<p>Uh nooooo netthreat, bad idea. Financial aid officers make a lot of decisions regarding aid packages without knowing “the whole picture” of a family’s situation. Most cases they’d be happy to renegotiate the offer if it means recruiting an additional student and boosting the yield rate, which is really what they’re most concerned about. A few extra thousand bucks from a multibillion dollar endowment that’s quickly returning to monolithic size is rarely a concern.</p>
<p>@JMMom32 - My younger brother turned down Harvard for Williams. It was a tough decision (he really like Harvard when he came for prefrosh weekend), but the LAC environment was definitely the better fit for him, and he’s loved his experience there.</p>
<p>You do give up some opportunities when you go for the smaller school (i.e. no hospital to do research at), but you gain a lot with the intimacy. Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions about the LAC vs. Ivy decision!</p>
<p>How would it be best to go about talking to the financial aid department for a re-evaluation? I’m visiting in a week and a half, so would you recommend a face-to-face discussion of the matter then, or would it be better to call them immediately and hash things over</p>
<p>Personally, I would call before the visit and be prepared to give them comparable financial aid (not merit aid) offers from other peer institutions. That is what worked for us in the past. It’s important to be polite and not ask them to “negotiate.” You will probably be asked to fax in the other offers with a letter stating that you would attend (assuming that you are the student) if your financial need can be comparably met.</p>
<p>They will not meet merit aid offers.</p>
<p>Congrats on getting into Harvard! </p>
<p>I would say take advantage of your full-ride! With your major, you may choose to go to grad school, in which case it would be great to go to Harvard. </p>
<p>It will let you have four more years to prepare financially and academically for Harvard’s grad school. </p>
<p>Good luck! Whatever your decision is, just do your best and enjoy! :)</p>
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Except there’s absolutely no guarantee that the OP will be accepted to Harvard’s grad school.</p>
<p>Ya…completely second just<em>forget</em>me. The thing that absolutely drives me nuts is when people say “don’t got to HYPSM for UG, just got 2 your state school and then go 2 Harvard for grad school.” The only program is HYPSM grad schools are infinitely more competitive (with a few exceptions) than their UG counterparts. However, if you go 2 Harvard for your UG, the prestige will say with you for a lifetime. Moreover, should you decide you want to enter the financial sector, a Harvard degree with do wonders for your career.</p>
<p>Your question says it all.</p>
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<p>When you have Harvard behind you, you’ll never have to add anything on at the end. Go for the quality education (and trust me, despite the media’s hate for Harvard, it has been an exemplary education from my professors and even more so from my peers) and I believe in the long run, your decision will pay dividends personally (better connections) and if you care about money, financially as well.</p>
<p>I agree with just<em>forget</em>me and Rtgrove123, grad school isn’t as easy as everyone says. And if you want to go to an Ivy League or Harvard grad school, graduating from Harvard will be a huge plus!
I thought Harvard was generous with FA though (better so than many schools that are highly ranked).
Plus, being a Harvard alumnus will make you a part of the “Harvard club”, in job opportunities many Harvard graduates are at the top, and the two of you will instantly have a connection, the same alma mater. Asides from that, people will prefer Harvard College in your resume better than ______ State University (no offence to those from State Universities, I’m just generally speaking).
Not to mention how incredible it would be to have a future CEO or US senator in your graduating class!</p>