<p>thanks all for your very helpful comments. We’ll try and see. Is there a way to know how much the college would want my D? she was accepted, but I think some students are more desirable than others. Again, thanks a lot.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Used properly, merit aid price discounting is a way to get a student to write a check for $37,000 who might not otherwise attend. While it’s not a check for the full-fare, it’s a nice chunk of cash-money for a seat at the college. An above average chunk of cash money. The average seat at an elite college is sold for $20,000 to $35,000 after price discounting.</p>
<p>To be sure, “merit aid” price discounting is offered to students who will raise the perceived quality of the college. It is often heavily SAT based.</p>
<p>BTW, I do have “a clue”. Do an internet search for “strategic financial aid consulting”.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.scannellkurz.com/PDF/Hobart_and_William_Smith_Colleges.pdf[/url]”>http://www.scannellkurz.com/PDF/Hobart_and_William_Smith_Colleges.pdf</a></p>
<p>BTW, any of you every wonder what in the heck Emory does with the information from that stack of postage-paid return cards they ask prospects to keep sending back to show their continued interest? Anybody think that Emory’s incredible “interest tracking software” is tied into their multi-level merit aid program?</p>
<p>nysmile…because it is not just about filling seats. Colleges want to fill their spaces with the most qualified candidates they can. That is one way they will move up in the rankings. </p>
<p>They want their SAT and GPA scores to reflect the highest possible average, and some colleges are willing to entice candidates who are above their 75th%ile to accomplish that. It is not about whether others who are less qualified can afford to attend.</p>
<p>I live in a community that is mid-upper class. Many students cannot get financial aid, but yet it is difficult for many families to afford privates without merit aid. And yes, there is negotiation and counter-offers among schools for top students. I would go through both admissions and financial aid offices. You will need to be able to provide proof of other offers from schools that are of comparable (or higher) rank. You will not be able to get a school to change their policy if they don’t give merit aid. But if they do, there is often room for negotiation.</p>
<p>An article on pricing by Morty Schapiro (President of Williams College and soon, Northwestern) and Michael McPherson (President of Macalaster College), both of whom have more than a clue about college strategic pricing and financial aid.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.collegenews.org/prebuilt/daedalus/mcpherson_article.pdf[/url]”>http://www.collegenews.org/prebuilt/daedalus/mcpherson_article.pdf</a></p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I don’t think the private colleges outside of the top are so sure they have waiting list of fulls pays ready to write the check. This is why many actually raised their FA budgets this year and are offering more merit aid, or discounts.</p>
<p>I think most will be happy to get majority pays. Let’s face it, this is business and times are tough. I think for most building a class will have to take a back seat to remaining solvent.</p>
<ol>
<li>Thanks to the Power that may be, that we have a healthy son.</li>
<li>Thanks to Son for being so wonderful.</li>
<li>Thanks to the Employer who gave us the means to have a family</li>
<li><p>Thanks to the University he attended for the opportunities and great learnings.</p></li>
<li><p>Last. Although we did not qualify, we give Thanks to the University for giving son a small grant, which they did not have to do, but we do very much appreciate and in time, repay.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Now tell me, DS, why you want to go to this school when the other this other school that will save us $$,$$$$ !</p>
<p>Both my kids received their merit offers within a week of the acceptance or along with the acceptance packet. But UMiami first offered 3/4 tuition, and weeks later sent my son an invitation to come “interview” for the Singer Scholarship (full tuition). UMiami put on a great weekend, and I could be wrong, but I think everyone who attended was offered full tuition. Another school (Case Western maybe?) did the same thing without requiring the interview weekend. They simply sent a letter upping the merit $ to the top award. Both of those upgrades came AFTER Ivy decisions came out but long before decisions had to be made. So it IS possible to get an upgrade or your merit award.</p>
<p>There is a big difference between a school offering an increase on their own and the applicant asking for an increase after the fact.</p>
<p>Interesteddad-I agree with your insights, pricing model, and how colleges go about assembling a class using discounts to entice certain kids to attend. You obviously DO have more than “a clue” and I hope that you will continue to share your knowledge with us in this forum.</p>