<p>My D received a decent merit aid award from Bryn Mawr (no need-based aid for us alas), but higher merit aid elsewhere; in the case of one peer school substantially higher. I was wondering how successful others have been leveraging other schools’ merit aid offers into an improved offer from Bryn Mawr. Specifically - which other schools would Bryn Mawr consider peer for these purposes? How willing is Bryn Mawr’s financial aid office to discuss raising the offer if pressed? And how close are they willing to go to another school’s offer?</p>
<p>Obviously I’d prefer answers from people with experience to people who speculate, but I’ll take speculation too :)</p>
<p>I didn’t get any merit from Bryn, but Boston U offered me $20,000. I know they’re not exactly a “peer” institution, but they do have a lower acceptance rate than BMC. I emailed admissions about it, and have not heard back.</p>
<p>YES YES YES. Same problem.
I got into Cornell, and their financial package is sooo much sweeter, but I’d rather be in Bryn Mawr. Was considering e-mailing/calling, so do tell how it goes. </p>
<p>My daughter received a much higher merit scholarship to Mount Holyoke than the one she received for Bryn Mawr. As they are both seven sisters school I considered them peer college, so I though Bryn Mawr might consider matching the higher scholarship. I contacted admissions by email and alas two weeks later I have not heard back. I researched exactly how to phrase the email, but now think that it may have been better if my daughter contacted them. I know others have been successful negotiating merit scholarships at other colleges, so I consider it worth doing after all ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’. </p>