Wash U is by far my top choice school, and in a perfect world, I’d apply ED. Unfortunately, my family will receive little to no need-based aid and does not feel comfortable committing to such a steep price tag. (Prior to this year, income was around 250 K, just dropped down to about 130 K with high, potentially increasing medical bills. The net price calculator does not indicate any need-based awards even though my parents would quite literally have to sell our house to finance my college education.) My parents want me to apply ED because of the increased acceptance rate/peace of mind, but I know we can’t afford this.
Would applying ED to Wash U affect merit aid awards? An admissions officer told me that the merit aid committee is separate from the admissions committee, and would thus have no knowledge of the students’ commitment (or lack of) to Wash U. To be honest, I find that hard to believe. Why would Wash U give merit aid to students who are already committed? Why not use the money as a tool to lure high performing RD students with other acceptances to the school?
I don’t know what to do, I guess I’m just wondering if anyone knows the proportion of ED students awarded merit aid in relation to the rest of the incoming class.
If you apply ED, by when do you have to accept? And do you get to make that decision with the financial aid package in hand or at least an early read? And if you apply to any of the scholarships, when will you know that you have been selected?
I’ll be honest- ED is a great strategy for kids that don’t need any financial aid and don’t need to compare packages. And also a good strategy for very high stats kids that need a lot of financial aid and apply to a 100% meets financial needs with no loans school (not many of those).
ED is really not a good strategy for kids that need to compare financial aid packages.
Really looked into this with my S, who did use ED and got one his reach but we are full pay. My D does not want to go that route and honestly I glad. ED is a huge commitment. Although you can get out of the contract it has repercussions.
Schools really frown on students who clearly will get no need based aid who apply ED, then want to back out for financial reasons. Ignore the pressure from your family. If you aren’t a good enough applicant to get in RD, you probably aren’t going to get merit aid anyway. Show them love (interest does matter), but also apply to more schools where merit is more likely.
You got it… Merit aid is a recruitment tool. If the trapper already has the prey in the bag (i.e. binding decision w no request for FA), then why dangle bait?