<p>If there is 1 college I absolutely want to attend, how do I let it be known to them that if they give me the right amount of financial aid I will attend. Should I make that known in my essays?</p>
<p>you should make it known anywhere you can. usually i'd write it in my "why [school name]" or in teh additional info section/</p>
<p>ummm apply ED?!</p>
<p>Contact admissions people and professors. Email the office, or if they have a "more information" form on the internet with a comment box, tell them this is your absolute #1 school and you want to know as much about it as possible. Write to the professors in your intended field, if there's more than one you might even get something back (that depends on the college; Scripps responded the next day but I'm still waiting on Vassar).</p>
<p>They might not remember you, but there could be some subliminal residue left from seeing your name over and over :) Plus, if the application asks "How did you learn about us?" You can put that you corresponded with the faculty and give names. Subversive tactics, yes, but it gives an edge over the people who fill in the application and leave it at that. Go get 'em!</p>
<p>Thank you tkm, cool2bars I cant apply ED because of financial constraints.</p>
<p>I'm just curious, in contacting admissions people what would one say. I cant really think of anything really.</p>
<p>I would say the only way to really express it would be through ED. It seems that this is out of choice though, so that really knocks out them thinking they are your number one. TKM recommended writing it down in the app., the problem with that is in most cases it tends to get get kinda winney, and makes you sound desperate. Almost in the since that you yourself feel you don't have a good chance. </p>
<p>I would try to avoid the "Your my Number 1 School" and worry more about your stats and EC's. I mean if it was WashU, that might be a different story, but just focus on school and you'll be fine.</p>
<p>When you write to admissions people or professors, if you keep your tone mature and professional, it won't become whiney. I usually say something the lines of,</p>
<p>"Dear Sir or Madam,</p>
<p>My name is [blank], and I am a senior at [blank] High School in [city, state]. I am very interested in attending [insert school here] next year. I plan to major in [blank] and I heard that your school has a wonderful program, plus [positive aspects of school: campus, faculty, etc.].</p>
<p>Though I cannot apply Early Decision for financial reasons, [this school] is my first choice. I plan to [visit/interview/contact a student] soon to learn more about the school (or I visited/interviewed/contacted a student and really loved the school). May I have some more information on [financial aid, the admissions process, or ask for a viewbook]?</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Sincerely,
[name]</p>
<p>Edit: I think there was a misunderstanding. I don't recommend putting "You're my top choice!" on the application itself, that's in bad taste. You know when you go to a college website, they have a "request more information" link somewhere and you fill out a form and sometimes there's a comment box, sorry if that got confused with the "Additional Information" box on the app. What you can put is that you had correspondence with this or that person.</p>
<p>tell ur guidance counselor to write it in his recommendation. I guess as long ur from a respected school, n the guidance counselor is known to those schools, they will believe tht it is ur first choice, n tht mite give u some edge.</p>
<p>Visit, take the tour, spend the night. Sit in on a class. When the college has info sessions at your high school or in your area, attend. Know who the admissions officer is for your area, get their business card. If they have on line chats, participate.</p>
<p>Don't just write a letter to admissions stating that school is your first choice, demonstrate the school is your first choice. Sorry TKM, this is not a good letter as it sounds woe is me and because most of the information you are requesting is easily available and can be requested using the schools website. It will demonstrate that you are not doing your homework. The school will send it as a courtesy, because that is what they do.</p>
<p>If there is a particular subject you are interested in at the college, learn more about it. Make contact with the professor, learn about the research. Look up the books they have written on the topic. If you are visiting, sit in on their class. Take the opportunity to introduce your self and strike up a conversation.</p>
<p>If you get the opportunity to interview, do so. Make sure you mention why the school appeals to you (other than it's an ivy, top 25 blah blah).</p>
<p>Hm, the letter thing seems to be working out for me, but maybe that's because I'm on the other side of the country from the colleges I'm applying to and it's next to impossible to stay overnight or even visit (plane fees, other lodging, transportation, plus it's during school....)</p>
