<p>Congrats to your daughter momnipotent! I know there has been a lot of angst about the 2 deposit issue. I think that when dealing with significant financial aid and a state school, particularly, that there is some leeway in what is the "ethical" thing to do, and we shouldn't be overly critical or rush to judge. I do think that if colleges want to hold students to deadlines (which is not unreasonable), then the colleges' FA departments should have strict deadlines that give the students the info they need. Realistically, even if the FA departments stuck to the deadlines, there will instances where because a family asks for review or clarification, there is difficulty having the final FA word prior to May 1.</p>
<p>I feel it just depends on the circumstances - under typical circumstances, if the child just can't decide, I think it is wrong not to stick to the deadline. But, I can see scenarios where double depositing for a few days (not weeks) is the right thing for the child to allow them to wait for needed info. I'm just glad everything worked out for your D!</p>
<p>Good news Momnipotent! It sounds like you are both very happy with the decision. I am glad that everything worked out smoothly with the FA at BU. Your D will have a wonderful experience in the Uni and the City.
I also agree that you did what you needed to, to make the right choice for your d academically, and for you financially. And double-agree (??) with everything Cangel said above.</p>
<p>Congratulations on making the decision to search for the best fit for your D. The college admission process is unnerving and especially so for parents who care.
So let me welcome you to Boston and BU. I am sorry you anticipated not being safe (am glad your visit dispelled those fears). I had the same feeling when DD said she was thinking of Penn.. I quickly took her on a visit to show her how a college in the city could feel and i immediately fell in love with the school.. however, BU's borders the best that Boston has to offer starting with Backbay and Newbury St. (the Rodeo of Beantown), Brookline-ultra affluent town, the Charles river, Cambridge, Harvard, and MIT, BC and Northeastern not to mention the Fennway, and a fair amount of other nice-named colleges and universities. it sits amidst the best teaching hospitals in the world and down the road from Harvard's Medical school.
I have two sibs who graduated BU one undergrad the other the law school, I also have a number of friends who teach there. It is an amazing place with a number of hidden opportunities for those who choose to find them. This year I have one nephew who completed his 1st year in Poli-sci is interning in his uncles law firm, and his brother arrives this fall to the new (er) engineering school. (they are from Florida) It is expensive only because there are so many things to do and places to eat and the social life cannot be beat. This is Historic Boston.... My sister buys them the unlimited meal plan that seem to be fine, (this nephew can live on little its the rich-minded younger one that will test the $$.) </p>
<p>My concern with the school has to be with the lack of diversity but the number of colleges around helps to balance that aspect. DD who went to a sm day school and NE prep felt that would be a draw back and did not apply. She did have a great selection of schools and is heading to Princeton in the fall.
Just PM me if you need any info</p>
<p>I told my daughter there was only one thing I would insist on in her college choice, and that was that it would have to be in a place I would want to visit. As a BU alum myself, I can say that Boston was on the list. Congratulations, and enjoy all the fun stuff Schleas mentioned.</p>