<p>So I contacted the MIT financial aid office about 3 weeks ago because I wanted to appeal my financial aid package since there was a large discrepency between MIT and Harvard's packages. They said that they would start an appeals process for me and I would hear from them soon.</p>
<p>Sure enough, I did not hear from them. So last night, April 30th at 10pm, I finally sent, via email, my decision to MIT to not enroll since it would cost me 20k more to go, and money is a big factor. </p>
<p>I get home from school and my afterschool activities tonight, and lo and behold, there is an email from the financial aid office with my updated financial award award, which was MUCH more competitive (not as good as Harvard's, but on a little off). </p>
<p>But now it is too late to do anything about it because I made my decision last night under the impression that I had to notify the college BY May 1st. </p>
<p>Why do they wait till the last minute?!</p>
<p>If you would choose MIT over Harvard in light of the new financial aid offer, and explained why you sent your original email, I doubt they'd say you can't enroll...</p>
<p>Send MIT Admissions an email. Tonight. Follow up with a call and a fax in the AM. Include names of anyone you speak with. I assume the website won't let you re-enter your decision, and this is why you can't just do this all online.</p>
<p>Once you have confirmation from MIT (I'd tell my S to get it in writing, just to placate me), then you can let H know.</p>
<p>This is why financial decisions shouldn't govern which college you pick ^.^</p>
<p>Not everyone has that luxury...and this year, with so many schools changing (and responding to) new FA policies, I'm sure the FA offices have been swamped far more than usual.</p>
<p>^^ To an extent......</p>
<p>
[quote]
But now it is too late to do anything about it because I made my decision last night under the impression that I had to notify the college BY May 1st.
[/quote]
You could have requested an extension to wait on financial aid information, as outlined in Matt's blog.</p>
<p>"Not everyone has that luxury..."</p>
<p>I disagree. I ain't rich, a lot of people going to college ain't rich, but there are ways to get money (grants, loans, etc) and be able to get through college. Yeah, some of it you'll have to pay back later, but I personally think the education and the experience is well worth paying off a loan. (It's not like you're going to be poor out on the street after graduation...)</p>
<p>I disagree - it's not worth it if your other choice is Harvard - the education is just as good and the experience is probably not that much worse...</p>
<p>This isn't always about worse or better - I agree, Harvard probably isn't <em>worse</em> but it is significantly different. Otherwise the asker wouldn't be having an issue with choosing Harvard but wanting to chose MIT in light of the new financial offer after already submitting a decision.</p>
<p>i thought you didn't feel at home at MIT. that was you, right? If that's the case, I don't know man, go with what feels right.</p>
<p>Yes, I didn't feel home at MIT when I visited. But by the same token, it also didn't feel right because I would have to pay so much more to go there. </p>
<p>If I got this financial aid package earlier than May 1st, I would have had a lot more thinking to do as well. Even though I didn't feel right there that one weekend, that doesn't mean that the next four years would be horrible. </p>
<p>But it is too late for any of that now. What's done is done.</p>
<p>You did what was best for both you and your family with the information you had been given at the time. As between MIT and Harvard you couldnt go wrong. Congratulations and best of luck.</p>
<p>Well if you didn't feel at home at MIT, by all means, go to Harvard =D.</p>