I am running Net Cost Estimators one more time before my DD20 submits her applications this fall and I see that Emory now has two options to estimate costs. Both seem to not include any scholarships since neither asks for SAT/ACT or GPA information (edit: and there is a scholarship note in small print) and both result in a substantially higher number than the past tool even though COA has not increased proportionately. Anyone else experiencing the same? If so, I am really glad that we have so many match and likely schools on the list. The Quick tool at least gives a range of possibilities but the mid to upper range is in the “not a good financial decision” range IMHO.
Emory is a need based school when it comes to financial aid, so grades and SAT scores only count in the admissions decision. The financial aid office is separate. There is an Emory Scholars element, but it is a competitive process and cannot be counted on. Not sure what you mean by the “past tool” since being need based is not new for Emory. I certainly wouldn’t describe Emory as a tough place for even upper middle class to get scholarships, but certainly there are other schools out there that may offer an applicant more to lure him or her to their school.
Thank you @ljberkow. I agree with all your comments. I was just surprised to see a much higher number than 9 months ago. The range that the Quick Cost Estmator now gives is, and probably always was, more realistic but given that it is new all hopefuls should run those numbers again and confirm their list will have a variety of options once all the application and FA/scholarship results are in.
@Cheeringsection I am not sure which tools you are referring to. I just see the NPC, which I ran a while back and did again today with similar results. I would not make any decisions based on a “quick tool” (assuming that it is different from the NPC), but would go through the work of using the NPC which takes into account your income, assets, family situation, etc. This will be more similar to what they actually offer you, if admitted.
@fl1234 here is the press release from Emory. I’ve seen this tool on other schools as well. https://news.emory.edu/stories/2018/09/upress_myintuition_cost_estimator/campus.html.
Edited to add list of schools: https://myintuition.org/schools/
And here is the more traditional NPC link: https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/emory
@Cheeringsection Thanks for the link to the quick cost estimator. I ran it using the same financial numbers that I used in the NPC and the quick estimator is much more favorable. The Estimated Grant in the NPC (equivalent to Need Based Scholarship in the quick model) is closest to the “High” category in the quick model. Actually, the NPC Grant is about 10% less than the Scholarship amount in the High category. So, the NPC is a bit worse then the worst case in the quick model.
Bottom line, I would not base any decisions on the quick model and if finances are that important, have a discussion with the university to see what is the best way to model the financial aid package. Say, if you are going to do a binding admission application.
No binding application from here since DD does need to compare FA offers. Her current goal is medschool so she needs to be thoughtful about how she spends her 529 balance. If she gets in RD (and we know that is a big IF) we will discuss with the school as you suggest.