<p>As I read more and more, my mind changes more and more. So I keep looking for advice (always taken with a grain of salt, don't worry!) and more information as my plans develop.</p>
<p>I'm really considering applying to The George Washington University ED. I don't need / am not doing it for the supposed "application boost". I'm way above the 75th percentile for just about all of their stats and am not bad off for the subjective portions of my app (essays withholding, and I'm also a URM which seems to matter to some people). I'm doing it because I'm at least 85% sure that no matter what other schools I get into, I'm going to go to GW anyways. It would save time (which isn't all that important), hassle, stress, and MONEY to apply ED to a school I'm positive I want to go to. (As an added bonus I'd get housing and registration priority.)</p>
<p>Of course, the only reason I'm not applying ED right off the bat is because of the money. That's that other 15%. Now, that said, it is generally advised not to apply anywhere ED if financial aid is an issue. However, I am not in an all-that-unpredictable situation. My EFC and CSS/Profile (barring the student contribution) are both 0. I have a read a lot of great stories from students with very low EFCs and very good financial aid packages. </p>
<p>At the no-loans schools on my list, I'd graduate with at least $16,000 in debt because of not doing work study for two years (at least two internships and a semester abroad) and not being able to make my student contribution (the money I make during the summer is my only transportation/spending/books/incidental fees money). My question is: for those of you with experience with GW or otherwise in the FA game, is the financial aid at GW good enough for me to apply there ED?</p>
<p>I don’t grasp some of the details but the broad brushstroke is clear: you’ll likely into GW anyway and by not going ED, you get to weigh options, including FA offers. Or am I missing something? If not, then don’t apply ED.</p>
<p>Each college and university gets to determine how it will meet your financial need. Even if your EFC is 0. If you need serious money to pay for your education, you can’t afford to fall in love with any one college or university. You can’t afford to apply ED. You have to take the time to develop a list of options, apply broadly, and then compare the financial aid packages in April. </p>
<p>College A may cough up full room+board+tuition+fees+books+pocket money in the form of scholarships. College B may assume you can earn $X in the summer to cover your books+pocket money, and award you scholarships for tuition+fees, work study for board, and loans to cover your room. Colleges C-Z will have even more options for you to consider. Give yourself the opportunity to find out what all of the options are.</p>
<p>I don’t agree that a student should never apply ED if money is an issue, especially a student with a very low EFC and high academic stats. However, personally I’d never advise anyone to do when applying to a school that packages loans with their financial aid. It’s true that at a no-loans school, in your case, you may end up taking out some loans anyway based on your plans, but at a school that does include loans in your FA award that would then be loans upon loans. You could end up way too deep in debt.</p>
<p>Since you’re probably a shoe-in for GW anyway, why not apply in RD? It’s not like it will cost a whole bunch more, because you wouldn’t have to apply to a lot of other schools. Just make sure one is a financial safety as well as an admissions safety, and then throw in a couple reach-y no-loans schools, then GW and whatever else you want to do.</p>
<p>Applying ED with high need can actually be a good strategy in certain limited cases, but not to GW, in my opinion.</p>