<p>Why didn't she apply to some non-binding selective schools - Caltech, MIT, Chicago? That was the strategy I really wanted my D to use. She didn't and it worked out okay but to me that was the sensible strategy this year.</p>
<p>We told the schools we could meet our contribution from the EFC calculator on the collegeboard.com website, but if their award was substantially different than that amount, we could not swing it. We spoke about this to Wesleyan, Middlebury, Conn College, and Vassar, all schools to which my son considered applying ED (or EDII if he didn't get into his first choice.) Each school's Admissions officer assured me that if we could not get the award needed, then they would release him from the agreement, but they said that since they are committed to meeting 100% of financial need, that it rarely or never happened.
Now, we are willing to pay that EFC amount, even if we have to borrow. But some parents want to compare amounts, and then decide. I wanted this process over and done with. So my son applied to Vassar ED1, and got in. Yay!! We were on eggshells for a week, until we got the FAid package. I cried when I saw how generous Vassar was, as most of these top schools claim to be. He is going to Vassar!!
So if you are willing to put out the EFC amount, and want the advantage that I truly believe ED gives you, then get your daughter cracking, because most of these schools have an EDII deadline of January 1st. The schools that state that they meet 100% of your need are the ONLY ones I would allow my child to apply to ED. You can find that on the collegeboard site as well, under the Tuition & Financial Aid link on each school.
Good luck, and keep us posted!</p>
<p>We also needed to compare financial aid offers. S did apply EA (non-binding)to a reach. He was deferred for RD evaluation.</p>
<p>All of the schools that accepted our son claim to meet 100% of need. We discovered that the computation of need varies widely, as does the makeup of the package that is offered to meet that need. I am glad we had the opportunity to compare ALL the variables before making a decision.</p>
<p>Bottom line: Our fortunate S is very happy at Duke. </p>
<p>Everyone's mileage will vary, of course!</p>
<p>Dad II - You did the right thing because your D did not have a clear first choice and financial aid is important. We allowed our S to apply ED (he was deferred) because it was a clear first choice for him and we could swing the EFC. We spent considerable time discussing why he wanted to do ED, and when we were finally convinced he was doing it for the right reasons, we agreed. I have to say that we are fortunate that the deferral has not ruined his Christmas vacation at all; he was unhappy for about 24 hours and has bounced back beautifully. We are now excited to what Spring will bring.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Why didn't she apply to some non-binding selective schools - Caltech, MIT, Chicago?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It does not work for my D. She does not like tech schools like Caltech and MIT. I think she would die if she had to go to those schools. For Chicago, it's too many essays and she is not the intellectual type(haha), rather she is an artsy/creative type. Vassar would have been a better choice but it has ED not EA.</p>
<p>99cents - sounds familiar. My D kind of likes science but not hugely and Caltech and MIT just didn't feel right to her and she found the U Chicago application absurdly long and kind of annoying.</p>
<p>U Chicago application = self selection</p>
<p>Totally true. I appreciated how idiosyncratic it was. She looked it over and knew the school wasn't for her. No application fee, no essay writing. H and I were sad. We personally think it's a superb school.</p>
<p>Well, I guess it depends on the kid. My daughter took a light hearted approach to the Chicago essay and had fun with it - she created her own, humorous essay topic and submitted short, humorous responses to each of the short answers. She was deferred EA.... given the flippant nature of her application, it was something of a surprise that she wasn't rejected. I suggested that perhaps it would be good for the school to see a more serious side to her, so she supplemented by mailing in a copy of her common app essay plus a graded writing sample ... and she was admitted in the spring. </p>
<p>So you don't really have to stress all that much for EA.... though in my d's case it didn't result in an early admit in any case. </p>
<p>But there are also quite a few colleges that are somewhat less prestigious than Chicago or MIT but still excellent colleges that offer EA or rolling admissions. Tulane is one that comes to mind for students interested in an early write, and is also known for very generous merit offers to top applicants.</p>
<p>I've said it before (light-heartedly-I really don't want to get into a religious discussion :)) </p>
<p>If I get to come back, I want to come back as a University of Chicago freshman.</p>
<p>Son did not apply; no engineering program.</p>