<p>Greetings,</p>
<p>Our son wants to major in Journalism and has been accepted into some top journalism programs. We are not eligible for financial aid and his first choice school offered a merit award that was considerably lower than one university and a bit lower than another. Is it appropriate to contact the top choice school to see if additional merit funding is available given these other awards? Any tips or pointers on having the conversation? Thanks...</p>
<p>Ross</p>
<p>Yes, it is appropriate and people have been successful at this. Does the first choice school consider itself a peer to the other two where he has offers, do you know? This can affect how you frame the conversation.</p>
<p>Hi and thanks for the reply...all three schools have recognized journalism programs. Without knowing for sure the top choice school and one of the other schools would be top-tier and the school offering the 25K award a small notch below. Is it appropriate to name the colleges on the board?</p>
<p>Many people do name the schools and if you do, readers may be able to share experiences particular to those schools, which would be helpful to you.</p>
<p>Reason some people don't name schools is to protect their kid's privacy, but that usually doesn't become an issue unless they share oodles of details.</p>
<p>We are in the same position. School #1 offered about 1/2 less of a merit award. Tried talking to them about it, and they did not seem to willing to budge. Told us to file the appeal form, but when you read it - they specifically say that they would not consider changing the initial offer simply because another school offers more. But, still worth a phone call. Good luck!</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>American U offered entry into the Honors college and 25K
Syracuse offered entry into the Newhouse School and 12K
Boston University offered 10K</p>
<p>BU is his first choice...BU does have another 1/2 tuition scholarship that he seems like he could qualify for. I think if they came somewhere between AU and Syracuse he would accept.</p>
<p>Thanks...</p>
<p>Hi, LISurfcaster, I think if you've got the time (ie, don't need to get on the phone first thing tomorrow morning), others will show up here with direct experience.</p>
<p>But I know that at my son's school, there was one top merit award that required a separate application and project, so I don't think one could negotiate up to that level. However, there were two other substantial ones, offered based just on the regular application, where my S had the higher level, $22K. I know that some students/families who got the lesser asked to be considered for that one and were successful. So one option is to ask if he could be reconsidered for the 1/2 tuition award.</p>
<p>I also think you could certainly let BU know that it is his first choice but offered the least in merit $$ and that he will go there if the $$ are workable.</p>
<p>What others might be able to advise from experience is whether you should name an amount, quote the exact amounts from the other schools, or which school's award might have the most influence. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>LISurfcaster, </p>
<p>Are the scholarships you noted total $ or guaranteed annual amounts? Because if they are annual guaranteed amounts, American U's offer would be real tough to pass up if you can't get the others to up the ante.</p>
<p>G</p>
<p>Hi...they are guaranteed annual amounts.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Reminds me of a good point - in addition to comparing the $$/year, you'll want to consider the GPA required for renewal. I don't know if "guaranteed" means no minimum GPA. But on this board we've seen required GPA's varying from say 2.7 (very doable in most any major) to 3.7 (very scary for any major, especially the notoriously low-grading ones like Engineering, to the point of almost being bait-and-switch).</p>
<p>All of the guaranteed amounts my daughter has received from prospective colleges require maintaining a GPA of 3.0. I've heard of others much higher (3.7) and look at those as the college betting that the prospective student can't maintain those grades. Not what I would call a healthy situation for the student .</p>
<p>G</p>
<p>A phone call to BU would be worth the time. In the past, there have been instances where they have adjusted awards for highly desirable students. I would, however, avoid using the word "negotiate" - and my first call would be the admissions office, explaining that BU is his top choice but he's being pulled by the other awards. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.</p>
<p>LISurfcaster - as it looks like you may be new to this board, I thought I'd let you know.... carolyn is widely (unanimously?) regarded as the resident expert around these parts. I think she made a mistake once, maybe, around post # 41 or something ;). Otherwise, she's pretty much always right on target. Thanks for posting, carolyn.</p>
<p>Although the money does sound VERY appealing at American I would seriously investigate what Newhouse has to offer both during the time there and opportunities after graduation.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for all the replies - they were all very helpful. We are awaiting final word from Boston College and I plan on contacting BU once we have all the responses. I think that the approach recommended by Carolyn makes alot of sense. Now we will have to see if I can pull it off!</p>
<p>Thanks again...</p>
<p>Ross</p>
<p>I also have to agree with bluejay. For journalism, I'd lean towards Newhouse over either BU or American. In the interest of disclosure, I am a Newhouse alum myself, but that is not the reason I am saying this - Newhouse just has a better j-school and more connections in the media industry. As Bluejay suggests, compare carefully.</p>
<p>jmmom, thanks for your kind words. My kids would die laughing to hear anyone say I am seldom wrong. :)</p>