In terms of financial need affecting admissions decisions, while I can’t say this specifically for StO, at other need aware schools that discussed this at info sessions, they said needing aid only adversely effects a small number of kids at the end of the admissions cycle. Sounded like it is more likely to effect the RD pool versus the ED pool, as that is when they are wrapping up the budget.
40 minutes until we get notification from Earlham. This is the most important one IMO.
Sending positive thoughts! Do you know if they will tell you your FA today or will you have to wait?
Please update when you’re able. Hoping for good news and an opportunity for your family to celebrate.
My mom grew up in a quaker church (they call themselves “Friends”) and we still go to her old church, now that my folks live in my mom’s old hometown.
There is the Quaker “quiet time”, during which people can stand up and give testimony or just be silent… but there is also a sermon, hymns, prayer, and an offering. In other words, it is not much unlike most other Protestant services. The service lasts about an hour, which is also par for the course.
Quakers are anti-violence, pro-temperance, and pro-charity. When i was a little boy, my mom’s mom did not like it one bit when i got one of those suction-tipped bow-and-arrow sets. lol. but she had a good sense of humor about it. I also rode on a float in the local LTL (Ladies’ Temperance League) parade when i was maybe 5…
My D’s friend goes to a Quaker HS and hardly any of the students are actually Quakers. I assume it’s the same at Earlham?
@citymama9 There’s a possibility we might know scholarship information today but that is not at all the full picture and I believe what I’m hearing from other sources and what heard from the admissions people, they are going to meet full need.
But bigger than that, and I know I’ve tried to paint a picture of my daughter here, but I probably am not doing a good job. This is a fit. I don’t even think she realizes how much of fit it is.
She will the minute she steps foot on campus…
@Grinnellhopeful did you get notification yet?
@Emsmom1 Oh my gosh, not yet. Admissions said it would be up at 5:00PM. I assume that was eastern time because they are in eastern time zone. But I know She’s not the only one who hasn’t gotten their notification yet. This is painful…
Hang in there! Either Earlham or St. Olaf would be great for your daughter.
@ZZdecision2016 Thank you! Let’s hope they also think she is a great fit for them. They have not released decisions on the portal yet. I don’t know if they’re just running behind or if they’ll wait until tomorrow. Soooo stressful.
Fingers crossed for a good result!
Update - Kinda, maybe? Within the last 20-30 minutes I got an email from financial aid asking me for these two verification forms. My D and I have only received that request from schools that accepted her. There is a student ID # in the email!! The portal still isn’t updated though.
For some reason we got flagged with the FASFA, they want my D’s W2 info from 2016. She didn’t work I’m 2016, so she doesn’t have any W2s. She just has to check a box that said she didn’t earn income in 2016 and signs it, sends it back.
I’ve been told they still process the financial aid without it they just won’t disperse it. We will print it out and sign it tonight and get it back, ASAP.
I’m literally crying, I’m so happy and relieved.
Even though it’s not up in the portal…once it’s there I don’t think it’s a maybe. I really doubt it’s a maybe now, because of the student ID and because only schools that accepted her asked for this verification form.
It’s time to withdraw other apps. Nobody else is going to meet full but Earlham. And St. Olaf. I think we’re down to two.
And I’ve been saying for weeks now, I think this is her place. She committed ED at StO but if she isn’t in there, this is it.
Student ID # means yes, right?
Be patient. Your daughter doesn’t have to withdraw other applications and acceptances until she Is accepted ED2, if she is.
Don’t do anything until you have that acceptance in hand…with aid.
Wow, I agree. Do not withdraw ANYTHING at this point. Remember that colleges accept more students than they intend to have attend. You aren’t taking anyone’s spot by having her hang onto her acceptances for now. She hasn’t set foot on any of these campuses – you have fallen in love with Earlham without a visit. Until she has an ED acceptance from St. Olaf and a FA package in hand that works, don’t do a thing with any of them. If she doesn’t get into St. O, don’t withdraw from anyplace until she has visited the school she thinks she will attend. Schools very occasionally come up with a little more money late in the cycle, too. Don’t panic or rejoice. Just sit tight and wait.
@intparent we aren’t playing fast and loose with ED if we get the FA packages before StOs package if she’s accepted there. Do you agree with me?
I wish the portal would update so we can call this official. But this is the most peaceful I have felt since 10/15/2016
This is a win. This is a gift and I don’t have one hesitation or doubt about this school.
They told me if she was accepted they will fly her in. I hope that is soon.
YES you are still playing fast and loose with ED. If the packages are close, you are really required to pick St. O.
But that is not what my post was about. You have NO REASON to withdraw anyplace now. Every single college can wait until 5/1 for an answer. The only reason you should withdraw early is IF St O accepts her with a workable package. Once you’ve seen that package and confirmed it is workable, then you need to withdraw from everyplace else, including Earlham. If she doesn’t get into St. O (or it is not affordable), then she should let all her acceptances and aid packages play out before, and visit her top choice(s) before making a decision.
You’re so excited about Earlham now, yet your ED binding app is with St Olaf. I agree that it makes sense to feel some relief to have Earlham as a back up, but you do realize that your D won’t be going there if St Olaf comes through? This is exactly why posters were saying not to go ED to St. Olaf sight unseen. What if Earlham matches the financial package and it’s a better fit? Doesn’t matter. D has to go to St. Olaf.
Wait until the ED admission and FA are officially delivered (not just hinted at by other document requests) before withdrawing other applications.
@homerdog my relief is my relief. She signed the ED agreement, she knows. But I feel better. And I have always loved this school.
And we don’t know if she will get into St. Olaf. But I get to take a minute and breathe. I get to take a minute and rest as a parent. Because I know, or I hope I know here in a minute, that she’s in a really good school that she’s going to be well taken care of and challenged and nurtured. And will not require 10,000 a year in loans.
I can be excited about that without doing anything wrong. If she got accepted into both places I’m sure she will do what she’s supposed to do.
But I get to feel good for a minute. If we have more than one choice, one acceptance, then we’re even more blessed. But there’s a lot of people on this thread that don’t think she has a shot at StO. In the meantime between now and February 1 actually a little longer whenever we get the financial package if accepted. I can breathe. I can feel like we really got something done. And I can be grateful.
Please don’t rain on my parade. All of you that have helped with this should be taking a moment and celebrating.