Hard Choices - What Would You Do?

Parents Forum
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<p>There are a few schools where it might make sense to use the ED option even if families can’t afford a huge EFC. For example, dunno if this is still true, but Muhlenberg used to tout how they loved giving merit aid to ED applicants. Yeshiva University (not a common choice :slight_smile: ) has (had?) an ED program where you could only get out of the ED commitment if you were admitted ED and NOT given their substantial merit scholarship. Elon has binding ED with no escape clause for not receiving enough financial aid…but their full-pay rate is far lower than most schools, and their ED acceptance rate is far higher than their RD or EA rate. </p>

<p>If the family has straightforward finances and has enough steely spine to set a budget for their kid (and maybe a little flex to go a few thousand over), applying to an ED school that meets need might work. Might. If you have anything “unusual”–you own a business, a farm, or lots of rental property, the parents are divorced, your retirement savings aren’t in a designated retirement account–then all bets are off. </p>

<p>Of course, if the school isn’t a student’s absolute first choice, there’s no point in applying ED. Ditto if the student hasn’t visited the campus while school is in session. </p>

<p>Bottom line is to do homework, read the forums for the schools your child is interested in, look at how applicants have fared in past years with acceptances and money.</p>

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<p>^^^ is having divorced parents “unusual” among the college-applicant demographic? Does anyone know where to find stats on this?</p>

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<p>Complications in circumstances rather than “unusual” - we knew what he meant, though, and that’s why the word was in quotations.</p>

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<p>From the OP on another thread, caught my eye.</p>

<p>Apparently she DOES have other affordable choices in hand already, albeit not in NYC.</p>

<p>A word to the wise: it is hard for us to give rational advice when we don’t actually get the whole picture…</p>

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<p>Thumper1</p>

<p>BU Trustee Scholarship does not have an interview process.</p>

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<p>I stand corrected on the interview. Students must be nominated by their high schools. There is an application process including essays that I believe are due by December 1. It’s a great award but very competitive.</p>

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<p>I am dealing with the NYU thing now myself, although for graduate school. I got in there with a scholarship, but could do even better at some other schools. At first, when I saw <em>NYU</em> I was euphoric. But I’ve come down. If the other schools can offer me a good education, that’s great. I got into a big ten school, a school near my house, and another private school. I’m deferring for a year. But I totally get the “dream school” thing. But I know I will be happy at any of the other schools I applied to and that the right thing will work out for me in the end (I hope). ;-)</p>