Money for SMU?

<p>Southern Methodist University's my first choice, and I'd do anything to go there, but I'm having trouble with the cost. I've recieved better offers from other schools of similar rank: University of Tulsa gave me enough money that cover's 42% of their cost, and I can afford to go there now, but I'd much rather go to SMU. Here's my resume if that helps at all:</p>

<p>GPA: 4.05 / 4.50
ACT: 28
Class Rank: 39/401 (Top 10%)
AP Exams: 5 on US History and 5 on Psychology (I'll also have completed 7 AP classes throughout high school).
Major: Psychology & Spanish
- I won't go into extracurriculars, but I have an extensive history of leadership, including being a Spanish translator at a mission trip. </p>

<p>Schools I've Applied to:</p>

<p>Southern Methodist University (Accepted w/ scholarship)
University of Tulsa (Accepted w/ the best scholarship)
Clemson University (Accepted w/ scholarship)
Ole Miss (Accepted w/ scholarship)
Tulane University (Deferred - Won't hear from them until April 1st)
Vanderbilt University - Won't hear from them 'till April. Vandy used to be my top choice, but SMU beat them out; I went crazy for the Mustangs, haha.</p>

<p>SMU generously gave me their Provost's scholarship ($12,000 per year), but that covers 22% of the university's total cost, which I can't afford. They also invited me to be a Hilltop Scholar. I wrote my admissions counselor a letter explaining that SMU is my first choice, but I recieved a better offer from Tulsa. I was short in my letter, but I was really humble, and asked them to consider to try and match my other offers. Is it a good idea that I did this this? Has anyone done this before, and recieved more money?</p>

<p>Check your access.SMU and see if SMU has awarded you any financial aid yet!</p>

<p>I did! Excluding loans, I get 16000 total, including my scholarship. The extra 4000 is a work study, and since I might have to support a car, I don’t know if I can take it. The rest are loans, which I don’t want to take (I’m not getting into large debt throughout college). SMU might be able to pull out a departmental scholarship though, if they want me badly enough.</p>

<p>Oh, an if I do take the work study, it’s still only 28.5%, which I still can’t afford without taking out loans.</p>

<p>Good luck! Let me know how it turns out!</p>