<p>I am probably applying to Duke ED. They say they meet 100% of the financial need and my EFC is affordable. I have about $15,000 EFC, so my family is by no means able to pay $50,000 for Duke. But, they do say they meet 100% of the need, so I feel assured that I can afford it if I happened to get accepted and they do not lie to us with the 100% met.</p>
<p>I visited last weekend and it was amazing, so I would truly love to apply ED there and hopefully increase my already slim chances. I am not stellar in some areas of my application and I'm hoping that applying ED will give me the boost I need.</p>
<p>I think you answered your own question; you truly love the school. I can’t attest to their financial aid, but if you love it and filled out the FA calculator accurately, I don’t see why they would give you anything substantially lower.</p>
<p>When I visited Duke Admissions, I believe that they stated that if you needed FA ED was not the way to go, and that you should apply RD. If you want to take a risk though, go for it.</p>
<p>I could be wrong, but I’m 95% sure they stated that on a brochure or in a presentation. I mean they have good FA, but I’m pretty sure they said if you need serious FA, go RD.</p>
<p>Maybe y’all should read the Instructions for the Early Decision Agreement form in the Common Application! If you are not offered an award that makes attending possible then you are released from the ED commitment! Good lesson - read & understand what you what you have to sign!</p>
<p>Can your guidnce counselor read? The form on the common app is pretty straight forward with not a whole lot of room for interpertation. You, your parents & guidance counselor all need to sign this form.</p>
<p>call the financial aid office. See if they will discuss your situation. Have you done the net price calculator? Every school must have it up by end of the month.</p>
<p>I am posting the obvious! Why get freaked out by the process if you are not going to do the due diligence (ie. READ the forms you are required to SIGN).</p>
<p>I am pretty familiar with Duke’s financial aid and can attest that it is very competitive with the aid given from other peer institutions - that is, other Ivies below HYP. Make sure to run your numbers through Duke’s Net Price Calculator (NOT the FAFSA calculators). Assuming “normal” income and assets, you will get a pretty accurate estimate. If you have a financial situation that is uncommon, I would suggest calling their office directly to discuss with them. They are very helpful and open to discussion. Here is another thread that answers in more detail:</p>
<p>As you will hear from many on these boards, applying ED takes away any ability to compare aid offers at other schools - so if you REALLY need to find the BEST financial aid offer, you should apply RD. Then you can compare offers and often “negotiate” the best offer with some schools. However, I can tell you that Duke will offer you the same financial aid package whether you apply ED or RD.</p>
<p>“You can leave the binding ED if you can’t afford it.” Sarora is correct. Thay cannot make you attend if they do not give you enough financial aid. If your family cannot afford it with the financial aid, you can mmet with the FA Office and get out of the “binding” E.D. Price is a material term to any contract. There can be no meeting of the minds without agreement on a known price.</p>
<p>The only problem with this is you compress your time to find alternate schools that are affordable. All the more reason to have a safety you can afford.</p>
<p>Duke is a personal choice and you don’t have to worry about ED. Firstly, it is up to you to decide whether the FA is sufficient. At 99.9% of colleges they will honor your word. You say “I can’t pay this” and you are released. They’re not going to fight you in court for releasing for FA reasons. As long as my EFC is under the cost of attendance, even by $2000, I can say “you didn’t give me that 2K so I’m out.” Unless they do fight you in court, which they won’t 100% (you don’t have a TON of money, even then).</p>