<p>I'm a waitlisted RPI student who's enrolled to attend Umass Amherst (commonwealth honors college). </p>
<p>I'm pretty sure I don't want to go into engineering, but my interests are mainly in physics, chemistry, and math. </p>
<p>How good is the financial aid for students accepted off of RPI's waitlist? My income bracket is in the <40,000 range. </p>
<p>I really just want an end to this college application process, so I don't know if I really feel like going through with the effort and then risk disappointment by asking to get off their waitlist through a letter. But a part of me is also compelled to reconsider it since I haven't received a final rejection yet from. </p>
<p>I actually did better second semester of high school than first semester, receiving all A's in 4 AP classes and 2 dual enrollment classes 4th quarter (if you count the lab portion of Umass Lowell chem as a separate class lol) and I self studied for AP physics C mechanics and took that exam this year as well. I could possibly go to my guidance counselor tomorrow and request that I have my final transcripts sent. </p>
<p>The other option I'm considering is going to Umass Amherst for a year and transferring out.
I know RPI is much more prestigious than UMass and it's probably a better school academically, but again, I emphasize my doubt that they could provide me with better financial aid. I'll probably only have to pay around 6k/year including room and board for Umass. </p>
<p>Anyone got any good input for my situation?</p>
<p>Time to move on. UMass-Amherst is no slouch. S in similar situation. Waitlisted by first choice (Lehigh) and we can’t afford RPI (accepted), so he’s also going to UMass-Amherst. He’s accepted UMass as “his school” and and has put the other 2 in the rear view mirror.</p>
<p>It never hurts to ask. If you really want the school, then call them and ask about potential aid. It’s getting pretty late in the process, but before you shut the door it might be worth a call.</p>
<p>I had my guidance counselor send my final grades to RPI today.</p>
<p>I haven’t been taken off the waitlist and the way things are nowadays I probably won’t be.
Truth is, I don’t know what to tell them convince me to take me off the waitlist. I really can’t give them a passionate argument as to why I should be taken off their waitlist. I feel like my recent grades and the essays I originally submitted should speak for themselves. I could shoot the admissions office an email notifying them of my continuing interest, but unless they come through to me with aid, there’s no way I’ll attend. </p>
<p>I’ve learned to accept Umass Amherst, but the uncertainty with the RPI waitlist is bugging me. If given the chance I would attend, however, I just don’t feel like dealing with being in limbo like this.</p>
<p>Umass Amherst is a great choice, especially at $6k per year. With your family’s income bracket, even if RPI gives you some aid, you’re probably looking at big loans to attend. It’s not worth transferring, either.</p>
<p>You don’t need to have any regrets about RPI or the other wait-list schools. They have already indicated that you are qualified to attend, because they wait-listed you instead of rejecting you. Their wait-list decisions really depend on open slots and summer melt, not your qualifications. Even if you get accepted off one of the wait-lists, it would come down to finances, right? Umass Amherst still seems like the best choice.</p>