<p>it is not a fact that EA is need blind.They state that they would like to be .application clearly states that you enter a more competitive pool if you need FA.</p>
<p>most schools are need based, and they do say that applying for FA will put you in a more competitive pool of applicants, but that level of competition varies. Look and see how many students receive FA at said school. I know where I went, Mercersburg, more than 40% of students were on FA, and many others applied for the Regents Merit and Lenfest Legacy scholarships.</p>
<p>hsmom- My D went to Interlochen, if you have any questions about it. It's an amazing place.</p>
<p>blairt- re: your comment about the '08 kid at Blair Academy. I assure you, if the young man had done something "horrible" he would not have been welcomed back at Blair. If he had a substance violation (pot etc) and had to leave, if he showed the proper remediation, he would be allowed to come back the next fall. It is not about "money" at all- it is about recognizing that kids make mistakes and, in the appropriate cases, giving second chances.</p>
<p>Also worth mentioning is that need blind schools can, and often do, "meet your need" with loans.</p>
<p>Are there any merit (or non-ethnic) scholarships at AES other than the Classical Honors program at SPS?</p>
<p>PA has a small 10% grant if you play certain sports.</p>
<p>If it is at all possible, try to visit a few of the schools you like in May. Many schools seem different on paper than they do when you actually visit. This will help you narrow your list and help set priorities for the fall. A few schools allowed me and my son to look in May when he was in 7th grade. He took the tour but not the interview. It was very helpful.</p>
<p>The Greenes' Guide is helpful for someone just starting out. Just a side note: Howard Greene is a trustee at Choate, so the book has a bit of a Choate bias. Now you know why.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I am not sure if any schools are need-blind, but I have been told that some have better FA possiblities and some are working towards being need-blind.</p>
<p>I am not sure if we can see many of the schools -- but we will try.</p>
<p>I am definitely getting the Greene book (I will keep in mind the bias).</p>
<p>I will do some checking on the FA for the Quaker schools -- that would make a difference, since we are not Quakers.</p>