<p>I also have an issue that isn't addressed on websites or viewbooks, that I want to double major in music performance and neuroscience. I really need to know if that is feasible within the structure of the departments. I've gotten some personal letters back saying "No, that's very difficult and you should choose" or "Yes! That's one of the great aspects of our school..." So if you have something quirky, and it's obviously not something you can find with research, ask it.</p>
<p>Anyway, you need to contact the admissions office regarding a visit to the school. Email and ask for an interview and express your enthusiasm there.</p>
<p>sybbie: Why does it sound "woe is me"? Because you mention finances? If that's the case, you can just leave that out and put "I cannot apply Early Decision, but this school is still my top choice." They probably won't delve too much into it anyway.</p>
<p>Important Note: The letter-writing thing applies to LACs and state universities, not Ivys. I haven't dared to write to a Yale professor or anything, but the representatives at IU Bloomington, Amherst, Scripps and Vassar (not the Vassar professor, though) seemed very excited to have personal contact with a person interested in the school.</p>
<p>So Refresh, what school are you talking about? That would play a great part in your approach.</p>
<p>George Washington</p>
<p>Oy, that changes, then. George Washington is a big school, half graduates. They probably have a specific committee for undergraduate admissions, but the same rules don't apply as for Amherst.</p>
<p>Follow what Sybbie said, and it couldn't hurt to email the admissions people. The problem is, it might not have that much of an impact, whatever you do, because they're so gosh-darn big. The professors probably have enough trouble getting to know the people in their classes. So do whatever you can, and maybe it'll stick.</p>
<p>
[quote]
sybbie: Why does it sound "woe is me"? Because you mention finances? If that's the case, you can just leave that out and put "I cannot apply Early Decision, but this school is still my top choice."
[/quote]
</p>
<p>because the ivies and the elite LACs are need blind so your financial status is really not going to be held against you in the admissions process. </p>
<p>In addition many schools: Dartmouth, Williams, Amherst, Harvard, Yale, Princeton have economic thresholds in place and policies for low income students that if admitted, you will have reduced EFC, no loans, etc. This information is listed on their websites. you should also reseach the schools common data set if this information is available.</p>
<p>Will normally I am amongst the onces that recommend if money is a factor do not apply ED, one should also be doing extensive research on the school(s) (including the FA policies) they are considering. This includes knowing If the school meets 100% of your demonstrated need, the average amount of grant aid given, percent of students receiving pell grants and the average amount of debt a student graduates with. They also have pretty accurate FA calculators if you are putting in the correct information.</p>
<p>In addtion, many schools as part of their diversity initiatives include low-income students and offer free fly-in programs, which in doing extensive research on your schools, you find the schools that offer them.</p>
<p>There is a difference between asking about a specific program that you are interested in and the infomation isn't readily available vs. asking a question where the information is there.</p>
<p>Regarding GWU, if money is an issue, then you really need to have a variety of schools.</p>
<p>Based on thier common data set, for freshman the average grant aid is $15,000 . Average self help aid $6,323 average need base loan 5417, (cost of attendance is close to $49,000). </p>
<p><a href="http://www.gwu.edu/%7Eire/financial_aid.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.gwu.edu/~ire/financial_aid.htm</a></p>
<p>The school does not meet 100% of demonstrated need so there may be a gap thay you cannot afford to fill.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gwu.edu/%7Eire/financial_aid.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.gwu.edu/~ire/financial_aid.htm</a></p>
<p>The school states in their FA policies that even if you are eligible for more than one award you can only choose one (I beleive their top award tops out at $20,000). All the best</p>
<p>Normally your GC will reveal which school is your first choice in their recommendation to said school. Additionally, at least at my school and some others, the colleges call up the college office to see if their school is the number one of the applicant. Sort of like what we saw in The Gatekeepers.</p>
<p>perhaps I'll try and make it known in the GW supplement to the common app where it asks "What most influenced you to apply to GWU?"
Maybe if I know a lot about the school that will show a strong interest.</p>
<p>send them love letters and a mixed CD</p>
<p>Definitely the GC or maybe even or teachers.</p>