@ucbalumnus Good point about the financial aspect of it.
I have a financial question. I am applying to LACs where I’m above 75 percentile, hoping to get merit aid. However, I will likely need need based aid as well.S hould I call and see if the schools I’m applying to for the sole purpose of merit aid, and cheaper Undergrad costs, offer merit aid to cover the gap my need-based cannot or if they apply merit aid firstly then need?
If they do the latter, then it isn’t worth applying to such schools, correct?