<p>Haberdashery,
I agree: write AND phone. And when you call, I just got some insight as a way to request the review of your finances.
These financial aid offices have to create financial aid "packages" for everybody who applies and asks for some money, which is perhaps 4x (I don't know Brandeis' multiplier, but you get the idea) the number of places they have.
So, how much time can they possibly devote to each package under that kind of "crunch"? A few minutes?? I don't know, but when you contact them put it into your mind that you're asking them for a "MORE CAREFUL REVIEW of your circumstances, that it is your first choice and if they make it more possible for you to attend, YOU WILL."
They might even ask you how much more you think you need (!) so be prepared with a figure instead of "um, i don't know..."<br>
Talk about anything specific re: family circumstances. Are your parents older, so can't work as long to pay back loans? Are there limits to what they can earn because of what they do for a living, no matter how hard they try?
What have sacrifices have they already made to demonstrate their priority on education (drive older cars, not take big vacations so you can have music lessons, etc).
Good luck.
It saves face and shows maturity if you show you understand that the aid package they offered was their best for that moment, and done when "everyone" applied last winter... but you hope NOW that their sincere applicants (like you) are making themselves known, they can REVIEW it. Ask when you'll hear back from them, so you can make a decision in time!!
"I want so much to go...can you make it more possible for me to attend?"</p>
<p>yeah, i agree but i was wondering if it would be too late to call them monday (4/30..yikes!) cuz i've already sent them a letter and copies of our tax statements and today, i had to submit my SIR to UCI but it's $120 so if i do get alot more financial aid from Brandeis than UCI, i'll definetly go :)</p>