<p>@Kate – I put “profit” in quotes-- using the term loosely to express that this situation is one where the student is pocketing money for being a student. I understand she wants to save money-- everyone would love to do so if possible-- no dispute there. That’s clear. But to highlight in her post she can increase her “cash back” by taking a less pricey room type while we read concurrently of so many others posting with equally low EFCs they will have to decline the CMU admissions offer or borrow tens of thousands of dollars to attend-- well it sounds a trifle insensitive don’t you think? I don’t like to hear an entitlement attitude from anyone-- just b/c someone is onfinancial aid doesn’t mean they “deserve” a less expensive room type-- what about all the families having a job loss, or high medical bills or middle class but not eligible for aid-- don’t you think they also want to save money? The point being- CMU is not in the business of evaluating one student’s suffering against others-- that’s why there is a FAFSA, an EFC and a very clearly articulated financial aid policy and then a very equitable housing policy. The two aren’t related. There’s a bunch of students who had miserable packages-- and to hear someone is getting cash in their pocket - it doesn’t sit well I’m sure for many people reading the post. </p>
<p>EDs cannot always pull in RDs…it’s a slightly fuzzy policy from housing. I had another post about this a few weeks ago. According to housing, RDs with late deposit dates cannot bump those with significantly sooner deposit dates to get into better rooms. Some students at our high school had requested each other but were unpleasantly surprised to learn they hadn’t been paired. Housing told them very clearly – that roomie pairs had to have a very close proximity in the dates of deposit to be placed together …so an ED most certainly cannot pull in anyone depositing in the last few days.<br>
An RD pulled in by and ED cannot bump another ED for sure. In 2008, the housing group was literally filling spots and making decisions on housing by processing 2-3 deposit dates per day-- over a two week period-- with 1500+ students to process, it is easy to see why it goes in order. So the person processing would on Monday have processed all ED, Tuesday March 28, 29, Wednesay thru April 3, etc… so that if an April 3 was paired with an April 23-- the 23rd would not get paired in the choice dorm but held over until the person processed that date-- upwards of 600-700 people in front on the housing queue and they did not get bumped by the pull in. </p>
<p>With 100% certainty - -if you have NOT already paid your deposit – you are not going to be living in Mudge or Morewood even if requested by an ED. With 100% certainty- -if you paid your deposit April 30, May 1-- you are in Oakland apartments (unless you are disabled) or have a parent who is willing to get on the phone and be an exceedingly complaining parent…and probably not even then.</p>
<p>EDs should not be posting that they can take anyone into their room from the RD pool-- it’s not true…and the ED should best be looking for a potential roomie from the ED pool – or may end up with someone they didn’t pick - that’s fine too- but it will be a surprise-- and if that’s not the intent-- then don’t pair up with someone who placed a late deposit either.</p>
<p>I have not once known of a single student who sent money back to her parents at home while she was in college - did you do such a thing when you were an undergrad? That’s probably the most humble situation I can possibly think of. I don’t know where you got the insensitivity bit from, but the spiteful and almost jealous tone on your end is what sounds more “insensitive,” honestly.</p>
<p>Not once did she say she deserved to live in a quad - she just asked if it would be a consideration that the university would make. I think you did some reading between the lines and perhaps misunderstood what was actually written.</p>
<p>And no, it’s not guaranteed that a RD can be pulled in. But rather than emailing housing, I actually live in a Mudge quad, and I know that there are RD students of both genders who have been pulled in. I know it is a possibility to do so, with perseverance and a bit of luck. I’m just trying to help lucky out, and I don’t understand where the random hostility came from. I’m a little puzzled. :/</p>
<p>@ kate First, to answer your direct question about my personal experience as an undergrad in the 1970s- I supported myself in college --I worked 15 hours a week, borrowed the maximum allowable to cover my living expenses and didn’t take one dime from my parents–because they had none to give. I actually brought food to my grandparents when I visited weekly since they were living solely on social security. I suppose if it were today, I’d also be in a family with an EFC=0. My mom was disabled, and my dad worked two jobs- including a janitor and retail security. I do not come from luxury or even the middle class. I paid student loans for a very long time! </p>
<p>Regarding your assessment of my comments on Lucky’s posts…I respectfully disagree-- I don’t think I have a spiteful tone-- but I do think the poster was somewhat oblivious to the misfortunes that so many of her peers and their parents have been posting for the past 3 weeks here and I stand by comments. I’m sure Lucky is a fine person and I wish her and everyone able to attend nothing but the best of times.<br>
That said, I don’t mean her any disrespect…but there have been numerous parents and students posting that they had a 0 EFC and got so little or no aid. A family with 0 EFC is indeed very in need of financial aid! It is insensitive to tell everyone you got a free ride and are looking for even more money (even if it may be sent home) in the face of your peers who are in utter despair that they were forced to go elsewhere-- .</p>
<p>Why should someone in her words “entirely on financial aid” somehow be able to pay the cheaper rate…while someone else with the same EFC=0 borrows 10,000…the university made it clear, the COA is based on a double standard room and housing fills in the order of deposit. Some students have had to appeal their aid – and were delayed in placing a deposit. They will likely get stuck in Oakland apts and that’s now $1500 - 1700 more than a standard double. Seems if anything, the students appealing their aid- -or those whose aid package was delayed through no fault of their own should have an equally good case for having the least expensive room type. A bunch of people didn’t even get their package until mid April -now they potentially could get stuck in Oakland and be forced to pay that higher price of an apt.</p>
