<p>if you apply to a need-based aid only school where you are somewhat "overqualified" in terms of ecs, sats, etc. you will get more money than at a reach school?
also if a more well regarded school such as williams accepts and offers more aid than a less well regarded school that you really want to go to, ie bryn mawr, could you tell bryn mawr about the aid situation at the other school, your desire to attend bmc over willimas, and then expect to get mroe aid?</p>
<p>It may/could be. Some call it preferential packaging.</p>
<p>The world of FAid & merit aid is really difficult for ANY of us to predict. I have read of some folks who have gotten better offers when they let "similar" schools know about other offers they have received. Other folks have said that they have had no success with this.</p>
<p>I'd suggest you be sure to apply to at least two financial safeties you LOVE & can afford. Our S applied to several schools that are considered similar & compete with each other for students. Some of the schools were interested in knowing merit offers he received (tho they officially were not interested--they did match the offers).</p>
<p>I have read some folks who have been very pleased with FAid offered by Williams--said to be one of the more generous FAid ivies.</p>