<p>amber:</p>
<p>make sure you don't forget any unusual expenses, such as high medical expenses, or caring for grandparents, etc. (But have proof if you make such a claim.) Or, was your family income inflated for one year by special circumstances, one-time bonus, or severance from a prior employer?</p>
<p>well, i got back my appeal.
they are now giving me 33k a year! so i wouldhave to pay (including loans) approximately 18k a year.</p>
<p>here lies the problem: brandeis gave me a full ride.i don't like brandeis. i applied there because my dad insisted i should, hence i applied without even researching the school to appease my dad. now they gave me a full ride and i don't even want to go there. sad part? it's all merit. even sadder part? which parent wouldn't want me to take a full ride. the one school i didn't actually pick is the one that i'll probably have to go to. </p>
<p>i sense a cruel, cruel irony. :(</p>
<p>Congratulation!! on getting a better aid package. When you sit down with your parents, make sure that you understand the terms of your merit money(personally I would rather deal with need based aid because as long as you are in good standing and you have a need, you will get your money). </p>
<p>Your parents also need to remember that college is not high school, while you may have been able to cake walk you way to straight A's it is not going to be that easy to do so in college (yes, there are going to be some weed out courses and intro science courses are curved somewhere between a C+ & B)</p>
<p>What does your "full ride consists" of is it tuition room board, stipends,etc?</p>
<p>Is it automatically renewable for all 4 years</p>
<p>Is it contigent on maintaining a certain GPA?</p>
<p>is there a phase in to that GPA?</p>
<p>If you do not make the GPA, is there a grace period (for example if your merit is contigent on maintaining a 3.5 gpa, and you don't get it fall term do you have until spring term to bring it up ) or do you lose your money immediately.</p>
<p>Is your merit money transferable to study abroad programs.</p>
<p>Should something happen and you lose the merit money would you be eligible to have it re-instated?</p>
<p>Should something happen and you lose your scholarship, would your parents still be able to send you there?</p>
<p>What you also want to know is what percentage of student who have this scholarship keep the scholarship all 4 years.</p>
<p>morango,</p>
<p>That's a fine offer from Brandeis. However, $18,000 a year is not much, really. Even assuming no parental contribution, you can save $4000 easily on meals, miscellaneous items, books, etc. Get a job this summer, work even fifty hours a week, limit your expenses, and you pull in another $4000 minimum. Work 10 hours/week during the school year, and get at least another $2000. That's at least $10,000 off your price, and that's not even beginning to consider any form of parental contribution, outside scholarships, savings, etc.</p>
<p>Morango, are there other reasons besides the dollars that interest your folks? (Like who you will meet?). Having some frank talks about the life picture could clear the air. Best of luck to finding a good path.</p>
<p>Morantango - you have an impressive pkg from Dartmouth. I think it would be hard to pass up.</p>
<p>I don't understand the math. Doesn't Dartmouth say the total cost of attendance is around $47,000?? And they're giving you $33,000 -- you that a difference of $14,000, not $18,000. What am I missing?</p>
<p>ALSO: Are there scholarships from your HS and your town that you are eligible for? My son was just told he's eligible to apply for a $10,000 per year merit scholarship. There may be other things available as well, through the state, some religious affiliation, the rotary club, etc. Speak to your GC!!</p>
<p>Regardless: Also see if you can get data about what companies recruit on the two campuses, what % of grads are accepted at med/law/business schools, etc. </p>
<p>This is hard work. </p>
<p>Ultimately, if you absolutely, positively had to, would you take the $18,000 a year in loans (at the worst) and shoulder it all yourself? If it winds up being your own expense and not your parents', would that free you up to make your own decision?</p>
<p>Of the total cost estimate Dartmouth gave you, and upon which they based financial aid, about $2,500 (more or less) represents books and travel and miscellaneous fees. Books and fees and travel are probably costs outside the full-ride scholarship you are getting at Brandeis. If that is the case, then really the difference in the packages is $12,500/year - not $18,000 (Tuition Room and Board are $45,483), unless it would cost you that much more to travel to Brandeis than to Hanover . And, as Wisconsinguy has stated, you can greatly reduce, with a little effort, the cost of books, the cost of travel and can completely control the extra spending $. </p>
<p>Considering that you can easily reduce the cost of the meal plan after the first term, the difference shrinks even more. </p>
<p>As a parent, I can certainly see what the Brandeis offer is attractive - its an excellent school. But Dartmouth seems to be your dream school, so bear in mind the points Sybbie made about possible strings attached to a merit scholarship, and keep in mind the difference in absolute cost is closer to $12,500 than $18,000.</p>
<p>So, Morango, what's up? Did you go to Dimensions? Have you considered what you're going to do? Have you (or your parents) made peace with the $$$ difference between the two schools? Or are you going to Brandeis?</p>
<p>well everyone....</p>
<p>It's official! I'm going GREEEEN!
I went to dimensions and met some AWESOME people that I absolutely love. I looove the school and I am totally excited. I'm going to have to work a lot, apply for a lot of scholarships, and take out quite a few loans though. For some reason, I have a good feeling things are going to work out :) My parents are probably giving me no money and my dad thinks I'm making the worst decision of my life, but I'm willing to work for it.
I'm still believing in good karma!</p>
<p>Congratulations, I am glad that you were able to work things out.</p>
<p>
[quote]
My parents are probably giving me no money and my dad thinks I'm making the worst decision of my life, but I'm willing to work for it.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Keep this post and give it to him a year from now after he sees for himself that you had an amazing experience. Give it to him again in June 2011 when he is cheering the loudest at graduation ;)</p>
<p>Congrats, Lo!!!!!!!! :)
(and yes, Dimensions = officially best time ever)</p>
<p>Yay! good for you and good luck!</p>
<p>When I'm helping my son move in and I hear someone calling you "Lo," I'll identify myself. This is great!!!!</p>