<p>Family financial matters are private-- sharing news of an earned merit-based scholarship is one thing- but telling everyone you attend school for free when others struggle to make ends meet-- it’s just inappropriate and I think insensitive to others equally in need of aid.</p>
<p>Financial aid is meant to be designed to support and meet the needs of students – it’s not meant to support the student and the family- just the student. If a student has extra money to send home – that is money that rightfully should be distributed to another equally needy student.</p>
<p>Actually, if the final invoice is based on the quad rates - there would likely be an adjustment to the package-- grants provided would not exceed actual costs-- guessing the work study or loans or grants would be cut somewhere in that package if there is less spent on housing…however, if a student saves on books by buying used etc or is able to come way under the budgeted “personal expenses” then there is no adjustment to the package.</p>
<p>Um…sorry. I didn’t mean to come off as “hah, got money now give me quad” just yeah. Just, my family is kinda odd in that they completely don’t understand college or financial aid in the least. They figure I’ll be able to send back some of my work study money (if not most) because if food and room is covered than what else do I need money for? I kinda get that I guess, my cousin sends money from UT to her family. At home it’s like if someone gets a check at least half is sent to mom. So I’m just trying to up my saving and all that so it’s easier to send. I don’t figure I deserve the money, it’d just be nice. So…most likely no on a quad. My second request was a triple then a double then an apartment or single. Am I at least likely for a triple or double? I paid my deposit as soon as possible, around…early/mid April?</p>
<p>(I am really grateful, my meeting with the financial aid was just “thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou” for half an hour. They do say it’s merit based, but only available to low income. I do have a 0 efc. I’m not entirely sure what they look for in giving out financial aid but I’m not in a position to question.)</p>
<p>Triples even more rare than quads…you can see the floor plan for those.</p>
<p>Early vs. Mid April can mean hundreds or just a few students in front of you-- hard to determine.</p>
<p>There are 1400-1500 students…about 150-200 were ED…so the remainder were notified started March 25 and trickling in from there…
Could be a few hundred by the first week of April and many more by Mid April.</p>
<p>However…no on knows…put Quad first, triple second, double third.</p>
<p>Don’t put apartment under any circumstance-- rate sheet shows that as about 1400-1500 more than the budget in the financial aid package which is set for housing for a standard double.</p>
<p>I can’t not put apartments on my options on the online application. It makes me rank in order between quad, triple, double, apartment, single. Which is how I have it.</p>
<p>Good for you, lucky, and congratulations on the merit scholarship! I have read on CC about students getting more money than they needed; I think there was a whole thread on it once upon a time. And you are certainly entitled to mention the fact that you’re on full FA since it related to your question.</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone outside of the Housing office at CMU can really say what kind of room you or anyone else will get; keep in mind that you do have the option to request a room change once you get there in the fall. You can put your name on waiting lists; no one can predict what kind of rooms might open up. But it’s very likely that if you’re not in one of the double dorms you can probably get into one by second semester if not earlier. You wouldn’t be obligated to move to another space if one becomes available, but you would have to decide very quickly and be prepared to move ASAP.</p>
<p>I think Lucky got a FA scholarship not Merit. And lucky did you say they consider your grades when they give out FA? So I’m guessing since you got full tuition you must have an amazing GPA/SAT???</p>
<p>Lucky, aren’t you a hispanic female? That’s like a goldmine to colleges. Latino kids are definitely the one thing that is absent at CMU. My high school was like 60% Latino. Ah, the old days.</p>
<p>^ Yes! I think that’s a big part of it too since it seemed minorities were the ones getting the grant. We were all like “COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL”. My school’s 97% mexican so it’s gonna be odd going to Carnegie where they don’t even have mexican food.</p>
<p>Donnor houses the Kiltie Band stuff … perhaps also rooms there.</p>
<p>When my D was a freshman, the room above hers had a Jazz major…who used to practice every afternoon right in the dorm room-- she actually looked forward to it- said it was beautiful to listen to…it was about 4:30 and a nice option when checking emails after a long day…point being, no one complained.</p>
<p>I guess if it’s not a large piercing brass instrument-- might not generate any complaints…</p>
<p>Because of financial aid reevaluations, my family just recieved my final offer today. While it looks like I may be able to attend CMU (and believe me, this is a dream come true) I’m now concerned about housing. After reading several posts, my enrollment deposit won’t be in until sometime today or tomorrow (hopefully). As soon as I can fill out my housing forms I will. </p>
<p>I will also be attending the CFA, and am male. Is it possible to get a dorm on-campus and relatively close to Purnell, if I’m sending in everything this late? I really didn’t have a choice about my deposit. After reading this thread, it seems like I’d be lucky to even get in one of the all-male dorms on the hill. I just do not want to be in an apartment–I simply can’t afford it.</p>
<p>I wanted Morewood E-Tower, but I know there is only one floor for males, so that’s out of the question. I would be fine with Donner or any other dorm as long as it’s on-campus, but it seems as if I will get an apartment because I’m sending in my deposit so late.</p>
<p>Because we still need to speak with the school one last time, I probably will not be able to put the deposit in until tomorrow night. Though I’ll see if I can do some convincing to get it in tonight :)</p>
<p>To the kids who check Amy Revak’s blog for housing information - My friends and I took pictures of our Mudge rooms today and she’s going to be uploading them shortly. The incredibly messy quad you’ll be seeing is my room. We’re cool like that.</p>
I think you did some reading between the lines and perhaps misunderstood what was actually written.</p>