<p>How easy would it be to negotiate with the financial aid office? I'd originally been estatic about Swarthmore, but just recently I was offered a full ride to Amherst. I hadn't appreciated Amherst much before. In fact, I probably thought more about SUNY Binghamton than Amherst and never thought I'd go there.</p>
<p>Just yesterday I was convinced I'd go to Swarthmore, too. I was excited about Philly, about its various departments, about the arboretum, about RTT, and now this factors in.</p>
<p>So how much less would Amherst cost you than Swarthmore? For most students, I'd say it should be straight up - I can't imagine one choosing to pay much of a premium for one over the other - they aren't THAT different. </p>
<p>Anyhow, call 'em up - say you wanna go to Swat, tell him you need more money, tell 'em what Amherst gave you, and let the chips fall where they may. You're already a winner!</p>
<p>I saw this somewhere else and loved it...</p>
<p>Call it re-evaluating, not negotiating.</p>
<p>Thanks, Nickleby. I'll probably do that. And yes, I'll call it re-evaluating instead of negotiating. </p>
<p>The thing is, this decision is still going to be agonizing, barring financial aid. I figure that the difference in the aid isn't too bad, and that I can handle it. I'm just really confused. I change my mind about every three hours. I need a Swat-herst or something, since they're both great schools, and I am going to have separation anxiety in parting with either one.</p>
<p>I don't suppose things wen't well, if you don't mind me asking?</p>
<p>Mostly, I just have to finish deciding. Arggg.</p>
<p>lol they went all right, even without any effort on my part.</p>
<p>I finished deciding today. And it feels so much better. <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>"I don't suppose things wen't well"</p>
<p>Well, my wanting to negotiate the fin aid thing was much much earlier in the month. Financial aid with Swat worked itself out, what with the Swat Scholar thing.</p>
<p>allure, what did you decide?</p>
<p>As of now (things could still change, but it's not too likely) I've decided to go through with my decision about Amherst. These past two days I've been calling up both schools to ask more questions. Also made a pro and con list about both schools. I don't think I can go wrong with Amherst. Sure, the partying to a point of excess was a con for me, but the other pros outweighed it. </p>
<p>My mom is still trying to convince me to go to Swarthmore, because having no loans really appeals to her, and we're having an income increase for '05 so fin. aid would change. My dad is being supportive, though he likes both schools.</p>
<p>Swarthmore is a wonderful school, and truly unique. At the moment, however, Amherst "fits" a bit better.</p>
<p>Although I think at this point that I have eliminated Amherst (had to eliminate some), would you mind humoring me with a short reason "why" Amherst? Thanks.</p>
<p>Since this is Swat's board, I put the reasons on the Amherst board. :) Nickleby, I think you're headed to Swat. That's where you seem most attracted to.</p>
<p>Wow, this sounds familiar. I'll be heading to Amherst also--for me, it all came down to an exhorbitant Swarthmore price. I was tremendously disappointed at first, but I'm sure Amherst will be a great place too. Hope to see you there!</p>
<p>Yeah, dawntiger, I know exactly how you feel. It's a little hard to move on. The Dean called me again today, and I feel very bad about having to say no, about dragging them into my indecision, and so on. </p>
<p>"After all that agony," he said. :( </p>
<p>Well, on the bright side, I know that Swat will still remain the vibrant intellectual community that it is, and someone deserving may be let off the waitlist.</p>
<p>All right. No more games of "but what if".</p>
<p>Amherst is one of the best schools in the country. Statistically, it is virtually identical to Swarthmore. I'm sure that both of you will have a blast.</p>
<p>Dawntiger: I think you'd have to be nuts to pay a ton more to go to Swat over Amherst. The two schools are too similar. Same price? Then, you pick the one that feels right to you.</p>