<p>First off, I apologize if there has already been something posted on here before regarding this question. I did a search and nothing came up. We are "rookies" with this whole process - 1st and only child (D) going off to college in the fall. She has been accepted at 5 schools, we did the CSS and FAFSA (our EFC is whacked - LOL!), and are now awaiting financial aid packages from the schools. On Monday, one of the schools came through with a Merit Scholarship worth 15K per year for 4 years. Needless to say, we are thrilled, as we weren't expecting it as her SAT/ACT scores were "average" for both her #1 and #2 choices. She does have a great GPA, excellent class rank/ECs/community service, and submitted a great portfolio (not required at any of the schools). She was also offered 5K from another school further down on her list shortly after her acceptance.</p>
<p>However, this offer is from her #2 choice, and although she says she would be happy going there (or even our state U, which is #3 on her list), she is still hoping to be able to attend school #1, which H and I both feel would be the best "fit" for her, too. However, there is no way we can afford it and we don't think we will get much in the way of need-based aid. </p>
<p>My question is this: Is it "kosher" to let school #1 know what she was offered from #2 and let them know that she definitely wants to be with them? Do schools ever take into consideration another school's offer and try to match it? I don't want to do anything that would jeapordize her receiving an offer from #1. And, if this is OK - when should be contact #1? I thought that this would get easier once she got accepted - little did I know that the "Stress-Part 2" has just begun! Thanks for any and all help!</p>
<p>Try searching "negotiate," "negotiation" and "negotiating." This comes up a lot every year, though you are early this season. Also n-word, haggling, wheedling, begging, prostrate, cap-in-hand, ....</p>
<p>First, do both schools offer merit scholarships? Not all do. If school #1 is a need only school, they may or maynot improve their offer, but they are unlikely to match anything. Most schools will tell you they don't negotiate, but most have an appeal process. I gently suggested that they might have missed something in our application as several peer institutions offered better aid. This left them an opportunity to improve the offer without negotiating outright. I wouldn't do anything until she is accepted at school #1. If they don't want her upfront, they obviously won't negotiate, and they may pleasantly surprise you with the first offer.</p>
<p>"My question is this: Is it "kosher" to let school #1 know what she was offered from #2 and let them know that she definitely wants to be with them? Do schools ever take into consideration another school's offer and try to match it? I don't want to do anything that would jeapordize her receiving an offer from #1. And, if this is OK - when should be contact #1? I thought that this would get easier once she got accepted - little did I know that the "Stress-Part 2" has just begun! Thanks for any and all help! "</p>
<p>I think it is fine, we did it with each school. It's a different relationship when there's another possibility out there. Several schools knew my D was offered full rides elsewhere and found ways to match or improve their offers. It might have been through an additional small scholarship. </p>
<p>It's going to depend on what you bring to the table to however. Not to be offensive, but if there's 10 others out there with exactly the same numbers and they don't have a problem with the funding, you don't have any leverage. Between my S and D (3years) I've seen competition for kids go up if the kids are of a certain level. </p>
<p>This is also why you pick several schools. Take the best offer that works for you. College is what you make it to be. A good student will be a good student anywhere. Both mine went to their #2's because the #2's tried harder to get them. They both wouldn't trade their choices for anything. </p>
<p>What I did find with the #1's was once they knew they were our first choice the dynamic changed in the conversations.</p>
<p>There are many issues involved in "negotiating". First of all unless the schools tend to be close in selectivity, it is usually pointless. (Or if the offering school is much higher in selectivity). Also, there needs to be tact exercised in the whole process, because many schools are very sensitive about this issue. Some are not, and encourage it, and if your school is one of those, that's fine. But many are not, and do not want to encourge "dickering". Since she is not yet in School 1, I suggest sending an update including all info that has occurred that a school might want to know, not just the merit award from College #2. If it is a competing college, you had better believe they will note it. If it is not on their radar screen, well, who knows if it'll make any difference. You should also let the school know that they are the first choice. </p>
<p>If this is purely a merit award, and your fin aid numbers are solid, there isn't much you can do once the packages arrive. The onus is now on fin aid rather than admissions to make the decisions, and the merit pouch tends to be dry at this point. You can request a re-look and if there are some areas that could be intepreted differently or new needs, that may be taken into account, but usually this is not so fruitful. I would still try, because you are 100% not going to get more if you do not, but be aware that this is not likely to happen. Sometimes two like schools interpret things differently using their IMs, and if you let one know and they find the discrepancey, they may make a change, but this is for need awards, not merit.</p>
<p>Actually, she has been accepted to her #1 school - also Early Action. It is a much smaller school than #2, but seems to offer Merit Aid. It is also a more selective school, I believe than #2. I guess I will have to do some more research into this. Thanks for all of the suggestions so far! (and, it is also only 1 hour away from home vs: #2, which is 4 hours away!)</p>
<p>Comparing the one school that is a regional masters- university and the other which seems to be a national university but "3rd" tier- just going by US News rankings for convience sake- I think they seem to be comparable- just because while the one does have a lower acceptance rate- you could also argue that a university that is considered to be national- ranks higher.</p>
<p>Emersons average merit award is around $11,000 & 24 % receive merit- so if your D is in the top 25% of the students applying- I would think she would have a good shot with updating them re awards and acheivements-</p>