<p>I've been looking around for some schools to use as semi-backups (like a second tier before resigning to New Mexico schools). NYU, with its exemplary economics program, placement in downtown New York and (relative) ease of admission naturally caught my attention.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I come from a less-than-affluent family and therefore can't pay staggering tuition. Upon review of their financial aid policies, I realized that they aren't nearly as comprehensive as are schools of comparable cost (e.g., Columbia U).</p>
<p>A thought occurred, though. Does NYU offer a diverse array of Merit-Based scholarships and, if so, how hard are they to attain and what do they generally constitute?</p>
<p>Furthermore, will NYU "aid-bargain" if I have better offers from other schools?</p>
<p>Xiexie.</p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>Only some of the majors have some merit scholarships…and they’re given to top few percent of students.</p>
<p>GPA: 4.1 (w) 3.95 (uw)
SAT: 2220
EC: Various; BSA, Chem. Olympics, Tennis, XC, MUN, Track, Science Bowl, Honor’s Society etc. I have received honors/awards/leadership positions in all non-athletic activities.
Hooks: Int’l experience (spent a year in The Netherlands and a year in China)
Hispanic American.
Those are my very basic watered down stats… do they look good enough? Do you happen to know off of the top of your head which majors offer merit scholarships?</p>
<p>The problem is that with NYU’s sticker price, even a $25,000 merit scholarship leaves you a $25,000 gap to fill. Full-ride merit awards are comparatively rare.</p>
<p>Aid bargaining generally requires a funded offer from a superior or directly-equivalent school. That is, if you get a full ride to UNM, NYU isn’t really going to care - unless they really really want you for some reason.</p>
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<p>Very true. When I called to ask about the merit award in CAS, I got very vague answers. Apparently there is no set GPA/test scores to qualify. I do recall being told that even some valedictorians with 2400 SAT’s do not receive them.</p>
<p>I don’t think a 2200 is high enough for big merit from NYU. </p>
<p>The int’l travel isn’t a hook…and I don’t think being Hispanic is a hook for NYU because it already gets a good many Hispanics…9% Hispanic at NYU…which is pretty good.</p>
<p>Apply and see what happens…but likely it won’t give you the merit you want.</p>
<p>What is your major/intended career?</p>
<p>I was mainly asking to see if it was a viable alternative to full-coverage financial aid given by other universities.</p>
<p>If scholarships there are that hard to come by, it seems better to just rule it out of my application pool.</p>
<p>Thanks, guys</p>
<p>if you’re a national merit finalist, some schools open their coffers.</p>
<p>Give it a whirl. You have favorable geographics, your stats are good. As long as you have your financial base covered, there 's no reason why you should not have a few lottery tickets on your list. I have known some kids who did well with NYU’s merit/aid packages.</p>